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Across the Fence:  What's this weird TV nonsense about?  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:30:40 AM
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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/ |
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:35:03 AM
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I havent heard it, but frankly it creeps me out.
Mama to 2
Your FreckleFaced Farm Girl!!
FarmGirl# 20
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:38:29 AM
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You said it, sistah! I don't watch enough television for someone to dictate what kind of tv I own. Just another reason to toss the darn thing out--if ONLY we could watch PBS on our computer!!!!
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/ |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:57:22 AM
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I like my rabbit ears. Really. Otherwise, I would have paid money I can't afford for cable.
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/ |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 11:24:59 AM
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I relate, Jonni. I've known about this for a while now, but I just do a Scarlett O'Hara and say: "I won't think about that today, I'll think about that TOMORROW!" My poor old tv is about to give out anyway. I'm just hoping it will limp along until the new technology forces us to replace it. :(
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 11:54:36 AM
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AKA more $$$ spent... I think its a lil BStty but what can you do?! Seems like nothing. Love the quote miss bee haven from Scarlett :) LOVE the movie. One of my favs.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Peanut
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jennifer
Waverly
Virginia
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 1:12:54 PM
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If everything is digital, what does that mean? Does that mean we'll still only have "local" channels if we pay for nothing else? Or will we have more channels?
I'm so confloozed.
"What is a farm but a mute gospel?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 1:15:37 PM
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The link that Tina posted was pretty helpful--apparently, if you don't have digital (a converter box for about $100.00), then you're plum out of luck with tv (unless you have cable which is already digitized). So, I'm out of luck. There are, apparently, also special tv's you can buy. Just what I wanted to spend money one....
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/ |
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ali2583
True Blue Farmgirl
404 Posts
Alison
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Canada
404 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 3:15:10 PM
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I've heard too that it's all about TV signals turning digital and HDTV, but personally I don't think the quality of digital TV is as good.
"God's gift to you is life. What you choose to do with that life is your gift to God" |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 06:16:19 AM
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| When I first heard about this, I was hoping that the digital converter box would give me better reception and a few more channels than my rabbit ears. But no, apparently that is not the case. I'm a little bummed about having to spend money just to get the same (not really satisfactory) result, but I'm not freaking out about it. My husband, however, is lobbying for not upgrading, not getting the box, and giving up on tv entirely. I'm glad I've got a year left to talk him down from the ledge! |
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mima
True Blue Farmgirl
1573 Posts
1573 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 06:25:06 AM
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I'd be all about getting rid of tv altogher then! Except if Maryjane does get a tv show!!!! Oh no! Whats a farmgirl to do???
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 07:15:23 AM
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Good for you, Tasha. I'd like to get rid of mine, but my dh is still hooked. :( When I was a single mom, I didn't own a tv. Didn't miss it, either.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
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createmyworld
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Beth
Akron
PA
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 09:00:59 AM
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Hi ladies, here's the scoop, as previously stated in this posting, all analog signals will be obsolete when the switch occurs. This does not mean however that you can't get tv for free (which the cable and dish companies would like you to think!) My husband did a lot of research on this and we installed a rooftop antenna and bought a digital receiver on ebay. There are only 3 (I believe) digital receivers for off the air reception (meaning not cable or dish networks)... 2 of them are no longer made, as direct tv bought them out! (again, trying to make everyone pay for something which you really can get for free!). We have 2 of them, a panasonic and a holmes. There is a Samsung which is still being made (I think) and sold. You must look for the "off-the-air" model if you want to use an antenna.
The downside: you have to buy the receiver... on ebay we got ours for about $100... and you may want to invest in a rooftop antenna (our antenna cost us less than $100, but we had to have someone install it for us and that cost us an extra $400)
The upside: we get all of our usual programming... plus... each station is given up to 6 different channels (so, if you have a channel 12, you will get 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, etc. up to 12-6 all with different programming!) not all channels use all of their channel options, but a lot of the PBS channels do use all 6! One of our PBS stations, for example has a -1 channel which is a simulcast of their analog, a -2 which is an education/learning channel, -3 which is PBS Kids (kids programs 24 hours a day), -4 which is home shows and -5 which is High Def. programs. This will vary from station to station, depending on what they are able to and can afford to offer. In total, we get about 50-60 channels (including the digital subchannels) for free!
If you do get set up, there are websites which list programming for all of your local signals including digital channels. All you need to do is a little research and if you are already paying cable or dish fees, within a year or less it will pay for itself. Keep in mind though, that you will not receive cable/sattelite stations (like animal planet, history channel, hbo, etc.) depending upon your location though, you could pick up stations from other counties and or states. (we live in south east/central PA, and we get channels from North East Pa, Eastern PA, Central Pa, Maryland, New Jersey, and when the clouds are right we've had rare occasions of picking up stuff from NY and CT!)
If you want further information about this just google "off the air digital receiver" or "antenna digital receiver", or email me and I'll try to help as much as I am able! Hope this info helps some of you! |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 09:06:41 AM
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Thanks for the info....
Ok, I'm excited about the multiple PBS channels....I'll come along kicking and screaming....and I'll probably be the last person on the planet TO do it, but.....blah.
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/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 09:15:13 AM
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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 |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 10:20:52 AM
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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/ |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 1:54:05 PM
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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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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 1:55:48 PM
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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
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 2:00:13 PM
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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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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 4:44:04 PM
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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 |
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Across the Fence: What's this weird TV nonsense about? |
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What's this weird TV nonsense about?
