RoyB
King George, VA
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Joined: 04/13/2008
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When it changed over for us we did not go the Digital Converter method. I just changed out the analog TV for a LCD Flat screen Vizio Brand HDTV set. The new LCD HDTV flat screen units are light weight, less heat generatoed, draws a bunch less wattage and has a much better view than the old analog TV sets. All of my analog TV sets went straight to the landfill.
What this did for us is that I am able to use my HDTV when set for ANTENNA to scan in the available "DIGITAL" TV signals from the OTA BATWING crank-up antenna. We have to be more precise in pointing this antenna towards the town or city the broadcast is being transmitter from. These digital TV signals will need to be scanned into the TV everytime you need to use it for the first time at the camp ground location. After you set the HDTV for "ANTENNA" and start the search for stations if it doesnt start logging in digital station within the first 15% of scanning - stop the scan and move the antenna a few degrees and start the search for station agains. The low channel stations with start logging into the HDTV first... The PBS stations are usually the last ones to log into the HDTV. AFter the station scan has completed you should now be able to view the digital station that were picked up using the OTA BATWING antenna. Each station number like CH6 i.e. may have up to 6 different stations assigned to the the CH6 number like 6-1, 6-2, etc... The station numbers dont really mean anything to you in the digital TV world. We usually get 6-36 stations anywhere we go on the eastern side of the US using the OTA BATWING antenna. These are the US NAtional Broadcast channels ABC-CBS-NBC-FOX-PBS all transmitted in full screen full high def TV mode.. If you had elected to use the Digital TV Converter then these TV signals will not be in full HDTV format but converted back to analog format so that you would be able to view them on your old analog TV set..
When using the CABLE TV input from the camp grounds you will not have to do anything except select "CABLE" on the setup screen. It will scan in all of the CABLE TV signals in the old analog TV format just like it did before even if you have purchased a new HDTV unit like the Vizio LCD Flat screen HDTV. The camp ground converts the new High Def TV signals back to analog format before making it available at the CABLE input.
have no idea how all of this works with SAT TV in the fifth wheel or travel trailers except if you have one dish with one head it will be analog TV. Digital HDTV has to receive two different signals using a dual head dish and you have to be signed up for digital TV stations.. You will need to talk with SAT TV users to get this info.
Clear as mud right ???
Like was said by other the new digital TV signals have to be scanned into the HDTV before you can view any stations. They either work VERY good or not at all.
Just passing on what we did when the change-over was started here. The bottom line for us this is a great thing that has happened. We watch digital TV all over the place using the OTA Batwing antenna or just plain analog TV signals at the camp grouns using the CABLE input setting. We find ourselve using the digital TV signals at the camp sites with cable because they are in full screen digital HDTV format and switch between "antenna" and "cable" depending on what we want to watch..
You know how it goes - once you get hooked on High Def TV its hard to go back to analog...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM/EMAIL me
Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
"We always have a PLAN B"
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
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Rockiesview
Western Colo.
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Joined: 07/17/2009
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I have a converter box that can be switched back and forth from digital to analog (pass thru) from a remote. In some areas there are still analog transmitters, (repeaters,translators, etc.) that weren't required to change over for a few more years. Usually in sparse rural areas.
Mine has a pre-amp, not sure if basic (plain) converter has that or the remote switch for D-A. I ordered mine on line after researching spec's.
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96Bounder30E
America is my home!
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Moved from Tech Issues
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Make everything simple.........get a new TV with a digital tuner.
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W4RLR
Full timing, based in Marion County, Tennessee
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Joined: 12/10/2006
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I got a new Sony flat screen at Walmart for the bedroom in the sticks and bricks. 32 inch wide screen, only $289.
Get a new flat screen and be happy with the better picture, and less weight in the RV. We gave our old dinosaur color CRT TV to a friend.
Richard L. Ray
SSgt USAF (Retired) Life Member DAV
W4RLR 146.52 mhz
2005 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab
1995 Jayco Eagle 277RBSS fifth-wheel
"Never ask a man what kind of computer he drives. If it's a Mac, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him?" Tom Clancy
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/05/2006
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On a 2008 model RV you should have newer flat panel/LCD tv's. Manuals supplied with them should give you instruction on how to do a scan of channels. Should be all that is needed to get digital channels.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
TST tire pressure monitor system
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burlmart
Baton Rouge
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Joined: 03/28/2005
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Though we use a USB digital/analog tuner with our laptop, it takes too long to scan channels- especially if multiple antenna placements (and thus rescans) are needed. So for this reason, a flat TV w/ digital is more desirable. As mentioned above, a converter box does not give HD quality, but downgrades OTA true HD signals to analog.
We have found the Wingard crank-up RV antenna with amplifier to be pretty useless in picking signals. For instance, here in a suburb of Baton Rouge, with raised and amplified RV’s antenna and the USB tuner I caught 7 of the 17 possible stations.
But after 1-1/2 hours in the utility room making one of these clothes hangar antennas, I put it LAYING FLAT IN A CABINET INSIDE THE RV WITH THE GLASS DOORS CLOSED and It picked up all 17 channels clear as a bell!!!
Buy a flat TV and make your own unamplified antenna.
Wingard should be ashamed.
2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy
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morley
British Columbia
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Joined: 03/17/2010
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Thanks for all the helpful information.
At this time may I wish each and everyone of you a happy and joyous holiday season and a 2012 full of health, wealth, happiness and great RVing.
2008 Topaz F254SS 26 ft.
2009 Chevy Silverado, 2500HD, Duramax, Allison Tranny, 4x4, EC
Honda EUi2000
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