I have just installed our new digital converter for the TV in our motor home. Everything was working great at the last campground we were in, but once we checked in here, things have changed. In adjusting the antenna signal we started out at 68-70 and the channels came up wonderfully. Then about 10 minutes later the signal drops off to "0" and then bounces back to 25. After it fluctuates back and forth it will go back to the high 60's again. This goes on throughout the day... Any solutions to our problem?
NorCal Dan said
12:07 PM Jan 29, 2009
Not sure if it's the same thing I see with my over-the-air antenna and digital signals but will mention it in case it's the problem your seeing. My digital ready TV has a menu setting where I can "see" the strength of the digital signal. I use it to adjust the antenna direction for the strongest signal. I have found that digital TV is not like analog signals. With analog, if the signal is weak you can still get some display on the tv. With digital there is no such luck...you must have a strong enough signal or no picture.
I suspect that your antenna and or location has you on the fringe of reception range of the broadcast signal and the channels are dropping in and out. I have also had problems when I was within 30 miles line-of-sight of the tv stations transmitters but had hills and tree's that seemed to kill my signal enough that I would see channels drop in and out.
I have not read much on this subject so will be interesting to see how others are making out with the switch to digital tv.
mktobob said
09:07 AM Feb 5, 2009
Many TV stations are not yet up to full speed on their conversion. I talked with an engineer at one of our local TV stations and he said that they are only broadcasting at 30% power on their digital side. That will jump to 100% when the full legal conversion date arrives. As said earlier...mostly with digital, you have it or you don't. The increase to full power from the TV stations will really help. Bob
NorCal Dan said
10:32 AM Feb 5, 2009
And I see the deadline to switch to all digital has been delayed until June. They mentioned wait times for the converter boxes is at least 6 weeks, and that they are in short supply. Hopefully everybody on RV-Dreams that needed one has it already...
Speedhitch said
12:49 PM Feb 5, 2009
Do you receive one channel or two. Mine has channel 11 and 11.1 If I am on 11 the signal fades and come back if I switch to channel 11.1 it comes in strong and stays strong. Sometimes it will pixalate somewhat but the picture stays strong. I think until they switch over to HD you have two channels...or at least we do... you have to be on the right one for the signal to be strong.
Joe and Sherri
mktobob said
01:03 PM Feb 5, 2009
Once the conversion is made to all digital, the analog signal will be cut off. Right now I believe you are seeing one analog signal and one digital signal. When the conversion happens...you will have one signal only, that being the digital. When the transmitters are running full power the signal on digital is very good. Not HD, but very good. Going from analog to digital opens up more of the broadcast spectrum for the government to sell to commercial interests. The converter box discount coupons are being funded by advance sales of the broadcast spectrum. I am putting myself to sleep, so I will stop writing now. :) Bob
NorCal Dan said
09:15 AM Feb 6, 2009
Just another piece of info regarding the switch.
Television viewers who use antennas and were expecting a few more months to prepare for digital TV may not have much time left before their sets go dark: Many stations still plan to drop analog broadcasts in less than two weeks.
When Congress postponed the mandatory transition to digital TV until June, it also gave stations the option to stick to the originally scheduled date of Feb. 17.
As said earlier...mostly with digital, you have it or you don't.
The increase to full power from the TV stations will really help. Bob
When the conversion happens...you will have one signal only, that being the digital.
When the transmitters are running full power the signal on digital is very good. Not HD, but very good.
Going from analog to digital opens up more of the broadcast spectrum for the government to sell to commercial interests.
The converter box discount coupons are being funded by advance sales of the broadcast spectrum.
I am putting myself to sleep, so I will stop writing now. :)
Bob
-- Edited by NorCal Dan at 09:21, 2009-02-06