Digital TV and Batwing Antenna

[jcanavera]

My glass tube TV bit the dust on my recent trip down to Destin Fl. I went over to Best Buy and picked up a 20" LCD HD TV. Wow, I didn't realize that with many of the local stations now switched over to digital, you can get a great picture with your batwing antenna. Then add the HD aspect and you can get some wow looking TV!

Jack

[fred bartlet]

Jackl, I'm ready to update my Glass Box too but I noticed that the Wingard ant. needs to be upgraded for the new digital TV. Did you do this monification?

Fred B.

[jcanavera]

Fred, mine required no changes. Picked up digital signals fine along with HD broadcasts. I'm not sure what upgrades are necessary unless older antennas are in need. My antenna was manufactured in 2003.

Jack

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by fred bartlet

Jackl, I'm ready to update my Glass Box too but I noticed that the Wingard ant. needs to be upgraded for the new digital TV. Did you do this monification?

Fred B.

Does not need upgrading.

[Jim & Susan]

You shouldn't need to upgrade your antenna. Even the original on my '73 works just fine with the new HD sets and new broadcast signals. I've got a thread describing my exp. here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f450...ams-34784.html

Jim

[ttam]

One of those rare technology moments when an upgrade is *NOT* required!

[rickandsandi]

Digital my foot! Beware of folks trying to sell you something you do not need. Also, nothing is going to happen till 2009 or later! When the anolog signal is dropped all you will need is a little converter box for around $125.00 by then. So do not go out and buy anthing at this time. By the time you will need to upgrade no one will probably have any glass units in their AS's.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by fred bartlet

Jackl, I'm ready to update my Glass Box too but I noticed that the Wingard ant. needs to be upgraded for the new digital TV. Did you do this monification?

Fred B.

Your winguard batwing is fine. Mine works just fine to analog and digital.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

Digital my foot! Beware of folks trying to sell you something you do not need. Also, nothing is going to happen till 2009 or later! When the anolog signal is dropped all you will need is a little converter box for around $125.00 by then. So do not go out and buy anthing at this time. By the time you will need to upgrade no one will probably have any glass units in their AS's.

Actually solid signal has a channel master converter for around $70.
Channel Master ATSC Coupon Eligible Converter Box CM-7000 (CECB) | [] | dta box digital receiver analog box ft-300rt cm7000 tuner conversion box convertor box DTA box analog to digital converter February 17, 2009 Coupon Eligible Converter Box (CECB)

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Actually solid signal has a channel master converter for around $70.
Channel Master ATSC Coupon Eligible Converter Box CM-7000 (CECB) | [] | dta box digital receiver analog box ft-300rt cm7000 tuner conversion box convertor box DTA box analog to digital converter February 17, 2009 Coupon Eligible Converter Box (CECB)

Michelle-

That is a wicked price! OK everyone, follow Michelle's link for the best price on a conversion box if you need one!

[ckeysor]

The following is a link to the website set up by the Feds offering to give out up to 2 free vouchers that pay for most of the cost of a converter. I applied for mine in December after hearing about it on NPR. There is a time period where anyone can apply, but after that only low income folks can.

I have not received my vouchers yet but I think I read they will send them out in April.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

[jdalrymple]

I to was impressed with the quality of picture with digital compared to analog. The antenna just "sees" the radio signal, it doesn't care how the tv picture is coded to "ride" the signal. So everyone is correct, no upgrade needed to the antenna, batwing or otherwise.

When in wal-mart I noticed the new DVD recorders are avaiable with digital tuners. This would allow one to purchase a DVD recorder and hook it to an analog TV, with video jacks, and not need a convertor box. Like in the old days when you could hook an old TV with out remote control to a VCR and have all the latest features, well almost...

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by ckeysor

I have not received my vouchers yet but I think I read they will send them out in April.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

I applied for mine but since I already own an HDTV I do not qualify.

[RoadKingMoe]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

I to was impressed with the quality of picture with digital compared to analog. The antenna just "sees" the radio signal, it doesn't care how the tv picture is coded to "ride" the signal. So everyone is correct, no upgrade needed to the antenna, batwing or otherwise.

This is correct. Beware of salesmen trying to sell you a so-called HDTV antenna. They'll be right by the converter boxes when you go to redeem your $40 government coupons. Even Radio Shack will be in the act, selling Zenith branded LG boxes for $69.95, or $29.95 after coupon.

[wahoonc]

FWIW I won a 16.5" LCD screen TV with digital tuner at my last company picnic It is slated for installation in my Airstream...one of these days I did, however check it out hooked up to my 20+ year old rotator home antenna. Great picture and great pickup on the number of stations over the older analog set in the house. Don't need to "upgrade" any antennas unless you are using a coat hanger and tinfoil...then it might be advantageous

Aaron

[rickandsandi]

You mean I have to upgrade?

[Jim Foster]

Tha digital signals are being broadcast by most stations, especially in larger cities.
We installed a 20" Vizio HD in our 1965 Caravel a year ago. The only problem is, I should have put in a bigger set. The old antenna, the folding one outside on the left front corner, with the little handle inside to turn it, works just fine. If your antenna has a UHF loop built in, which most all have since the 60s, it will pick up digital broadcast just fine.

As far as a box to convert your old TV to play digital, that's up to you.....But...after seeing HD on a new, flat, bright screen, I don't have an old "tube" TV I want to spend the converter money to watch.
Does the saying "throwing good money after bad" ring a bell?