UPDATE on converter box... newer version available.

[Cheryl K.]

UPDATE:

THERE ARE EVEN NEWER CONVERT BOXES... JUST RECENTLY RELEASED. They have a ANALOGUE PASS THROUGH FEATURE. The ANALOGUE PASS THROUGH FEATUREallows you to pick up local stations... community centers, schools etc that are low voltage and do not convert to HDTV.



WHEN you go to buy the converter box be sure to get this newer version... it is suppose to be much more stable and a better value. I got mine for our main TV in the living room. I wish I had known about this before I bought my first one.

[Cheryl K.]

Ladyrags, I wanted to thank you for posting info about the converter boxes. We just installed ours (so easy to do!) and the reception is incredible! We get so many more stations, more of nothing, but so many.

Thanks again, now we won't have to buy a new tv or waste $$$$$ on cable, etc!
JoAnne

[Cheryl K.]

Rorimer

Do you get the expand PBS shows where you live... the creat channel is pretty good... they have AMERICA QUILTS and sew with Nancy on 2-3 times a week.

I like the way they repeat shows cause if I can' t catch it the first time I usually catch it the second. I do like the expanded how to format... if for no other reason than their is something to watch beside junk.

Our channel 7 Detroit station host the RETRO channel my DH loves... He watch Perry Mason, Simon and Simon, Alfred Hitchcock and some of the really old stuff and laughs his head off..... He like remembering the old shows we watch as a kid... and the production values are a hoot.

[Cheryl K.]

Yes, LadyRags, thanks for the converter information. Unfortunately we need to get a rooftop antenna, but that's a one-time outlay of money equal to our stupid monthly cable bill! After we do that, we're FREE of Comcast!

I think it's cool that some stations offer multiple channels -- that retro Channel 7 station sounds right up my alley, and so does the PBS Create station. I'm near Ann Arbor, so I know I'll also be able to get all the Toledo stations.

'thann

[Cheryl K.]

I did find several "extra" PBS stations but haven't yet figured out what they have that I want. Tonight I found a 1946 Dick Tracy movie! The only quilting related show I found was "America Sews" and I found it on three different stations.

We are enjoying the much clearer picture! Oh yeah! Last night we saw Roy Rogers' show. That's going back a long time!

JoAnne

[Cheryl K.]

I just never felt the same about Roy Rogers after I found out he had Trigger stuffed when he died.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Cheryl K.]

Mirkwood

When you get the new roof top antenna look for a multidirectional one.. supposedly they have antenna the will pick up stations over 500 miles away. That way you can pick up some of the northern MI shows... many of the show up here are more rural /home oriented and you might find you like those.

I really miss the local PBS shows they had when we first moved up here... there use to be a great HERBAL GARDEN and several local sewing shows that were fun to watch ... now you just get repeats of the same NATIONAL shows.


I think pretty soon quilting will only be on the INTERNET instead of national TV which I think is a shame... as much as I like this message board it will be too exclusionary if all the quilt information is only on the internet and we loose our connection to free TV.
THE NEXT generation of quilters will miss out.

[Patti P.]

Ruthann, I would be interested to know if you can keep service during one of our many storms. I would LOVE to deep6 Comcast!
-Patti

[Patti P.]

I noted the reception is poor in bad weather... I have trouble getting the Detroit stations which are about 70 miles from my home... I usually can move the antenna and pick up the Flint & Saginaw stations which are only 25-50 miles from my home. When it rains I have to play with and move the antenna a lot in order to keep the signal.... am told this is the same with the satalitte service but I do not know for sure.

The Convert has good points... ie clearer picture and sound but also bad points... loss of signal.

I also noted the signal get reallllly bad at certain times of the day then I have to fuss with the TV antenna go cause I loose signal.. it happens on a regular basics... I could be watching the same station all day and all of the sudden I get nothing.

On the whole it is better... and it is basically FREE

[Patti P.]

Do you know if there is some way to use the VCR, etc. to record from the TV using the converter box? I rarely watch a TV show when it's on, I usually watch at a later time.
JoAnne

[Patti P.]

Sorry.. I do not know as I have not tried to do it yet... When I read through the instruction manual is says nothing about DVD recorders, VCRs etc...

I agree with you I like to do the same ... record what I like then watch it at my convience.

Sometimes I think HDTV this is a big conspiracy to get the viewers to stop watching free TV and only watch cable / satellite or TIBO which can not be played over and over again...

[Patti P.]

LadyRags, our government is doing this to us! Lovely!

JoAnne