TV Channles

I Have heard Peopel Say that we won't be abel to watch TV Channels unless we have Cabel or something come now Febuary of 2009 so is it true or not if it is can someone explain it to me that i will understand it lol

Here is a post talking about it Jacob.


The Big Switch...Are you ready?

So it is True? lol Well How much is the thing call a converter box? and How many Channles can we get then?

I don't know for sure.... :think:

Okay......Apparently, you have a couple more years to go, Jacob:


http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/oca-bc.nsf/en/ca02336e.html

Thanks Savannah Thats Great but our TV might have the Digital thing in there that we won't need that Box cause our TV is only about 2 Years Old

MattLabMyLove wrote:

I think that box thing is bull. They government is getting way out of hand IMO. They are just out for money.

Beckie, I agree. Don't get me started on the many issues that irk me!!

LindsayCrouseFan wrote:

MattLabMyLove wrote:

I think that box thing is bull. They government is getting way out of hand IMO. They are just out for money.

Beckie, I agree. Don't get me started on the many issues that irk me!!

Actually, I think this is a good thing. If you apply for a coupon, the box can end up costing you $10 or $20 at the most. I know someone who already got his and now he can see digital picture w/ better sound quality for free.... no need to subcribe to the basic cable channels anymore so he's saving the $17 dollars a month he used to pay.

Also, an important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

I'm all for technology to move foward when it looks like people can benefit from it.

I agree, Carol!!

Carol wrote:

Actually, I think this is a good thing. If you apply for a coupon, the box can end up costing you $10 or $20 at the most. I know someone who already got his and now he can see digital picture w/ better sound quality for free.... no need to subcribe to the basic cable channels anymore so he's saving the $17 dollars a month he used to pay.

Also, an important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

I'm all for technology to move foward when it looks like people can benefit from it.

It is definitely a good thing. I have cable and still bought a converter box since it only cost me $20 after using the coupon. That way I have something to watch if the cable goes out and I can also watch RTN on 7.2. RTN is a network that plays a lot of classic shows that aren't on any of the cable channels.

Carol, Toby & Teresa, ICAM with y'all! :woohooo:

Do you get more channles if you get the Box?

JW wrote:

Do you get more channles if you get the Box?

As far as I know, it's just the local channels plus the retro channel (RTN) Toby mentioned... BUT who knows... they might add more channels in the future...

You can check on this page to see what channel it is in you area.

http://www.rtnville.com/programming.html

Thanks, Carol!

I don't know if I'd be able to get it in my area, but it sure has some fun programs on there. I remember Voyagers! from when I was a young girl. I loved that show. And I loved the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew episodes. (More so The Hardy Boys. Nancy seemed rather whiney to me. LOL!) And there are several other shows there that I used to like, too. Neat channel!

I would love the retro channel!

JW wrote:

Do you get more channles if you get the Box?

It depends on the stations in your market. Stations are capable of broadcasting their main station and up to two sub-stations with digital broadcasting. One example would be channel 7 in Detroit. Their digital stations are as follows: 7.1 ABC, 7.2 RTN, 7.3 Weather. Not all stations choose to use the sub-stations though. In the Detroit area, PBS broadcasts different programming on each of its three stations. Other than the ABC and PBS stations, one channel has a sub-station with religious programming and the NBC affiliate has a weather station. The MyNetworkTV affiliate used to have a sports sub-station, but isn't currently using a sub-station.

I bought the box mostly because I knew about the RTN channel. RTN is still good, but unfortunately their contract with CBS/Paramount expired and they had to stop playing Little House, Bonanza, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Family Ties, Brady Bunch and a few others. I didn't really mind RTN losing Little House since it is played so much on cable, but most of those other shows are either not on cable or are on between 4 am and 5 am. Luckily, even with the CBS/Paramount shows missing, RTN still has a decent lineup full of shows that are pretty hard to find on cable stations.

Savannah wrote:

I'm glad that you mentioned RTN. I wasn't planning on getting the converter box, because I rarely watch tv. But it might be worth it, after all.

I just hope everybody remembers to check the page that Carol posted before buying the box in case RTN isn't available in your area. In Michigan for example, it looks like you either have to live in the Detroit, Traverse City, or Marquette areas to get it.

If anybody decides to buy the converter go to the following link to read about the digital transition and apply for the $40 coupons. https://www.dtv2009.gov/AboutProgram.aspx