OTA HD signal boosted after 2/17/09?

[tron3]

I recall reading somewhere the current OTA transmission signal will be boosted after 2/17/09 when analog goes away. Can anyone confirm, or was that just wishful thinking on the part of someone here?

I re-ran the tuner on my one HDTV last night too see what it captures in both analog and digital. There are a number of analog stations with no current digital equivilent. At least none I am receiving and I'm only miles away from the Empire State Building transmitter in NJ. But those stations might be other transmitters.

Could this mean more digital channels for me on 2/17 when those (UHF) stations can no longer transmit? My9 used to be a solid station, but lately I've completely lost the channel, other times I have it with some digital breakup.

Anyone? Anyone?
Beuller? Beuller?

[slaizer2000]

not every station has switched or started broadcasting in digital yet.
In addition digital signals are not as strong as current analog signals so they do not travel as far.

Some people who used to get analog signals may not get some of those signals when they switch to digital depending on how far they are from the stations.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

...In addition digital signals are not as strong as current analog signals so they do not travel as far. ....

That is because most of the OTA broadcast is in the UHF frequency. UHF inheritly has problems penetrating solid structures because they tend to bounce off. VHF simply passed through.

With that being said, shouldn't the signal strength be boosted for those people who might lose a TV signal forever? Either that or start building new transmitter towers.

I predict a small degree of chaos. The government will either "work through the issue", or Obama will step in and save the day for analog enthusiasts by extending the deadline... which was already extended from 2006. I would not be a bit surprised if the FCC turned analog back on.

[wallendo]

There are some station which have to keep their digital output low to avoid interference with current analog channels. These stations will be able to increase output.

Delaying the switchover won't help, although Obama will probably push through a delay.

The people who have not yet made arrangements to switch to digital signals by now will not make the switch until after their analog signal is gone. Delaying the switchover will not have the intended effect of allowing these people to transition to digital. The government needs to go ahead and get it over with (besides, these people can use the $1000 Obama wants to give everybody as an economic stimulus to buy a converter.)

Unfortunately, some people will not be able to receive a digital signal (primarily rural areas). I live 80 miles from the nearest commercial stations and cannot receive OTA broadcasts - I use cable.The government may need to subsidize some sort of "basic satellite" service for the poor.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by wallendo

....The government may need to subsidize some sort of "basic satellite" service for the poor.

They did. It's called OTA. (Over the Air)

We all know it will start out noble and just grow into another behemoth to suck dollars out of the tax paying public pocket books. At this rate, my prediction will come true. The end of free broadcast TV.

[Bobby Henderson]

Most local television stations are running their DTV broadcasts at low wattage levels to conserve power and save money. If you live a short distance from the tower or have a really great OTA antenna setup you may be able to pick up those low power channels already.

I've been in contact with general managers and engineers at a couple of TV stations in my viewing market. They say the general plan is to start broadcasting the DTV signal at full power around the end of January or early in February.

Many stations have had to install new transmission equipment and other gear to get ready. Right now there is a whole lot of testing taking place. If any TV station is going to wait until Feb. 17 to flip the switch to full power they need to already know if their hardware works flawlessly. Going full power at the end of this month or beginning of February would provide at least a couple of weeks of grace period to work out any bugs before the analog transmission is turned off permanently.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by wallendo

The government may need to subsidize some sort of "basic satellite" service for the poor.

What? The last time I looked, television is a privilege, not a right.

[Sonny]

The stations better not flake out on making the switch...