Digitial TV converter box users

[BryceC]

Does anybody have any recommendations for getting channel 5 to come in? We hooked up our converter box a few weeks ago and instead of being a little fuzzy channel 5 is completely unwatchable. Frankly this digital conversion thing sucks from my perspective.

 

[cyking]

need to adjust your antenna.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Does anybody have any recommendations for getting channel 5 to come in? We hooked up our converter box a few weeks ago and instead of being a little fuzzy channel 5 is completely unwatchable. Frankly this digital conversion thing sucks from my perspective.

I've always had trouble with channel 5. It seems to be the weakest of the bunch. Are you running on rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna? I imagine that many, many people are going to be upset by the boxes- any time that you put one more thing between the signal and the tv, you get less signal strength.

 

[mred]

I wouldn't put too much effort into getting 5 right now. Since their analog signal is on RF channel 5, their digital signal is on a UHF frequency. After the conversion in February, once the analog is shut down they are moving their digital signal onto RF channel 5 (one of few stations nationwide who will be broadcasting digital on a low-VHF channel -- channels 2 through 5). At that time, it might be easier or harder to get them in, but it'll definitely be different than it is now. Any effort you put in now might just be duplicated in late February.

 

[mred]

I imagine that many, many people are going to be upset by the boxes- any time that you put one more thing between the signal and the tv, you get less signal strength.

That won't really be an issue here, since the converter boxes are what's actually tuning the signal.

It is true that you should limit what's on your line though. My parents had their antenna going to the VCR first (to record analog while it's still around), and then the RF out on the VCR went to their converter box. They discovered that the VCR, even when off, attenuated the signal much more that just using a splitter to send the antenna line to both the converter and the VCR separately.

 

[Cyclonepride]

That won't really be an issue here, since the converter boxes are what's actually tuning the signal.

It is true that you should limit what's on your line though. My parents had their antenna going to the VCR first (to record analog while it's still around), and then the RF out on the VCR went to their converter box. They discovered that the VCR, even when off, attenuated the signal much more that just using a splitter to send the antenna line to both the converter and the VCR separately.

I disagree if you are comparing signal strength between having the box tune the signal versus the tv tuner doing it itself. Obviously the best way to go would be to have a tv that is digital already.

 

[brycy]

I am not sure what is going on with Ch 5. I used to have no problem getting and for the past couple of weeks no luck. There is a chance the high winds may have rotated my antenna some I suppose. I love the digital picture and of course the HD of some broadcast, but if you live in an area that you get more then just Des Moines channels it is almost impossible to get a balance where you can switch back and forth between channels without having to adjust your antenna. Was nice getting a couple of Fox channels for watching different NFL games.