Testing HDTV Signal without HDTV

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Total newbie question here.

I'm considering purchasing a new TV with an HD Tuner. That purchase
right now depends heavily on whether or not I can receive over-the-air
HD channels. I live about 30 miles from L.A. so I should be OK, but I
was wondering if there is any way to test my ability to receive a
signal without actually having the new TV. Possible?

Thank you!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

In article <1105508507.918647.72910@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
"cbrestleNOSPAM@yahooNOSPAM.com" <cbrestle@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Total newbie question here.
>
> I'm considering purchasing a new TV with an HD Tuner. That purchase
> right now depends heavily on whether or not I can receive over-the-air
> HD channels. I live about 30 miles from L.A. so I should be OK, but I
> was wondering if there is any way to test my ability to receive a
> signal without actually having the new TV. Possible?
>
> Thank you!

One way to do it is to buy at WalMart the US Digital HDTV receiver and
an antenna. WalMart has a 30 day return policy. You can hook the tuner
up to a non-digital NTSC TV for testing.

You could try it out and if it doesn't work, return it. Unfortunately,
this solution costs at least $200 (the USDigital HDTV tuner is the
lowest cost model available but works well). It's what I did to verify
that I can receive Los Angeles DTV stations down here in northern San
Diego County before investing in an HDTV. I'm keeping the tuner for use
with our existing NTSC TV.

- Merle

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Yep no problem, but you have to find someone to lend you a digital
receiver. Most (if not all) will down convert HDTV/DTV for a 480i
picture for a high def TV.

Harry
Admin at http/www.hdtvforum.com
Check out our collection of news for 1-10-05. There a lot of CES stuff
compiled.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
<mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:

>I'm keeping the tuner for use
>with our existing NTSC TV.

Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
downconverted digital signal? Just curious

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"HDTV-slingr" <NOSPAMMERS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:h7j9u0l5mhod470djrv9qtlov9dd33chg8@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
> <mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>
>>I'm keeping the tuner for use
>>with our existing NTSC TV.
>
> Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
> downconverted digital signal? Just curious
>
I have looked at digital broadcasts of standard definition and HDTV it on a
standard TV.
The picture is free of color phase errors, ghosts, interference from
computers, microwave,
automobile spark intereference, flutter from nearby airplanes, distant
co-channel "mini blind"
interference in the summer, better sound. HDTV broadcasts look like the
highest quality
letterboxed DVDs.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 01:09:23 -0600, HDTV-slingr <NOSPAMMERS@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
><mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>
>>I'm keeping the tuner for use
>>with our existing NTSC TV.
>
> Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
> downconverted digital signal? Just curious

Even the composite (yellow RCA) output on my digital tuner is clear
without interference, compared with snow or interference on most NTSC
channels 37 miles from Chicago stations. So yes, digital converted to
analog can be better than distant analog broadcast.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

HDTV-slingr wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
> <mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>
>
>>I'm keeping the tuner for use
>>with our existing NTSC TV.
>
>
> Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
> downconverted digital signal? Just curious

Yes, the picture quality of a down converted digital broadcast -
regardless of whether it is HD or upconverted SD - can be much better
than the analog braodcast. Besides, you can get the sub-channel stations
such as the ABC new channel. If you have a digital 5.1 surround sound
A/V receiver setup for listening to the TV, you can get the 5.1 sound
when they are broadcasting 5.1, although a lot of stations are not doing
this yet.

Another tuner to consider is the Samsung SIR-T451 which goes for $249
for anyone wondering about ATSC tuner boxes. It is more capable than the
Walmart USDTV box. I have used it, for example, to watch TV on my
computer monitor using the VGA port to try it out.

Alan F

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

cbrestleNOSPAM@yahooNOSPAM.com wrote:

> Total newbie question here.
>
> I'm considering purchasing a new TV with an HD Tuner. That purchase
> right now depends heavily on whether or not I can receive over-the-air
> HD channels. I live about 30 miles from L.A. so I should be OK, but I
> was wondering if there is any way to test my ability to receive a
> signal without actually having the new TV. Possible?
>
> Thank you!

Have you checked www.antennaweb.org? If you enter your street address,
it should give you a pretty good idea of what stations you should be
able to get.

Another source is to go to the Local HDTV INfo and Reception forum at
www.avsforum.com and look for the VERY long thread on the LA region.
Those threads are long as they have been going for years, but a search
of the thread may turn up information useful to you short of having to
buy or borrow an ATSC tuner box.

Alan F

 

[THUMPer]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
<mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:

>In article <1105508507.918647.72910@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
> "cbrestleNOSPAM@yahooNOSPAM.com" <cbrestle@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Total newbie question here.
>>
>> I'm considering purchasing a new TV with an HD Tuner. That purchase
>> right now depends heavily on whether or not I can receive over-the-air
>> HD channels. I live about 30 miles from L.A. so I should be OK, but I
>> was wondering if there is any way to test my ability to receive a
>> signal without actually having the new TV. Possible?
>>
>> Thank you!
>
>One way to do it is to buy at WalMart the US Digital HDTV receiver and
>an antenna. WalMart has a 30 day return policy. You can hook the tuner
>up to a non-digital NTSC TV for testing.
>
>You could try it out and if it doesn't work, return it.
Actions like this is precisely why most retailers are tightening up on
return policies. Buying something you know ahead of time that you
will return is unethical.
Thumper

> Unfortunately,
>this solution costs at least $200 (the USDigital HDTV tuner is the
>lowest cost model available but works well). It's what I did to verify
>that I can receive Los Angeles DTV stations down here in northern San
>Diego County before investing in an HDTV. I'm keeping the tuner for use
>with our existing NTSC TV.
>
>- Merle

To reply drop XYZ in address

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I checked antennaweb.org and am still a bit confused. All the
transmitters are 316 degrees from my location. All of the transmitters
are 31 miles from my house. CBS is listed as a Yellow UHF while Fox,
NBC, and ABS are Red UHF. Being that I have some Red UHF channels, I
assume that I need to install a large roof-top antenna? I've read a
few people who get away with using a cheap set-top antenna close to a
window. I was thinking since I am only 31 miles outside of LA that it
may be possible for me. Do I assume that "Red UHF" means that it is
not possible?

Oh well...

Thank you!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

In article <h7j9u0l5mhod470djrv9qtlov9dd33chg8@4ax.com>,
HDTV-slingr <NOSPAMMERS@hotmail.com> wrote:

> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
> <mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>
> >I'm keeping the tuner for use
> >with our existing NTSC TV.
>
> Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
> downconverted digital signal? Just curious

We're just going to move the existing NTSC TV into a guest room since
there's nothing wrong with it, and the DTV set top box will allow guests
to watch DTV programming (albeit downconverted).

After the future shutdown of NTSC broadcasting post-2006 (or whenever it
actually happens) :^), everyone will be doing something similar to be
able to continue using their non-DTV sets.

- Merle

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 10:26:33 -0500, Thumper <jaylsmithXYZ@comcast.net>
wrote:

>>You could try it out and if it doesn't work, return it.

>Buying something you know ahead of time that you
>will return is unethical.

I feel not having sufficient information available on the products you
sell, and no salespeople who know what the answers are to specific
questions asked, is equally unethical.

It's not like a digital receiver is a fish tape (the sort of
specialist tool you often need only once), or a box of band-aids (a
product that is partially destroyed in its use).

I am quite sure many chains consciously and deliberately have a
liberal return policy rather than competent and informed sales staff.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 10:26:33 -0500, Thumper <jaylsmithXYZ@comcast.net>
wrote:


>Actions like this is precisely why most retailers are tightening up on
>return policies. Buying something you know ahead of time that you
>will return is unethical.
>Thumper

unethical ? Is that like a heaven kind of thing ?

I'd think of it more as a justified pre-emptive strike.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

X-No-archive: yes

"HDTV-slingr" <NOSPAMMERS@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:h7j9u0l5mhod470djrv9qtlov9dd33chg8@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
> <mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>
>>I'm keeping the tuner for use
>>with our existing NTSC TV.
>
> Why, Merle? Do you like the picture quality better using a
> downconverted digital signal? Just curious
>
=====================================
Downconverted OTA DTV is vastly superior to NTSC.
I have a second HDTV STB for my older NTSC Pioneer RPTV and the picture is
fantastic.
========================================

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Downconverted digital broadcasts can also be worse. About half of the
downconverted OTA stations I receive are pretty blurry. Similar to the poor
quality of DirecTV locals.

--
"Alan Figgatt" <afiggatt@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:GsudnYWqSsztqHjcRVn-rQ@comcast.com...
> HDTV-slingr wrote:
>> On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:56:37 -0800, "Merle F. McClelland"
>> <mfm@vcweb.org> wrote:
>>
>>
> Yes, the picture quality of a down converted digital broadcast -
> regardless of whether it is HD or upconverted SD - can be much better
> than the analog braodcast. Besides, you can get the sub-channel stations
> such as the ABC new channel. If you have a digital 5.1 surround sound
> A/V receiver setup for listening to the TV, you can get the 5.1 sound
> when they are broadcasting 5.1, although a lot of stations are not doing
> this yet.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:41:47 -0800, cbrestleNOSPAM@yahooNOSPAM.com wrote:

> Total newbie question here.
>
> I'm considering purchasing a new TV with an HD Tuner. That purchase right
> now depends heavily on whether or not I can receive over-the-air HD
> channels. I live about 30 miles from L.A. so I should be OK, but I was
> wondering if there is any way to test my ability to receive a signal
> without actually having the new TV. Possible?
>
> Thank you!

In general, if you can get a decent analog signal, you won't have any
problem with the digital. Most of my analogs are unwatchable yet I get
every digital channel (except for PAX which is in a different direction)
without much problem.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"Thumper" <jaylsmithXYZ@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:5bgau0136l0qojkigodq2kjsgbh8gogurj@4ax.com...
>>One way to do it is to buy at WalMart the US Digital HDTV receiver and
>>an antenna. WalMart has a 30 day return policy. You can hook the tuner
>>up to a non-digital NTSC TV for testing.
>>
>>You could try it out and if it doesn't work, return it.
> Actions like this is precisely why most retailers are tightening up on
> return policies. Buying something you know ahead of time that you
> will return is unethical.
> Thumper

I would bet money that if you asked the manager at the WalMart if it was OK
to buy a receiver to see if you have good signal, the manager would OK it.
I was shopping for an indoor antenna and both Sears and Radioshack said it
would be ok to try them out and return them if I didn't like them.

They just want you to leave the store having spent money.

--Dan