Conversion to HDTV

[retiredhappy]

When all the TV programming converts only to HDTV will we no longer be able to get TV with our antennas?

[AlmostThere]

That's correct!

[Acadianmom]

I think it goes by your TV not the antenna. Your TV has to be able to receive a digital signal. If it is an analog TV you will need a converter box. They are making everyone crazy with all this. You can go to http://www.dtv.gov and it will tell you more than you want to know.

Martha

[MsBHaven]

I believe Martha is correct. I bought a 19" HDTV for Ms"B"Haven and I love that TV! What a great picture and more channels. Well worth the money in my opinion.

[rvgrammy1953]

The conversion is from analog (old over the air by antenna) signal to an (over the air, new) DIGITAL signal.....HD- High Definition is the next level up...this is a new signal received by satellite to a cable company or Satellite Service........Feb. 17,2009 is when the "analog" (old signal) goes away and everything goes to the digital signal (new).....Most new TVs already are digital...but if you have an older TV you will need an converter box to receive signal......New TVs are either Digital or High Def.....you can get the digital signal on both........as far as your antenna goes....if you have a Digital or HD TV, you should be able to use your present antenna without anything extra....but they do have digital antennas, if you feel you need one....If you are not sure, have the antenna tested for digital signal......( I knew all that tech training I received from working for Radio Shack would pay off someday.... )

Okay, hope this helps.....this is how it was explained to us a couple of years ago when we bought our 17" digital TV.....HDTV is great and the picture is wonderful.....but digital TV is cheaper and the picture is great too......

[Bethers]

And, to make this more confusing - you MIGHT need to upgrade your antenna - some are fine, some older ones might need to be replaced or upgraded to make sure they bring in all the signals. (Or so I was told by someone who should know.)

[oregontocal]

Gee, maybe that's why the big tree demolished my antenna a few days ago--it knew I'd have to get a new one anyway.

[Sparkle]

What I read was if your antenna is painted, white, grey or whatever, you'll need a new one. If its silver metal color you'll be fine. Maybe they were pulling my leg...I'll believe anything.

[oregontocal]

What if it's white, but in pieces?

[Sparkle]

Then you is chit out of luck!

[oregontocal]

Since the only thing I use the TV for is watching DVDs, I'm just going to remove the antenna and do something with the hole that's left (plant flowers?). The TV will be nice in the house anyway, and I'll also have more storage in the RV.

[Getupngo]

You're supposed to be able to connect your RV non-HD TVs through the hdtv converter box, but I couldn't quite figure out how to do it. I'll try again after the THAW (my rig is snowed in)!

[WickedLady]

I bought my converter box, the Artec T3AP Pro, thru solidsignal.com It can be used either 12V or 110AC and has the pass thru that allows you to get the stations that are not going digital. With the government coupon it cost only a small bit for shipping.
Marda

[Nasoosie]

Thanks for this info, Mardi......I have a converter box, but it's AC powered, so, if I am boondocking and need it, I can't use it! (And that would be the ONLY time I would need it, as my AC TV has a digital tuner built in!)

I didn't think far enough ahead....I've had this digital converter box for over a year now. I have one 12 volt analog TV I can use while boondocking, and will now need to order a 12 volt converter.

Sigh...it's always something!

[Cedar518]

Soos,..... run your generator!