Give the digital TV switch a better reception
About 400 TV stations are shutting off their analog broadcasts at midnight tonight as part of the nation's switch to all-digital signals. But the new era hasn't gotten off to a great start for some viewers.
As we noted in a story today, some people are getting fewer channels -- even though they did everything the government and broadcasters told them to do as part of the DTV transition. The problems generally stem from the different technological characteristics of digital signals versus analog.
Many people, including viewers of the major broadcast networks in Los Angeles, have nearly four more months to get ready because Congress allowed stations to delay the switch until June 12. One key to improving your reception during that time appears to be upgrading your antenna.
A few readers have pointed me toward the YouTube video, shown above, on how to make your own digital TV antenna using equipment that would make MacGyver proud: six wire clothes hangers, a piece of wood, a dozen washers and a variety of other household items. Assembly doesn't look too difficult -- about the same level of expertise as required ...
... for building a Pinewood Derby car for Cub Scouts. But I haven't tried it so can't vouch for how well it works.
Though there's a certain Rube Goldberg quality to the device, one thing is undoubtedly true -- it's pretty ugly. Even Ross Voorhees, the guy who made the video, suggests you keep it behind your TV set because, he says, "it isn't the best looking-thing in the world."
Here are some more tips I've compiled:
- Skip the automatic scan: Some converter boxes scan too quickly for digital channels. If you’re having trouble receiving stations you received in analog, try overriding the automatic scan and manually inputting the channel. But be advised: Digital channels are moving. Call the station and find out the correct channel to tune in.
- Focus on the antenna: Move your indoor antenna to find the best location, such as by a window with an unobstructed view. If you have a rooftop antenna, make sure it's pointed in the right direction. AntennaWeb.org can help: Enter your address and it will tell you what direction to aim the antenna for specific stations. If those fail, consider upgrading, if possible, from rabbit ears to an amplified indoor antenna or to a rooftop antenna.
- Wait for the final transition: Some stations will move their digital signal to a new channel after turning off their analog transmissions. The new channels often provide better reception. Also, some stations will be boosting the power of their digital signal at that point as well. Contact the stations you are having trouble receiving to find out what they’re doing.
-- Jim Puzzanghera
Talk about hassle...you people can complain about less stations and you live in LA... some of us live more than 50 miles from the nearest television station (unless you count the 30 local stations that don't have any North American programming)...The DTV law should have also required a minimum broadcast power standard, otherwise it is just nonsense to even have a switch over...
While we're talking about switchovers...wasn't it great how a couple weeks after obama talked about making rural broadband available to all, he signed a bill to delay rural cellular broadband availablility by at least 6 months...well, at least we'll get television for six more months, err not: all the non-pbs stations near me have announced they're turning off their analog broadcasts: so thanks obama, for not only delaying rural broadband, but doing no bit of good for rural dwellers in the process.
Posted by: Media Scatter | February 17, 2009 at 01:36 PM
No kidding about the hassle. First it's the converter box coupon shuffle and now the oopsie about the antenna. Well, I not playing the game. When the plug gets pulled, my TV will become "just a box" until I find the time to send the thing to the recycler. You advertisers and government propagandists will just have to try harder to get your message to me.
Posted by: BruceFromHB | February 17, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Not even articles about the (non) switch to digital television are immune to Obama-bashing :(
Posted by: FrostyFreeze | February 17, 2009 at 02:24 PM
with a good rootop antenna the digital signals can be received up to 60-70 miles out, if there's line of sight to mount wilson!
with indoors antennas there's need to be a window facing towards mt. wilson and no large obstruction in the line of sight!
i use a usb tune with a small 2inch stub antenna for for my macbook pro and i have no problems getting all stations avail. in the L.A. area...!
Posted by: smokeonit | February 17, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Wow, what a bunch of clueless whiners. The Rainbow Bubbas who couldn't understand the barrage of PSAs for the last year won't make it by June either. Our Congress InAction.
- If you live in a rural area, get satellite TV, read a book, Or move! Duh. Quit Whining!
- Get a decent, compact antenna at Big Lots for $10 or so.
- Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes cost about $60 without the coupon. Watching television is your choice - just buy the box and Quit Whining! I recommend the Zenith DTT-901 or the equivalent Best Buy clone.
Posted by: M. | February 17, 2009 at 04:00 PM
Tsk give Americans a choice & there'll be no change
You've guys had ((2)) years to get your act together as (OTA) TV viewers, yet still some aren't prepared. Today was just a sample of what will happen June 12th and despite the unnecessary, confusing and expensive delay, there will STILL be American procrastinators who won't be ready, despite knowing they only themselves to blame!
If you Americans are given a choice, you'll always the option of no change; just like in ending the silly dollar bill over the more logical dollar coin. A more serious issue is your idiotic need to mutilate perfectly normal penises of boys at birth (circumcision) if still allowed to choose. In BOTH scenarios, evidence proves there's a better way of doing things and you simply refuse to change. Canada enjoys both dollar coins a low circumcision rate.
In these examples, you NEED to be FORCED into something to advance a better life.
Posted by: xmccaw | February 17, 2009 at 07:12 PM
So you think its just so easy to flip a switch and be up and running with no problems. This would be nice in a perfect world;...the part I live in however is NOT perfect. And, yes, I too am in a rural area!
I'm pretty savvy with making sure our home is kept up to date and especially make sure it is ready for mandated changes, however, one can only be ready if there has been a measure of GOOD preparedness communication which gives actual facts instead of the perfect world scenario.
Sure, we were told what to do, didn't need to do anything if the TV's had a digital tuner built in.. Ok, they do. Shouldn't have to do anything since during the testing phase last summer we were able to pick up the digital signal easily. However, I will say, if that was an indication of how it would be in reality...it purely sucked.
Ok, we were ready!!! NOT.
In reality, as someone stated, the stations did not share that their channel location was moving. Nor did the whole concept let you know you would have to treat your indoor antenna just like a radio antenna...let's see, if I hold the antenna here just right and NOT let go then I might be able to catch the weather forecast! This is not to mention that our current roof antenna is suppose to suffice in picking up the signal. Let me count the times the picture freezes, pixelates, sounds distorted or just plain disappears....too numerous to keep track of and not even worth the time to watch.
So for those of you who live in your perfect worlds and think the rest of us are whiners and procrastinating change, get off your high horse and see what the REAL world is really like!!!
Posted by: my2cents | February 21, 2009 at 03:59 AM
THE PERFECT SOLUTION IS---------STOP WATCHING TV--------FORGET ABOUT IT-----FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO--------READ A BOOK------PLAY A GAME-----LEARN SOMETHING NEW-----LISTEN TO RADIO------PLAY MUSIC------LEARN TO MAKE MUSIC---WRITE A SONG---WRITE A BOOK---GO DANCING------TALK A WALK-----MAKE LOVE------TRY A NEW RECIPE---- VOULENTEER AND HELP SOMEONE-----PLANT A GARDEN-----LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE----GET A NEW HOBBY----LISTEN TO YOUR CHILDREN----START A BLOG---ENTER SWEEPSTAKES---MY GOD, PEOPLE, HOW DID THIS SURVIVE COUNTRY FOR CENTURIES WITHOUT TV??---EVERYONE WAS CERTAINLY A LOT BETTER OFF WITHOUT ALL THAT GARBAGE FILLING UP THEIR MINDS AND TAKING UP THEIR TIME !!!
Posted by: peggyyes | February 22, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Hi I live in Chili IN and I'm not sure which way to point my antenna to recieve the most stations... The funny thing is I recieve all of them during the night but very few during the day..... If someone could email me at sarah_rish25@yahoo.com and let me know that would be amazing.... I have climbed on my roof and moved my antenna like 7 times already and I just tired of it lol well let me know thanks
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Rish | June 06, 2009 at 03:42 PM