Digital TV sucks

[beverlyt]

Am I the only one having trouble finding a station out rustic camping? I have a new digital portable tv.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PT902-37- ... ortable+tv

Even sitting outside with the tv and antenna outside of the trailer, I can't get one station up North. Better than analog? Not if I can't find one single station?

Thanks,
Bev

[Verna]

When my sister and I traveled to Michigan last September, we tried to get digital TV stations every night and we didn't get anything. We finally got one or two in Cadilac, MI. I hooked an antenna to the outside cable inlet, and put the antenna on the propane tanks. It worked. I don't know that the propane tanks had anything to do with it, but it was the closest flat space to put the antenna.

[beverlyt]

That's what I'm finding out. What gives? My old analog portable tvs worked just fine with their small attached antenna and even inside a trailer!

[pohukai]

Digital requires a direct line of sight. Here's how to determine what channels you can receive.

Prior to digital, I was paying direct TV for the minimum channels (mostly junk). I fired them and have 100% over the air and now get about 140 junk channels. The standard network TV is all I really need.

Jim

[LDK]

It could be that there just isn't any stations close enough to pick up. Antenna web would show you which stations are around your area and it'll also tell you which way to point your antenna. http://www.antennaweb.org/Address.aspx

[asianflava]

I don't bother with antennas, either we're too far away from the signal or in a place that the signal can't get to. We just watch DVDs or stuff downloaded onto the iPad.

[GPW]

No more FREE TV !!! The FCC sold us out to the cell phone companies ( lobbyists ) ... Now everybody Must PAY !!! Vulture Capitalism !!!... Enjoy the silence !!!

I live in town and can’t pick up Free TV ... Cant see the TV for the trees ... Stupid huh ... ?

[LDK]

No more FREE TV !!! The FCC sold us out to the cell phone companies ( lobbyists ) ... Now everybody Must PAY !!! Vulture Capitalism !!!... Enjoy the silence !!!

I live in town and can’t pick up Free TV ... Cant see the TV for the trees ... Stupid huh ... ?

I never heard about that but the good news is there's always radio. For now anyway.

[bobhenry]

I am still using my redneck antenna at home and getting 16 great channels. No cable bill no dish just my little home made antenna. I have found that my analogue TV with the digital converter picks up far more channels than the digital tv using the same antenna aimed exactly the same direction. I think the converter may amplify the signal a bit.



When we camp I take a compass and the results from a service like the antenna guide above and can aim for the signal. The Redneck antenna is very directional and having the proper direction to aim it is critical.

Here is one of the little antennas outside of the "tiny trailers traveling theater" where we hardy winter campers crowded in to watch the colts play on the big screen tv.

[Verna]

Doggone it!!! I sent my converter to Goodwill!!!!

[glenpinpat]

I also recieve many more channals on digital than I used to on analog. I however purchased a new multi directional antennae for my tower(yes I stll have atower) I have over 35 channals know compared to 7 before. I do watch many shows on the internet as this is kind of free and it does not matter what the weather is like.

[beverlyt]

True, I seldom use a tv while out camping. However, if it's raining, etc., I could always count on finding a free channel or two on analog, practically no matter where I was camped. (even waaayyyy out in the woods) (With a simple tv/built in antenna attached. Try that now. Now, unless you are in a populated area, just be aware that in times of emergency or while out camping, you will likely no longer be able to find any news on a free air channel. They no longer exist, even with a newer "digital" tv.
As someone said earlier, your radio will be the only thing that will work for information.

Bev

[linuxmanxxx]

Wally world has the flat amplified antenna by rca for 29.99 and it works wonderfully. Says for indoor bit as long as the amplifier/power portion is inside, the antenna is sealed and had one outside for years on roof of house no ill effects to it. Embedded in first build roof picked up stations 50 miles away.

[Wolffarmer]

Or do like me. I tossed my TV in May of 2001. Have not had one since. The past few years I do watch some programs over the internet. When I can't get the internet I catch up on my reading. And not the new fangled e-books thing-a-ma-jigs.

[eamarquardt]

Ya just gotta understand "digital". It pretty much works great, or it doesn't work at all. Not like analog that may be degraded when the signal is weak but will still work to a degree.

Everything in life is a compromise.

Take DVDs, a satellite dish, or a dvr with lots of recorded stuff on it (although I'm not 100% certain that it will work without a satellite signal if you can't live without TV. Satellite radio might be fun to listen to. I think they still have old radio programs playing on some channels. If it was entertaining before TV, perhaps some folks will still find it entertaining.

Cheers,