DTV Test Questions, Day 2

JT Writes:

My new TV, with both digital (D) and analog (A) tuners will not automatically switch from A to D without me telling it to do so. You should of told viewers that they might need to change from their analog tuners to their digital tuners or turn on their converter boxes. In my case, I had to switch from A 11 to D 11.1.

Hi JT,

We got a few calls where I think viewers were in a similar situation: digital TV’s tuned to our analog channel.  We’ll be sure to include information about that scenario in our next test in January.

Our digital signal is currently on UHF 59.  In February it will move to our VHF 11 channel.  The effective power of the signal will also increase.  We’re currently at a slightly lower power level than some of the other Baltimore stations, so that may explain the results of your test.

Hope that’s helpful, and thanks for watching!

John

Maria in Westminster writes:

I have satellite but receive my local Balt stations through on an antenna(11-1,11-2 etc.  My HD TV worked perfectly through the test.  My old tv did not.  I saw the rolling message.  Can I add the converter box to my satellite box to receive the stations?

Hi Maria,

The converter box ideally needs to be plugged directly into your antenna and your TV.  Trying to run it through your satellite box is just going to cause headaches.

I’m not familiar will all the variations of satellite boxes out there, but for what it’s worth, here’s my suggestion:  I’d try hooking up the digital converter box completely independently of the satellite box using different inputs to the TV.  You’d then just use your TV remote to switch between the satellite input and the digital converter box input.

Again, though, I’m not an expert on satellite TV setups.  A satellite installer would be ale to give you more thorough advice.

Hope that helps, and thanks for watching!

John

Elizabeth in Glen Arm writes:
Will a newly purchased TV work without being hooked up to cable?

Hi Elizabeth,

So long as that new TV is digital or “ATSC” ready, and your antenna is able to receive a strong enough signal, there is no need for cable.

William in Dundalk writes:

I have a HDef Digital TV  and I still just git the Color Bars. Do I still need a Converter box?
The other TV is an old type of TV and I have a converter box hooked up to it. Last night it still only received the Color Bars.

Hi William,

First of all, as I understand your setup, you are ready for digital TV.  You don’t need to buy anything else.  You just have some settings to work out.

Here’s what I think happened:   even the new digital TV’s are capable of receiving analog broadcasts.  Tuning to channel “11″ may cause the TV to look for an analog channel.  Some require that you specify channel “11.1″ or “11.2″ for them to switch to the digital system.  Try tuning to channel 11.2 any time.  If you see our 24-hour Insta-Weather+ channel, you’ll know you’re looking at digital TV.

Same goes for your older TV hooked up to a converter box.  You need to be sure that TV is showing the output of the converter box.  This is usually on channel 3, or the “Video Input,” depending on how you hooked up the box.

Also, many TV’s and converter boxes must be “auto-scanned” before they can see digital TV channels.  This function is available in your menu screens and may be labeled “channel search” or “auto-program” or a similar name.

Hope that’s helpful, and thanks for watching!

John