Going Digital? Is It Really Worth It? - Blu-ray Forum

steve1971 · 04-30-2009, 06:41 PM

On June 12th I believe it is all tv signals will be going digital. I think some areas in the U.S have already converted but not yet here in Minnesota, not until June 12th. My question is is this really going to be worth it? I mean will we really see a difference in picture and sound quality with or HDTV's? I have read that some say yes and some say no. I just think personally if the pic and sound quality will not change then why even bother with it? Why waste the time and money? If anything have all signals be 720p or 1080i now that would be worth it.

Any thoughts?

Another_Dude · 04-30-2009, 06:44 PM

Digital signal uses much less bandwidth. Not a direct benifit to you, but it will allow the cable companies to provide more services/channels/etc.

jkwest · 04-30-2009, 06:45 PM

its so the FCC can spy on us..I heard about it on the internet.

Brandon · 04-30-2009, 07:34 PM

All I know is that it sucks for me because I've been using an HD antennae to get the basic network channels in HD for free...a couple of the stations here already made the switch so I've lost 3 of the 6 channels I started with

Uniquely · 04-30-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonT

All I know is that it sucks for me because I've been using an HD antennae to get the basic network channels in HD for free...a couple of the stations here already made the switch so I've lost 3 of the 6 channels I started with

Get a digital tuner for ~$40

toef · 04-30-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkwest

its so the FCC can spy on us..I heard about it on the internet.

Yes, there are cameras in those converter boxes. Beware.

steve1971 · 04-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonT

All I know is that it sucks for me because I've been using an HD antennae to get the basic network channels in HD for free...a couple of the stations here already made the switch so I've lost 3 of the 6 channels I started with

Your best bet would be a converter box or sign up with a cable or dish network.

My_Two_Cents · 04-30-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonT

All I know is that it sucks for me because I've been using an HD antennae to get the basic network channels in HD for free...a couple of the stations here already made the switch so I've lost 3 of the 6 channels I started with

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you are currently able to get OTA HD channels, then that means your set already has a digital tuner, and you should NOT be affected by the switch. I think you just need to find out what the new channels are and reprogram your TV.

Converter boxes are only for those with older sets that cannot receive a digital signal. If you can receive channel XX.X, then you're okay.

brettallica · 04-30-2009, 08:55 PM

For the immediate time being, the standard definition digital channels are terrible to watch on an HDTV. That being said, the only way you get HD channels is if you have a digital service, as all HD programming is digital from what I understand.

From what I've been able to see with my own eyes, a regular analog signal looks better on a 4:3 television with a NTSC tuner than a digital signal does when it's coming from a digital box. So for right now, it's going to really $uck for those who still have a 4:3 TV with no digital tuner and are forced to use a digital-to-analog signal converter. I haven't seen a 4:3 set with a digital tuner and how it handles a digital signal, but I'm assuming it's at least a little better. The problem with that is there aren't many 4:3 sets with a digital tuner; most are analog.

In time, though, 16:9 TVs will be the norm, and it is my personal belief -- although I have no proof to back this up -- that your standard definition digital broadcasts will come through with much better picture than they do now. Part of that is because I'm sure you'll start to see standard-def pictures in a matching ratio, so we won't get stretching and all that.

Brandon · 04-30-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you are currently able to get OTA HD channels, then that means your set already has a digital tuner, and you should NOT be affected by the switch. I think you just need to find out what the new channels are and reprogram your TV.

Converter boxes are only for those with older sets that cannot receive a digital signal. If you can receive channel XX.X, then you're okay.

Hmm yeah that might be true actually. I'm gonna go see if those channels just moved to another number.

Brandon · 04-30-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve1971

Your best bet would be a converter box or sign up with a cable or dish network.

Well that's what I'm trying to avoid though, paying for cable. It is such an addiction...

Anthony P · 05-02-2009, 03:18 PM

digital looks better. But as Another_Dude pointed out, that is not the reason. Here are the reasons

1)a single standard is easier, having a cut off date makes it easier then some stations changing one year while others change an other year, some only digital others only analogue and others having both but not being exactly the same programming

2) digital takes a lot less BW, that is why you can have sub channels and it is also freeing up some of the spectrum (at either end) which the government can resell for other purposes.

OrlandoEastwood · 05-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Hawaii went digital back on January 15th. Those converter boxes sold like crazy and I was without television for a week until I could get my hands on one of the boxes at Wal-Mart. I got one of the government cards for $40 off and I only spent $12 on my converter box.

Brandon · 05-02-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you are currently able to get OTA HD channels, then that means your set already has a digital tuner, and you should NOT be affected by the switch. I think you just need to find out what the new channels are and reprogram your TV.

Converter boxes are only for those with older sets that cannot receive a digital signal. If you can receive channel XX.X, then you're okay.

that worked, thanks. good thing I have people here who know what they're talking about to tell me what's up

My_Two_Cents · 05-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonT

that worked, thanks. good thing I have people here who know what they're talking about to tell me what's up

Glad it worked out. I've had the same thing happen to me, and have had to run the channel search function in order to find the new channels.

jw · 05-02-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toefer

Yes, there are cameras in those converter boxes. Beware.

I guess you better hit the closet, they cant see you there , yet!!

04-30-2009, 06:41 PM	#1
steve1971 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Saint Paul Minnesota. 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:352 Blu-ray reviews: 119 Trading Score:1	Going Digital? Is It Really Worth It? On June 12th I believe it is all tv signals will be going digital. I think some areas in the U.S have already converted but not yet here in Minnesota, not until June 12th. My question is is this really going to be worth it? I mean will we really see a difference in picture and sound quality with or HDTV's? I have read that some say yes and some say no. I just think personally if the pic and sound quality will not change then why even bother with it? Why waste the time and money? If anything have all signals be 720p or 1080i now that would be worth it. Any thoughts?

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04-30-2009, 06:44 PM	#2
Another_Dude Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:191 Blu-ray reviews:8	Digital signal uses much less bandwidth. Not a direct benifit to you, but it will allow the cable companies to provide more services/channels/etc.

04-30-2009, 06:45 PM	#3
jkwest Off-Topic King Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Northern California PSN Id: jkwest5 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:20	its so the FCC can spy on us..I heard about it on the internet.

04-30-2009, 07:34 PM	#4
Brandon Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:41 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:8	All I know is that it sucks for me because I've been using an HD antennae to get the basic network channels in HD for free...a couple of the stations here already made the switch so I've lost 3 of the 6 channels I started with

04-30-2009, 08:55 PM	#9
brettallica Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Santa Cruz, California Home Theater Gallery:51 Blu-ray collection:79 Trading Score:6	For the immediate time being, the standard definition digital channels are terrible to watch on an HDTV. That being said, the only way you get HD channels is if you have a digital service, as all HD programming is digital from what I understand. From what I've been able to see with my own eyes, a regular analog signal looks better on a 4:3 television with a NTSC tuner than a digital signal does when it's coming from a digital box. So for right now, it's going to really $uck for those who still have a 4:3 TV with no digital tuner and are forced to use a digital-to-analog signal converter. I haven't seen a 4:3 set with a digital tuner and how it handles a digital signal, but I'm assuming it's at least a little better. The problem with that is there aren't many 4:3 sets with a digital tuner; most are analog. In time, though, 16:9 TVs will be the norm, and it is my personal belief -- although I have no proof to back this up -- that your standard definition digital broadcasts will come through with much better picture than they do now. Part of that is because I'm sure you'll start to see standard-def pictures in a matching ratio, so we won't get stretching and all that.

05-02-2009, 03:18 PM	#12
Anthony P Blu-ray Count Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Montreal, Canada	digital looks better. But as Another_Dude pointed out, that is not the reason. Here are the reasons 1)a single standard is easier, having a cut off date makes it easier then some stations changing one year while others change an other year, some only digital others only analogue and others having both but not being exactly the same programming 2) digital takes a lot less BW, that is why you can have sub channels and it is also freeing up some of the spectrum (at either end) which the government can resell for other purposes.

05-02-2009, 03:27 PM	#13
OrlandoEastwood Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:R-Point Blu-ray reviews:86 Trading Score:24	Hawaii went digital back on January 15th. Those converter boxes sold like crazy and I was without television for a week until I could get my hands on one of the boxes at Wal-Mart. I got one of the government cards for $40 off and I only spent $12 on my converter box.

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