2009 HDTV conversion. - Page 3 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

merrylander · #31 12-24-2007, 02:38 PM

I have the MPEG-2 standard around here someplace and the HDTV standard pretty much followed it, except for using different sound compression. As near as I remember it incorporates two screen sizes, the HDTV 1080i and the older 525 line system. So transmission will be digital but the screen aspect ratio (4:3) of older sets should be accomodated.

peverett · #32 12-24-2007, 02:39 PM

You are correct about the confusion, and not just in this forum. I went to Radio Shack today and was looking at the lone HD radio on display and the clerk was saying that analog radio, as well as analog TV, was ending in 2009 (not at all true). Some customer had told her that. I corrected her.

I probably could have titled the thread better, but just wanted people to know that the 2012 date for cable/satellite is not fiction as some have indicated.

andy · #33 12-24-2007, 02:59 PM

I think that 2012 ruling only forces cable companiess to support analog TVs, it doesn't force them to keep sending analog channels. This just means that they have to give you a cable box with an NTSC RF output if they turn off analog cable. After 2012, we might start seeing cable boxes with only HDMI.

radiotvnut · #34 12-24-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy

I think that 2012 ruling only forces cable companiess to support analog TVs, it doesn't force them to keep sending analog channels. This just means that they have to give you a cable box with an NTSC RF output if they turn off analog cable. After 2012, we might start seeing cable boxes with only HDMI.

Just to be safe, we should all try to secure a few boxes with RF output just in case they are no longer issued in the coming years. I have 2 or 3 stand alone old style cable boxes floating around here. I'm sure these will be totally worthless when cable does go full digital.

andy · #35 12-24-2007, 04:53 PM

I'm sure someone will make a HDMI to NTSC converter (even though such a device would be illegal).

peverett · #36 12-24-2007, 06:07 PM

Interesting article concerning the present situation with HDTV sets.

http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/s...leID=205200372

peverett · #37 12-24-2007, 08:25 PM

Not HDTV, but somewhat related. Anyone have a GM car 2005 or older with On Star? Good luck.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/12/24/c....ap/index.html

Note the part about analog having greater range than digital. My mothers analog cell phone vs. her digital one(she is in a rural area) is proof of this.

Sandy G · #38 12-24-2007, 08:39 PM

The Gummint giveth, the Gummint taketh away....

wa2ise · #39 12-24-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy G

The Gummint giveth, the Gummint taketh away....

And many people called it the "Funny Cookie Corporation"...

andy · #40 12-24-2007, 10:30 PM

I'll have to fire up my old Motorola "brick" cell phone one last time before it becomes a brick. It's not activated, but it still gets a signal.

peverett · #41 12-24-2007, 10:47 PM

I have an early Motorola Pager(now a small brick), a Motorola Microtac phone(been a brick for several years), and a Motorola TDMA phone that it is about to become a brick. I have already have gotten my GSM replacement phone. I even have a Zenith radio with the 45 MHZ band (brick since the 1940s)- it has the standard FM band also.

Luckily, I do not have a GM automobile that is about to have a brick mounted in the dash.

Jonathan · #42 12-24-2007, 11:22 PM

I doubt that HDMI will replace component video other than with 1080p applications. Most HDTV boxes whether cable, satellite, or ATSC have no VGA port. RF output probably won't go away for a long time, as people who don't want to buy a new TV won't buy one anyway if they are "forced" too because of the 2009 conversion or providers misleading customers. I don't like LCD or plasma in TV applications, so I will not be buying one. Don't bother saving old cable boxes unless you want to run your own personal cable system with modulators. Remember most cheaper cable boxes worked like the old UHF converters, took the IF from the cable TV carriers and inserted that onto VHF channel 3 or 4.

radiotvnut · #43 12-24-2007, 11:29 PM

I have a big Stromberg Carlson wooden table radio with both the old and new FM bands as well as AM.

As far as old cable boxes, I had one years ago that had a rotary dial similar to a TV tuner. I think it had 37 positions on it. Must have been from the '70's. I think I still have one of those Jerrold boxes with the row of "click" pushbuttons. I think our cable company still issued those out in the '80's.

whoaru99 · #44 12-25-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Just to be safe, we should all try to secure a few boxes with RF output just in case they are no longer issued in the coming years. I have 2 or 3 stand alone old style cable boxes floating around here. I'm sure these will be totally worthless when cable does go full digital.

Yes, quite likely they will (be worthless).

And, further, afaik, there is nothing that says the cable co has to provision a box that comes from outside their system. That's why most of those STBs that sell online are actually worthless in many cases.

Just for kicks, call your cable company some time an tell them you came upon a cable box and you'd like to have it activated. See what they say...

andy · #45 12-25-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoaru99

Yes, quite likely they will (be worthless).

And, further, afaik, there is nothing that says the cable co has to provision a box that comes from outside their system. That's why most of those STBs that sell online are actually worthless in many cases.

Just for kicks, call your cable company some time an tell them you came upon a cable box and you'd like to have it activated. See what they say...

For some odd reason digital cable boxes go for good money on ebay. I don't know if people are clueless, or if there's something I don't know about them. As far as I know it's impossible to make them work, even for analog channels, without cable company activation. It would be nice if there was a hack to enable analog and clear QAM digital channels because flea markets are full of old digital cable boxes. These boxes would be ideal for vintage TVs since they have remote volume controls.

Don't be so sure about RF and component video lasting a long time if the MPAA has their way. They want all analog video to disappear as soon as possible (analog sunset). Encrypted digital HD(r)MI only is their goal. Cable boxes and HD/Blu-ray players already have the ability to turn off their analog video outputs if they are told to. I don't think hollywood cares if we all have to buy new TVs if it makes it harder to copy their movies.