Digital Conversion Stinks!*

*but it's getting better.

Having written a full page on my saga with digital converter boxes, I clicked publish - and lost every word! I don't know if I have it in me to repeat it....losing a post just saps all my energy! But I'll try.

After I wrote about my problems with it before, I got the email below from a nice man in Ohio . Trying some of his suggestions, I can now get four channels on my office TV; not the ones I would prefer, but something other than wrestling and courtroom shows.....which is what it was before. I can now see the local CBS affiliate and FOX. I suppose I can make do with those two, even though I prefer ABC.

Here's what I did: I hooked up a newer rabbit ears antenna that I stole from a bedroom TV here, and I moved the antenna to sit on my desk in front of a window. I did another scan for channels and picked up three more, in addition to the one I found before. The reception is perfect = remember - this TV is over 35 years old. I think the antenna almost HAS to sit by a window. Mine is not in the most convenient spot, but I'll get used to it, I guess.

Just in case something in Dennis' email can help you, here it is:

Hi:

Ended up on your blog site through Google searches I have set up for many subjects of interest to me.
I am curious. What brand are your boxes?
A problem I had initially with my 2 Magnavox converters was the tv channel.
In my area channel 3 is a regular station and channel 4 is dead.
Every converter I have seen so far defaults to channel 3. You can change this on setup or in a very few cases, on the back of the box (switch 3 or 4). If you have no switch, then put your tv on 3 before plugging the converter in. Plug converter in and go from there. Now that analog is dead, you might as well use the default and leave your tv on 3.
Based on what I read, you said you and your grandson actually got through the set up process. You must scan for the box to find any live channels.

I know that in mountainous areas signals are hard to get at times. Digital signals are 25% weaker than our old reliable analog signals. Even in my area of Ohio where it is relatively flat, I get some signals half of the time, others not at all now. Many stations are in the process of adding signal boosters to some antennae towers and actually building new towers to regain old coverage areas. I figure late fall before all the kinks are ironed out.

You also need a good antennae with both vhf/uhf capabilities. Digital signals are sent via both. If you received good reception before you should have some reception now. Rescan at different times to see if you can find any channels at all.

And know that every communication avenue is filled with the complaints of those who find themselves in your same situation.

Good luck.
Dennis

Dennis also sent me the link to this article, where you may find help, or commiseration!


In my quest to get ABC on this TV, I have 2 more options. I can attempt to hook up this tv to the antenna in our attic, and I can use a cable splitter to hook it to the cable. The last time I tried that, it made me lose my connection on the computer often, so I don't want to try that again unless it is my only hope. Apparently, you can only split a cable signal just so many ways before service starts to degrade. I hope this helps some of you who are struggling to get your TVs going again.