Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Computer Hope Admin on August 03, 2007, 03:54:27 PM

Title: August monthly poll
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on August 03, 2007, 03:54:27 PM
For the month of August we thought it would be interesting to see many of our visitors have a digital TV or TV with digital tuner and/or high definition TV. In the United States on February 17, 2009 all traditional analog signals will stop being broad casted, which means if you do not have a TV or tuner capable of interpreting the digital signal you'll be unable to watch TV.

If you've purchased your TV before March 1, 2007 and it's not an HDTV or DTV it's likely it will be unable to watch digital transmissions.

Feel free to talk about your TV, how early you've adapted or been prepared, and/or your thoughts on DTV / HDTV.

All past monthly polls and results can be found on the Computer Hope poll page (http://www.computerhope.com/polls.htm).
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: unlovedwarrior on August 03, 2007, 03:59:12 PM
High definition... got it in December  of last year 26 in.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Zylstra on August 03, 2007, 04:05:32 PM
Over here, its a very ancient television, a Magnivox, with "Total Stereo" and "Complete Remote"...
(Or however its spelt)

At the other place, its a JVC High Definition from last year
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Richenstony on August 03, 2007, 04:08:19 PM
yh my computer screen and tv screen are HD :D

But i really cant notice the diffrence........

I had the Hd-dvd player for my x-box 360 and i sold it after a few weeks....... i tryed it out with a few HD discs , the audio commentry has become more advanced but thats its...... i really cant notice anything.........  ??? ??? to be honest i didnt even know it was HD when i bought it i just wanted a flat screen.......

Tony ;)
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: patio on August 03, 2007, 05:23:02 PM
I'm waiting for the dust to settle...there are units i've seen at friend's houses that are definitely sharp and others i've seen elsewhere that weren't impressive at all.

So i'll give it some time.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: JannE on August 03, 2007, 05:53:37 PM
I am certainly not electronic ignorant but how would I know? I just bought this TV in November. Never asked. I understand that there is an analog to HD converter available that isn't too expensive. Anyone know about that?
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Kip on August 03, 2007, 06:12:00 PM
We are waiting until 2009 and do not have any HD TV screens.

I hope that either the digital signal is stronger than the analog signal or that their are signal boosters for it because we need a signal booster for our current analog signal.  Without the signal booster, we cannot get any signal.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Zylstra on August 04, 2007, 01:39:43 AM
We see a lot of clarity in HD Television shows, one of the top high quality shows is "Lost"
Its much improved from regular television, and there is an incredible difference between the antenna.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Dark Blade on August 04, 2007, 03:24:30 AM
Yay, Lost!!!

It's HDTV all the way for me; I wonder how much TVs with analog tuners will be worth after 2009.....
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Richenstony on August 04, 2007, 03:38:13 AM
well my internet is basically my t.v i watch nearly everything online , i was at one point getting free skyone on my basic package , untill virgin media decided not to pay sky more money to keep the channel , i lost LOST!!!!!!!!!!! so i just downloaded it online ever since then i just watch all my shows on here , i have to say LOST does look amazing on Hd i think you can notice the diffrence there ......... but on most things im still a little *meh* on!

Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on August 04, 2007, 03:42:12 AM
I am certainly not electronic ignorant but how would I know? I just bought this TV in November. Never asked. I understand that there is an analog to HD converter available that isn't too expensive. Anyone know about that?

The converters are just starting to come out only a few are available as far as I'm aware, they're running around $40US and the US has passed a bill to subsidize money for a coupon (looks like around $40) to help pay for the converter boxes. As far as I can tell the coupon program is still being worked out but you may want to keep checking the below link for additional information about getting this coupon.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Peccavi on August 04, 2007, 04:07:41 AM
No I don't need it. I even don't have TV in my house. You better believe it. I hate TV.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Calum on August 04, 2007, 08:09:08 AM
I said "No - Planning on it soon".
We don't have a lot of money, so a new TV is out for a while yet.
However, our faithful Sony Trinitron from 2003 is showing its age, and may need a replacement and a decent burial soon.
We have till 2012 until everything goes HD and digital (I think - different places tell me different dates).
So, no HDTV or (working) digital tuners, unless you count the computers, which aren't used for TV, although I may get a digital tuner for my laptop.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: soybean on August 04, 2007, 09:13:05 AM
No - Waiting until 2009.  Surely, there will be some inexpensive convertors or some way to continue using analog TV's.  Otherwise, millions of good, working TV's are going to end up in a landfill.  Have our politicians been that irresponsible!?
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: 2k_dummy on August 04, 2007, 09:42:07 AM
Quote
Have our politicians been that irresponsible!?

Absolutely!!
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Calum on August 04, 2007, 11:48:02 AM
How about just a digital box?
Is that what you want, a box so a TV with an analog tuner can receive digital signals?
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: soybean on August 04, 2007, 12:51:55 PM
How about just a digital box?
Is that what you want, a box so a TV with an analog tuner can receive digital signals?
Yep, that's what I want. 
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Calum on August 05, 2007, 02:55:41 AM
Are they not available over there, or am I missing something?
A digital Freeview box in the UK costs around £30 for a basic model, or we can buy a subscription service like NTL, Telewest, Virgin or Sky which will provide their own box, satellite dish or whatever they use, so the services can be used with almost any TV set, analog or digital.
Having a digital TV here just means you have one or more Freeview tuners built in, rather than an external box.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: soybean on August 05, 2007, 08:54:10 AM
I really don't know what's available here; I haven't paid any attention to this.  But, I presume some type of converter box can be obtained that can be connected to an analog TV.

Ah!  I just found this info on a federal gov't website (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html); here's an excerpt:
"What About My Analog TV? Will It Still Work?

After February 17, 2009, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be able to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television signals, and therefore are not intended for analog TVs connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service."
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Calum on August 05, 2007, 10:39:34 AM
That's what I mean, yeah.
Looks like you, in effect, get them free, we have to pay for digital boxes.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Jonas Wauters on August 05, 2007, 04:13:51 PM
Well here in Belgium we can't get HDTV.
So we have digital TV for the moment.
But as soon as we are able to have HDTV I'm sure we will have it.

Jonas ;)
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: street1 (RIP) on August 06, 2007, 04:00:49 PM
Well,I got this big a$$ed Mitsubishi TV.I look at it.

It shows me these movies and stuff but, I have Doo-Doo
cablevision. The TV has everything digital ready but, the
cable is from the late 60's or,early 70's.

We have so many different deals for 6 months,or a year then
 they rob you.

I20 channels for 39.95.I like 2,or 3 of them.mostly Discovery
channel. I am kinda into this Ice Truck series where people
deliver to Northern Canada while the river is frozen over.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: bcop803 on August 06, 2007, 11:27:29 PM
getting HDTV soon
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: honvetops on August 08, 2007, 02:32:45 PM
I keep looking at them at wally world.....  have my eye on a 32" ....maybe find an open box or reduced price model and I might bite, later maybe early 2008...

still too much for my current budget............
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Quintillus on August 13, 2007, 12:13:00 AM
Until I read the opening post I was wondering why 2009 in particular was mentioned - I'd heard of this before but forgot about it long ago.  But since I hardly watch any TV, I don't need it.  Since my computer plays DVDs and I can get adequate news coverage online, TV is unnecessary.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: chriscool9 on August 18, 2007, 07:59:35 AM
Yup, we got a 42" HDTV. What a beast it is!
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/plasma-tv/th42px7/index.htm


Chris
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: James_Goku on August 21, 2007, 09:25:32 AM
While I don't live in the United States I still have something to say on the subject, even though these rules don't apply here in Australia. Until recently I've been very happy with my 42 inch TEAC television, calling 'home' faithfully in our living room. When I was 9 I used to call it my 'Fat screen TV'. Anyway times have changed and we have moved into a new and more luxourious home, our Theatre room was looking a little bare without a television so we decided to get a new bult in HDTV, 200gb worth of recording space, 65 inch LG plasma. Even though the digital set top box and the Fat screen still lie in the lounge room I do believe it will be used scarcely. I have not been able to see my new television as of yet as the people who were delievering it had put a fork lift through it... big mistake.

¬¬Tally Ho!¬¬
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Diethaus on August 23, 2007, 01:31:54 PM
My Digital TV was mainly used for watching movies 480p.   Normally 1 movie a night.  We used to never watch our comcat cable TV.  One day I decided to make the move and get HDTV through comcast.  Comcast doesn't look as good as some of my friends Direct TV but the picture is still amazing.  Its easier on my eyes, and more enjoyable to watch.  It is difficult to explain how enjoyable the difference can be.  You can sit there all day and watch TV on a regular analog set and enjoy it.  But once you see HDTV you don't realize how was missing.  If I'm going to waste 1 or 2 hours watching TV then I want my viewing experience to be maximized.  But I don't understand those voting "Don't Need It." At least in the us eventaully you either upgrade or get a converter box. 
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Spero-T on August 24, 2007, 04:34:13 AM
 ::)

Why would you want a tv...

<link removed>

Admin edit: Linking to sites that link to copyrighted material not allowed.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: honvetops on August 24, 2007, 11:25:20 AM
I can't see where the picture quality*  and it is good don't get me wrong, justifies  the high-price they are charging for these  "new" hd- tv's ......  I am just fine with my analog box   till they want to drop the prices, a lot!
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: vanvlik on August 24, 2007, 05:33:05 PM
I am in the process of purchasing a LCD HDTV by Sharp, they say the tuner type is NTSC, ATSC, and QAM will I be able to pick up the digital broadcasts after 2009 ?? or will I have to get a box from my cable provider ?? ???
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: honvetops on August 24, 2007, 06:52:31 PM
don't hold me to this but, if you are purchasing a new HDTV  it should come with everything needed inside if it has the tuner*
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: vanvlik on August 25, 2007, 07:11:25 AM
OK, THANKS !! THAT MAKES ME FEEL A LOT BETTER, SINCE I HAVE ALREADY PLACED THE ORDER !! :)
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on August 27, 2007, 04:54:28 PM
Everything that I've read and understand says Hoventops is correct. All digital or HDTVs you purchase today will have the required tuner in the TV that allows it receive the signal properly now and in 2009. If by some chance you've purchased one of the earlier manufactured digital TVs it will actually state on the box that it does not have a digital tuner and that one will need to be purchased.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: robert39119 on August 28, 2007, 01:49:46 AM
I knew they were going to switch over but didn't know it was going to be so soon. I bet alot of people don't even know the date is so close. The old analog tv's last forever, its going to be tough on some people.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on August 28, 2007, 03:23:31 PM
Well was going to be earlier but has been delayed. However, I think this is a pretty set date and will not be delayed again. It is fast approaching and I believe you're correct Robert that most people are not even aware of it, which is why I thought it would be a good monthly poll.  :)
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: reaper_tbs on September 06, 2007, 05:22:29 AM
Let's just blame Sony for everything..
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Spero-T on September 06, 2007, 05:31:01 AM
I do
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: reaper_tbs on September 06, 2007, 05:41:54 AM
i think you and i will get along well. as long as you appreciate playstations (different area of production).
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Spero-T on September 06, 2007, 07:29:45 AM
Hmmm...... I dont like ps1...

But PS2 PSIII are very good !!
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Richenstony on September 06, 2007, 10:16:11 AM
ps3 can kiss my *** :D
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on September 16, 2007, 10:36:59 PM
Looks like Analog TV cable viewers may get some more time. According to this article (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070912-fcc-to-cable-you-must-support-analog-tvs-until-2012.html) cable providers must provide an analog signal until 2012.
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: kuszmania9999 on September 17, 2007, 12:23:52 AM
i don't need a "whatever kind of tv" since i used my monitor to play ps2.
Actually don't have time for it >:(
Title: Re: August monthly poll
Post by: Spero-T on September 17, 2007, 02:38:06 AM
PS3 PS3 PS3  :o