The day that analog television died
Is it just me or has there been very little press at the second go-round of switching from analog to digital television? Personally, I've barely heard a word.
Yeah, I saw a couple of commercials on television reminding me that June 12 is the new date but nothing like I saw earlier this year when the date was still February 17.
I'm guessing the reason for this is that the switchover to digital television, like Y2K, has been beat to death. So I'm going to do my part and leave it alone as well.
R.I.P. analog television
Just know that by the time you read this, analog television will (should) be dead.
Mainly out of curiosity, I am dying to know if anyone actually woke up this morning unable to watch television. If you did, leave a comment below and tell me your story. I'd love to hear it!
11 comments for this blog post so far...
June 12, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Joshua Roof
We bought the converter boxes months ago and have since lost the remotes. Turns out, we have to rescan to pick up some of the channels but there is no way to do it unless I have the remote. So right now I can’t get WTTV (4) or NBC (13)…
June 13, 2009 at 10:34 am
Patric Welch
@Joshua: You might be the only person I know who can’t pick up the new digital channels because you can’t find the remote!
June 16, 2009 at 5:33 am
Dorothy Dotson
I rescanned after the change and it even added Ch.23 which I never had before. Ch. 13 was there as always. [No Ch. 8,but I knew that---I have to get an antenna to get CBS back.] On Sunday I turned on the TV and Ch. 23 and Ch. 13 were both GONE! I rescanned, still gone and this all happened well AFTER the cutover. Don’t know what happened, but not happy!
June 16, 2009 at 7:27 am
Bud Keller
Here in the Detroit metro area our change went well (those with converters)—but at our summer spot near Lansing, we went from receiving 10 channels to 4—so now I have to get a huge antenna to replace the one I have or get DirectTV like my neighbors (No way). Not that we watch that much TV when we are up there, but now I can’t get NBC and I missed the Stanley Cup finals last Friday! Come to think of it I probably would have been depressed after!) —also any good uses for the small handheld TVs many of us had or the one I have that has a built in radio and spotlight (kept it on my boat).
I appreciate your service—and being a former Indy folk (Cathedral man) I’m glad for your success.
June 18, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Patric Welch
@Dorothy: You mentioned you have to get an antenna to get CBS back. What are you using now? If you have cable or satellite you shouldn’t have had to do any rescanning.
June 18, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Patric Welch
@Bud: Too bad. Most people find they get more channels after switching to digital. Also too bad about the Red Wings. Sorry ‘bout that.
Not sure what to tell you about your handheld TV. A backup boat anchor? :)
June 18, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Dorothy Dotson
I don’t have cable or satellite. I never got Ch 8 on the digital TV and now, of course, I’ve lost Ch 13 as well. Today’s paper had a complicated rescan procedure that I’m going to try. The ‘regular’ type rescan got Ch 13 and Ch 23… for a short moment. I found out that 13 moved from UHF to VHF and that was the reason I couldn’t get 8. It’s always been VHF. Back in the analog days I couldn’t get 6 at all, but I have that now with digital. I need a combo UHF/VHF outdoor antenna and I hope that will get me all the local stations. I’m totally disgusted with the whole mess.
June 19, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Patric Welch
@Dorothy: Call Jim Daniel at Attic Antenna and tell him Patric from Noobie said he would take care of you. 317-781-0149.
June 19, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Dorothy Dotson
Thanks for the info. I don’t know much about them & don’t know if I want an antenna in the attic, but I’ll check with him.
June 19, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Patric Welch
@Dorothy: Don’t let the name fool you. He can install outside too. Or recommend the best overall solution for you.
June 19, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Dorothy Dotson
That was fast! Thanks.
Add A Comment
Need help leaving a comment?
Just fill out your name, email address (for our eyes only) and web site address (if you have one, this is optional) above. Next, type your comment in the comment box. Feel free to use the Enter key to leave spaces between paragraphs.
The last step before submitting your comment is to enter the CAPTCHA word. This is the funny little series of letters and numbers you see below the comment field that helps prevent comment spam and ensures your comment can be seen on the web site immediately after you submit it.
The last step is to click the "Submit Your Comment" button. Thank you for commenting.