| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:30:40 AM
I overheard a conversation at my in-laws this weekend about how everyone has to have the same television set or frequency (???) by 2009 or something and I thought, "that's stupid...and HOW BIG BROTHER" and then I heard a commercial last night while I was cleaning out the litter box to the same effect. It read like a public service message about some terrible illness that we might be infected with, "Get knowledge about the new regulations and information regarding your television set..."
Does anyone know what this is about?
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Peanut |
Posted - Jan 07 2008 : 2:37:34 PM
Thank you to Dixie Amazon!!!
My husband thought he was being a real smarty-pants when he told me about these coupons. Imagine his suprise when I told him I'd already registered for TWO of them!!
Ohhhhh... I lovvvveee being smarter once in a while! :)
"What is a farm but a mute gospel?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| JessieMae |
Posted - Jan 02 2008 : 11:55:11 AM
My technology-addicted husband told me that in additon to all the reasons everyone else has listed here for the switch, the change in frequencies is also necessary to open up additional frequencies for emergency responders. Don't know how accurate that is, but that may be another reason. |
| carmeniris |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 2:59:14 PM
I had decided that once my Direct TV two year contract was up (in about 3 months) I was getting rid of it. I'm tired of paying so much for so few good shows. So, I got a DVD player to just rent movies that I really want to see. Problem is that with the change that is coming, the new complient DVD player and my two year old television are not compatible. None of the ads mentioned that detail. So, I guess I'll watch movies on my 5 year old laptop until the DVD are no longer compatible with it. Question-does the National Telecommunication and Information Administration work for us or for the TV makers? I guess I'll be converting my TV to a plant stand. As to being tracked by the government, that's why I have a cell phone. Don't want to keep them guessing. |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 11:21:00 AM
A footnote here....if you are going online with your computer anyone and everyone knows where you are and can trace you. If you want to be incognito get rid of the computer first.
Kathy |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 11:18:54 AM
All in all this is just an upgrade in new technology....no different really than the phone companies going to fiber optic lines. As for satellities knowing where we are, the government knows where we are anyway ever looked at google earth, I can see anyones house I want, and I have nothing to hide anyway.
Hugs, Kathy |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 10:51:49 AM
I agree with Kay as usual. I tend to be Libertarian in my thinking. The minimum government involvement in my life the better.
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Proud Farmgirl Sister #19
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Take me home, country roads |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 10:17:28 AM
I think it is a good change too because you get more stations and the picture is more clear. However, I really don't like being told that I have to do it. I feel it is just a way for the TV manufacturers, cable, and satellite companies to rope us into spending more money. Think maybe they had some lobbyists in Washington, DC in order to get this law passed??
My Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Flair Etsy Team http://farmgirlsonetsy.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100
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| Annab |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 10:14:17 AM
We have never had cable or satelite and with hubby's bad hannel surfing tendencies, it would only make it worse.
We have been bracing for this swich too. We are thinking about buying a flat screen anyway and most these days are already digital I think??? But for the smaller sets in other rooms, not sure what we'll do.
It irks me about the whole $$ issue too. Will the receivers be 100 or more!? If that's the case, who needs it evn with those 40.00 coupons! Most times in the summer we are outside playin' in the dirt 'till sundown anyway. |
| sunshine |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 08:09:59 AM
yep it has and it is a good change not bad
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my bloghttp://sunshinescreations.vintagethreads.com/
my web store http://vintagethreads.com/ |
| SarahJ |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 07:45:01 AM
Just FYI, this switch from analogue to digital has actually be over a decade in the making. I remember studying the congressional act that dictated this transition back in the late 90's in my media studies class. Back in (I think) 1996, Congress passed the act that required all networks to transition to digital. So, it has been coming for a while. |
| Dixie_Amazon |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 07:28:09 AM
Today the National Telecommunication and Information Administration will begin accepting requests of two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of digital converter boxes for older TVs. The converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70. Apply online at https://www.dtv2009.gov/
Dennise with 2 n's
Farmgirl Sister #47 **~~** Country girl raised in the city. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 8:59:09 PM
Sunshine
Did you take your rabbit ears out to the country to run and play or did you send them to a assisted hutch to live out it's days east mushed carrots? Just kidding!!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| sunshine |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 7:18:23 PM
we have one of those tvs ( digital) and a digital antenna. honestly I like it. We have better reception and about 3 timers as many channels with out paying for cable and all the nasty shows that goes with that. I never had reception this well with our rabbit ears that we retired 5 months ago. In this area most of the extra channels are educational channels like PBS type stuff and that is just the type of TV I like.
have a lovely day and may God bless you and keep you safe
my bloghttp://sunshinescreations.vintagethreads.com/
my web store http://vintagethreads.com/ |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 6:10:27 PM
Will new DVDS still play on current DVD players and tvs? Or are they switching the technology on those two?
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
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New Rt 66 blog: http://historyinthemaking.wordpress.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 3:57:51 PM
Jonni, around here we call that Christmas decorations! I have floral wire on one of the ears because the silly thing snapped in half and the tape just was not enough to keep it upright. Was thinking of using some leftover silk rose stems I had but thought "No then people would really start to talk about me"
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 1:33:24 PM
Hey Grace, our rabbit ears have tin foil on them  Better reception for the 2 channels we DO get :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 12:44:59 PM
I love a good giggle!!
All this talk reminded me while arranging my shop it was time to redo the duct tape on the bunny ears. I took my time to get it just right - not a buckle, bubble or wrinkle in my tape job. You know it is a REAL skill which has taken years to master. I am not sure why I took so long because I only us the TV to watch movies that I check out from my library or my stash that are around 12 years old. To think that there are people in the world who have never seen a TV let alone worry if there wires are crossed. I am glad to know that I am not the only one in the US who does not want or need to live by airwaves. I think I will go out and play with the goat ears and see if I pick up Desparte Barnwives.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
| farmgirl blessings |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 9:54:50 PM
Grace, I'm still giggling about your post. But I'm with you 100%. I didn't even know all of this was going on. We only get 1 station and I've been after my husband to just get rid of it for some time now. I think I'll just keep this quiet and look really puzzled when it finally stops working! LOL - not really, but I'd like to.
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 4:44:04 PM
We already have a digital TV (our old one gave up the ghost a year or so ago) it has the receiver built in - some tv's are just monitors and you have to buy a separate receiver, but some have the receiver too. We don't have cable TV, though, we don't watch enough TV to justify it (but I do make a point of watching Bones and House on Tuesdays, so I've got to hurry and finish this)
The main difference between analog and digital signal is the amount of bandwidth on the radio signal spectrum that they use. In 2009, the FCC can then auction off the big chunks of frequency space that are currently being occupied by analog TV signals to cellular companies and other wireless technologies. A digital signal takes up only a fraction of the amount of space that an analog one does.
Most people that have cable TV won't even notice when the switch comes. If they have an analog TV the cable box supplied by the cable company probably already converts the signal from digital (on the cable) back to analog so their TV can use it.
We live about 70 miles from local TV stations, and we are in a river valley. We get very clear analog signals on our TV. We have an antenna rotor so we get different stations depending on which way we point the antenna. On some nights, we get digital signals from some of the stations that are already broadcasting (over the airwaves, as opposed to cable TV) digital signals.
Our TV is HDTV, and the picture is very clear with digital. The main problem we have noticed with digital channels is that just when the TV show gets to a climax point, the picture starts breaking up, it freezes, and then we get the message "no signal". We quickly switch over to analog to watch the rest of the show. But what are we going to do in 2009? We've also noticed we have to make very subtle changes in the way the antenna rotor points to pull in the different digital stations, as opposed to the analog stations where just pointing NW gives us about 7 different Cleveland stations without changing the antenna position at all, or to the South where we get 3 or four different Columbus ones. We can't seem to pull in any digital signals from Columbus at all, no matter how much we fool with the antenna position.
Hubby thinks if we get a taller antenna we will get more signals, but I think we will have the same problem of aiming the antenna directly at the station. I understand there are different antennas for digital signals, but the ones I have seen so far say "up to 30 miles" on the package. No good for us, as there is only 1 digital station within that range for us.
Because of the range problem, and the fact that cable companies like to string cable in town, but not in the country, I think this change will affect us farmgirls disproportionately to our city cousins. Maybe we should collectively write to the FCC!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 2:00:13 PM
Yikes, sorry bout the double posts....didn't see that the first one showed up so I rewrote it! DOH!
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
www.bigtownfarmer.com
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| Farmtopia |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 1:55:48 PM
I'm with Mima on this...throw out the darned TV. I barely have time to watch TV as it is and when I do turn it on, what to watch? "Reality" TV? I think not!
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
www.bigtownfarmer.com
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| Farmtopia |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 1:54:05 PM
I'm with you, Mima...I'd just throw the TV out. I barely have time to watch TV as it is and when I do...yikes "reality" TV? I think not!
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
www.bigtownfarmer.com
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| GaiasRose |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 10:25:23 AM
HAHA!! We dont have cell phones either!! We have DSL but its through our telephone line. That's as techinilogically advanced as it gets here!! LOL!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
 |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 10:20:52 AM
Grace? Are you sure we're not sisters? I don't have a cell phone, either. We have dial up at home (and we JUST got our computer last Christmas), don't have cable, digital, satellite or anything else. I prefer it that way....
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 09:15:13 AM
I LOVE my bunny ears even with the duck tape on them!!!
I am thinking this is a good thing because then I do not have to hear any of the brainwashing that goes on while watching TV. I think I must be the only person within a 100 miles who do not have dish, cable, broadband and all the rest. I do not even have a cell phone. I could go into a big rant about how dumb our society is for just going with the crowd but everyone is entitled to live their lives - including me - so I guess I will use my bunny ears for another set of yarn swifts or maybe I will bead on them and turn them into a work or art and sell it to the town folk would will consider it modern art and pay me millions. No TV - more time to spin or get goat kisses. Go out and play for free!!!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
