Just as this blog posted over a year ago under the headline “Down with cable up with online and DTV“, cable TV is challenged by alternatives offered today. Even of you need some tech skills and patience while getting what you want to your set. But on the other hand – your new resources will offer you more time when you decide when and what to watch on your screen.

To stay tuned with your favorite shows on the set -  doesnt have to include a monthly payment to a cable giant. How bout that?

The goal is to get more for less and gain freedom from set monthly bills and cable companies that actually exclude the wealth of alternative and mainstream resources of content that are gaining in importance and quality.

This blog and the Times article has offered two ways of skipping cable – do you have any other to share?

Best / Anders

If you are using a TIVO today or thinking about getting one, make sure to get the model do convert signals to analog TV.

Check list of TIVO HDTV models here and to check if your TIVO converts the DTV signals- use the service here.

Enjoy the TIVO campaign on YouTube and find your way to cross the chasm to DTV.

My only question is why he has three converterboxes. The only reason I can see is to enable recording of another channel then the one you are watching and if there are more then one TV-set connected to the antenna. And, you want to watch different channels on that one.

Over to Bill.

———

1.  My Setup

Radio Shack “starship enterprise antenna”

Insignia DTV converter box

Zenith DTV converter box

2 x Series II Tivo 80 hr

2 x Samsung 32 inch HDTVs (with the digital turner built in)

Fat wallet because I got rid of cable

The Antenna is sitting in my closet and hooked directly into where the cable source used to be in my basement.  So without explaining it all I basically have a digital over the air signal to all rooms in my house using the same old cables. The cables are old and the are being split about 10 times throughout the house.  I’m lucky and live close to a city and have a strong signal for all channels.  That is a BIG factor in having this work successfully.

I purchased the converter boxes using the two coupons provided by the government.  They were purchased at different times.  See the links and you’ll notice that the products are exactly the same.  The only difference is that one says zenith and one insignia.  Each box is identical.  Currently both are for sale at these prices: Insignia at best buy – $60  Zenith at Sears/Kmart – $50.  No sale at Sears or anything, it’s just that much. Not sure what the deal is there but they work the same so go to sears or kmart.

I recommend the zenith converter boxes because they support 4:3 or 16:9 and work very will with the tivo series 2 that I have.  Magnavox converter box did not support anything and sucked really bad.  I had to return the magnavox to kmart because it was the only one.

Anyway,  you’ll need the purple ir cable that came with the tivo in order to set the tivo up with the converter.

The series II tivo works very, very well with the converter box.  Channels are changed using the tivo remote and it works perfectly.

The tivo records in 16:9 for shows broadcast in that format.  It looks fantastic on the hdtvs even though it is a low resolution connection.  With cable I could only record in 4:3 this was a huge bonus that I didn’t think about when first setting this up.  It is almost like having a hdtivo.

Set up the converter box correctly and all shows will display and record in their correct aspect ratio and everything will look great.

I don’t have many channels but I usually watched the local channels anyway.  I record what I want and watch it when I have time.  Other stuff can be seen on the web so I don’t feel as if I’m missing out.

I recommend this setup if you are thinking about it.  Do it.  Cancel cable and get free tv.  Call them now.  Tell them you don’t need their overpriced content anymore.  Unless you have cable internet then only half cancel cable, be nice about it.

—

Thanks Tom!

ANDERS,
I’m most gratified I found your site and having read the following… ‘ There are only a handful of broadcast locations across the U.S. that have plans to remain 100% on the UHF band, most areas will have both VHF and UHF digital stations.”
and ” The antenna should be VHF/UHF capable, unless you are absolutely certain all of your stations are currently UHF, and will remain UHF after the digital transition is complete.”
and”best advice is to purchase a TV antenna that is large enough to be certain it can easily receive all of the digital broadcast signals in your area, even during poor reception conditions. The antenna should be VHF/UHF capable, unless you are absolutely certain all of your stations are currently UHF, and will remain UHF after the digital transition is complete. ring poor reception conditions.
After reading many articles and blogs this past week or so, you are the first to acknowledge the continuation of the VHF broadcast ( changing from analog to digital )as a primary signal. I must tell you that so many of the so called experts are telling people that vhf is a thing of the past with the exception of a few areas using small relay stations and two or three major cities will only be using vhf digital
People whom are questioning so many of these experts (because they get so much conflicting information) simply get treated, or talked back to as if there idiots, and are being convienced that unless it is a very unusual situation, all they need is a UHF anntenna and maybe an ampifier. To make things worse ,in my area the stores are over flowing with antennas, UHF antennas with max. distances of 15 to 50 miles, a few with VHF. The store personnal are trained that all one needs is UHF and that the VHF is usless after Feb. WE KNOW THATS NOT TRUE !!
I Live in a rural setting about 55 miles south of Cleveland, Ohio I have an outdoor 120 mile VHF/80mile UHF antenna , I’ve been receiving digital tv for about 4 maybe 5 years now. Currently I receive 44 channels. 1/2 0f which are uhf and 1/2 are vhf One can only imgine where I’de be if I followed others advice and got an hdtv uhf attenna.
Note; to help with the reception do to the fact of weather conditions and when the breeze bloows I do plan on installing an ‘outdoor inline ampifier’ and/or installing a larger ‘vhf/uhf directional antenna’ (one or both should help with the ‘break up’of the digital transmitsion both short and long range )
YOU”VE GIVEN GOOD AND CORRECT INFORMATION HERE AND I THANKYOU FOR IT AND FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING MISSLED MOSTLY!

Whyisn’t the gov giving this type info out?

Let go of your expensive cable TV subscription. Instead make a new combination for your viewing habits with online viewing and a live TV-set together with no cost per month digital-TV.

The thing is to question why in heaven you really need cable TV. It is on it´s way to become old fashioned. Also, it is fairly expensive. You are stuck with a limited selection of TV-channels, you need to set your watch to not miss out on your favorite show and it is really not very flexible. Convenient, yes, and a habit, yes, for now.

But think about it. If you unplugg your cable TV you will save at least $30 a month. Keep your internet connection for maybe $20 a month. Get a converterbox for digital TV and hook it up to your TV set and you will have acccess to local and national TV stations for news and local information. That is a one time cost of $60. (check your antenna though). In two months time you start to save money. And gain in flexibility.

Then log on to you tube, nbc.com, hulu, itunes and many more outlets of on-demand TV and video.

I can recommend an apple TV or maybe an Xbox that can provide you with movies and podcasts. Did you know that most of the newschannels that you can watch on your TV set are available as podcasts? It´s great. You dont need to set your watch to view the show and you skip commercials. I think podcasts are the biggest thing since TV came to earth. Also, it is fully loaded with new formats for niché TV. I use Itunes, Ipodtouch and an Apple TV to keep up in the news flow and get inspiration. I watch podcasts more than broadcasts. It is a relieve for anyone with kids (you decide when, where and what you view).

Also, there is more on your way. Youtube will release old movies and TV-shows from MGM. More people watched Saturday Night Live with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin online than as a broadcast, writes Mike Musgrove at Washingtonpost. That is a sign if any.

Now you can start deciding about your money and your habits. Crisis and change come with possibilities.

Best /Anders

One reader of this blog sent in a story, about her families thughts and struggle to get DTV working in a region were the weather newscasts are central. Please feel free to comment or send advise / knowledge.Or if you have similar experiences.

“I have a concern about receiving uninterrupted critical TV
weather coverage here during severe storms and tornado
warnings once analog transmissions are discontinued.

My husband is trying out a digital converter, and we can
consistently receive only one station! We are able to receive
8-10 analog stations using the same antenna!

When dangerous weather approaches, following the path of
severe storms or the path of tornados is very reliable on
analog stations, but as soon as the weather surrounds us,

the digital station is effectively blacked-out! This is similar

to the way that satellite TV transmissions are blocked.

It is assumed that even if we are forced to buy a decibel
power-gain appliance and power-up our antenna reception,
we will still be without critical weather warning broadcasts
when they are needed the most as digital signals are
unreliable at best when blanketed by heavy weather…

Can you help me understand how rural America will be
notified of severe weather and kept safe (as possible) when
analog weather newscasts are no longer available?

I believe this is a very valid concern that should be

addressed immediately with everyone who is vulnerable to

such severe weather threats.

Thank you.

Sharon, MO, USA

Tomorrow will actually be the more interesting day. That is when people realize that their TV sets have gone dark, the DTV box maybe don’t work. So, my prediction is that there will be lines forming outside retailers when people need help. But on Thursday, most of this will be sorted out.

Also, watch C-spans coverage of the event. There will be a huge media effect following this first “test switch”, hundreds of articles and news pieces have already been reporting on the event. And that is the best way to inform the general audience about the upcoming change. It is a “signal” to each and everyone that the transition to DTV is and will be taking place. Also, it is a test if the weather have effect on DTV. Since a storm hit Wilmington as the transition took place as Washington Post reported.

It is showtime in Wilmington, as Washington Post blogger Kim Hart, put it.

Anders Bjers

Speculations are dense about what will happen at tomorrows Apple event. Will there be a new Ipod or even a new Apple TV?

The spark that caught my attention was a tech blog post on Forbes about one persons wish about the Apple TV. That it would get a DTV tuner, Blu-ray player and more. A fully equiped livingroom saviour for people affected by the DTV switch next year. Or why not everyone looking for something else to watch than traditional broadcast or cable TV. Peter S Magnusson is a Swedish entrepeneur in Silicon Valley. He blogs about how he wishes the Apple TV do more, be more and become a commodity for the massses, perhaps?

He predicts the birth of the Apple TV 3.0.

I am all for that. My Apple TV is the best way to watch TV content. I love it. Easy to use. Great selection of podcasts, that for me is the same as ordinary TV. Who can tell the difference? There are many innovative podcast shows thaht bring fresh ideas and content to the old tube, even now when it is flat.. Also it is a saviour for families with kids, when you might watch Nightly News, Meet the Press at your own terms.

The remote control is a killer – not a single DTV box maker can match Apples simple remote that anyone can handle. And people need that. DTV boxes are far to complicated and hard to use for anyone.

So, if Apple get the idea of mixing DTV with the Apple TV I can only praise them for doing one more smart move, and it is about time.

I wrote about another match between Apple and DTV months ago – check here..

Go Apple TV 3.0.

/ Anders Bjers

Many have made comments on this blog and asked about more details for the converter box. One commentator has pinpointed a great thing about having one converterbox for the whole house – it won´t use as much energy as having several boxes within the house. Thinking lean and green is a smart thing.

However, I asked Mr. Ari Miettinen at A2B, the company who is producing the so called Multibox, if it is sold on the U.S market yet and what their plans are. Ari told me that the model that they sell in Europe does not work in the U.S due to the different standard for broadcasts in the U.S (ATSC).

Mr. Miettinen say that they do understand the great interest in the U.S for a Multibox. And they are developing something for the U.S market. But, they can’t say anything yet about the plans or time until something is ready to be launched.

So my advice to you who are interested in a Multibox is to send an e-mail to A2B, expressing your interest for the U.S version of the Multibox. That might speed up the process. And by the way – ask your local DTV retailer if they have anything like it – if not give them a heads up on this one..

Anders Bjers

Obama comments on the switch to DTV, something that will take place only four weeks after the new president is sworn in. Obama say that he supports the coalition between the public and private to make a transition that is “without significant disruption”. Obama also comments on the media structure in the U.S and else that is on his agenda. He identifies that the Internet is a form of distribution and natural force that is significant for the development of democracy.

You can find th whole Q&A on Broadcasting & Cable.

Anders Bjers