Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with TV and digital

Is there decent Free to Air Digital TV in Canada?

generichuman — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:05:52 -0800

What's the state of Free to Air digital TV in Toronto? I'm in the midst of moving back to Canada after a few years in the UK, and it's decision time: do I pack my digital indoor antenna or not?

I've gotten used to free (well, minus licence fee) digital television – Freeview. Living in Canada, I always had cable. This time around I'd rather not give any more money than necessary to the ghost of Ted Rogers.

Are there free digital TV channels available in Toronto? Am I in for a rude surprise when I scan for new channels?

If it makes a difference, the TV I'm shipping back is a Sharp Aquos with a built in digital tuner, hooked up to indoor amplified digital rabbit ears.

Thanks!

That movies used to look so good...

SpacemanStix — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:53:55 -0800

Would it be correct to say that with digital technology, we don't have to worry about movies and TV becoming faded and washed out over time like they used to? I've always understood that the loss of vibrancy has to do with the deterioration of film over time. If this is the case, will my children not have to suffer the same fate with their favorite shows and movies?

Where do people go for B-roll?

bryanjbusch — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:56:44 -0800

I'm thinking of shooting and uploading some b-roll for sale to others who might need it, with locations and keywords and all. Is there a marketplace for this? When people are putting together news clips (or any kind of video, but mostly news), they usually shoot some extra footage that they can use to cover up jumpy edits, or for voiceovers. They call it B-roll.

Is there a marketplace for b-roll that you haven't shot yourself? Let's say you're doing even yet still another story about obesity in America and you need a shot of heavy people with no heads. If you're not sure you can go shoot some b-roll of this before the deadline, could you buy some online?

Wait, why are we doing this, again?

theefixedstars — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:37:06 -0800

I want to understand more about the switch from analog to digital television. Why is the FCC doing this, and how are the analog waves now going to be used? Where can I go to find out more information?

At what moment will the analog TV signal die?

k7lim — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:23:11 -0800

My friends and I would like to observe the switch-off of analog TV. The FCC has mandated that all analog TV stations stop on February 19, 2009. I'm planning to procure a bunny-eared TV to watch the signal go dead. Can anyone help me pinpoint when this moment is going to be? (This is going to be SO much better than New Year's)

Really small TV goes digital?

skillet — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:47:27 -0800

Really small TVs & digital conversion - For many years, I have had a really small Sanyo TV (Model TMP 2175). It has AM/FM, a clock and a real small black & white 2 inch diagonal screen. My favorite feature of this little gizmo is that you can set an alarm so the TV turns on for about an hour - I've found this a very effective morning alarm...TV sound blares on, screen shines enough in my eyes to wake me up. . How can I make this thing work when things go digital? Or...will this thing become my emergency AM/FM radio when the digital conversation gets done in February?
Related question - are there any TVs that small with a timer that are digital that can do this?
By the way, I don't have cable...perfectly happy with the over air obnoxious news waking me up in the morning.
This thing does have a one antenna just like one you'd see on an AM/FM radio that helps with reception. There's a plug for an EXT ANT (external antenna), but I've never used it.

Help Me Watch the Olympics

jimmyjimjim — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:14:30 -0800

I really want to watch the olympics. Here's why I can't: 1. My tv's digital, so can't pick up broadcast...and I don't have cable. I tried a digital antenna, to pick up digital broadcasts, but the signals are faint and there are no NBC affiliates broadcasting digital near me anyway.

2. I can't watch online because I have a PPC mac, and NBC's online video requires an Intel Mac (i tried spoofing the user agent, but the hangup is that they require silverlight 2.0, which only runs on Intel).

3. I can't watch in a bar because the sound's down, and I'm too dumb about sports to really understand everything without the commentary.

4. I can't watch in a friend's house, because I don't have any friends close enough to spend 4 hours on their couch every night for the next week.

So.......I thought of buying an intel mac and returning it in two weeks, but that's sleazy (plus there'd be restocking fees). I thought of buying cable for a week and then returning it, but it'd take 2 weeks for the cable guy to come hook me up.

So the only solution I can think of is to buy a cheap non-digital tv and antenna and watch broadcast NBC. It's still not SO cheap, unfortunately...unless I buy one in, like, a pawnshop. OTOH I'm not sure you can buy one in a store at this point anyway. Any other ideas?

Why the DTV lag?

middleclasstool — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:04:43 -0800

Why does a tv station's digital signal lag behind its analog signal? We're one of those annoying families that refuses to pay for TV. We forked over the cash for an HDTV with a digital tuner, and absolutely love the results -- more channels, better quality, total freeness.

But we've noticed a weird thing. Our other two TVs are still on rabbit ears. One of them, in the kitchen, is well within earshot of the HDTV in the living room. Yet if we have the same show on both TV sets, there is a distinct lag, not more than maybe two or three seconds, between the two shows.

This happens on all networks, so I know it's not a channel-specific thing. I haven't timed it, but I'm positive the lag is precisely the same length regardless of the channel, too.

Is there a technical reason for this lag to occur? I know the DTV signal is actually being transmitted on a totally separate frequency (channel 2's digital channels, 2.1-2.4, are actually broadcasting on channel 5's frequency, for instance), so what could be the reason for the delay?

CABLE GUY!!!

nushustu — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:50:36 -0800

Will I still have cable next year? Two years ago I signed up for high-speed internet through the cable company. After it was hooked up, I also started receiving cable tv. It's the basic cable package, I guess. None of the premium channels. I called the cable company to tell them I didn't want the package, and they told me they would shut it off. They didn't.

After my first bill came, I was surprised to see that I wasn't being charged for the tv, just the internet. I called them again, and again was told it would be shut off.

Two years later. I've had cable tv all of this time for free. And now I enjoy a lot of shows. If the cable company were to shut it off, obviously I wouldn't be in a position to complain. In the meantime, since I've called them more than once and mentioned that I'm getting cable for free, I pretty much wash my hands of any guilt associated with the situation.

However, I know everything has to go digital in February 2009. Obviously, if there are upgrades involved, I won't be getting them from the cable company. I would like to keep getting cable. If it's going to be shut off next February, I'll need to start paying for the service afterwards. If that's the case, it would help me to start putting a little away for that now.

So when this change-over happens, am I going to lose my cable tv until I pay for an upgrade? Or will the thing just switch over without me noticing?

Digital TV Conversion in the US 2009 - what to do?

rainbaby — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:31:06 -0800

2009 Digital TV conversion. What do I need to know? I know something is happening with television in 2009. I'll need new TVs or digital converter boxes, right? What do I need to know and how can I prepare for this change? (US). My family has A Lot Of Televisons. Not that I watch them so much, but still, there are seven TVs in the house. General pre-planning advice?

New cable box?

Aanidaani — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:13:59 -0800

I subscribe to Comcast digital cable and I'm interested in getting some HD programming for my HDTV: the problem is that my cable box is not capable of supporting HD. I would like to get a new box that can transmit an HD signal to my TV, but I don't want to rent one. Can anyone tell me where to find out which boxes are supported and where best to buy one? I've tried to find information on Comcast's website, but I'm having some difficulty. It seems that they want me to rent their cable box, but I figure it will be cheaper in the long run for me to buy my own. If it helps, I live in Colorado Springs, area code 80920, and Comcast just moved into the area. My old box from Adelphia still works fine, but as mentioned, it doesn't support HD. Any ideas on which one I should buy and where to get it? Thanks!

Can I send my digital TV signal to my analogue DVD/HDD recorder?

UbuRoivas — Sun, 13 May 2007 21:03:41 -0800

Can I send my digital TV signal to my analogue DVD/HDD recorder? I have a TV with a built-in high-definition digital receiver. My DVD/hard disk recorder, however, has a shitty analogue receiver.

I have been trying to get the DVD to accept the signal from the AV-out of the TV, so I can record at digital-quality (reception is way way way better) but with no luck. Any advice on how/whether this can be done? I have tried using the red-yellow-white cables, but don't particularly feel like throwing $ away on s-video / DVI etc cables unless I am convinced that it can be done...

Australian context, if that makes any difference.

Ditching DirecTV for Broadcast?

carterk — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:04:39 -0800

Can I ditch Satellite and just use (free) broadcast TV? Here’s the thing- I spend about $50 each month for DirecTV, and primarily watch major network shows. I’m wondering if I could get 95% of what I want for free if I installed a good antenna and bought a new television capable of receiving digital (hell, maybe even HDTV) signals.

While I don’t need HDTV or the very best picture (hey, right now I’m watching a 10 year old magnavox, dig?), ghosting, static, or the inability to get one of the major networks would be a deal killer (ok, I don’t need the CW). I live on top of a hill, about 8 miles from downtown Seattle.

Some specific questions:

The guy at Circuit City claimed that broadcast HDTV signals would not have the clarity I’d get from cable or satellite transmissions. True?

Could I buy a recent model used (non-HDTV) TV and still receive digital signals? How long has digital capability been built into sets?

I have Tivo and cannot ever go back. Assuming I can’t buy the new HD Tivo, does using conventional tivos in any way further complicate my plans? I must have at least one dual tuner or two single tuner boxes.

And while I deeply appreciate all the detailed answers you want to give me., I would equally appreciate pointers to primers on the web that will further educate me on these topics. Except don’t just tell me to go to avsforum, unless you can be more specific- I’ve spent a couple hours there already without finding out what I need.

Which manufacturers make well-built home theater equipment at a reasonable price?

danwalker — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 19:21:06 -0800

Over the past several years, I have been burned by poor quality in home electronics from various manufacturers. I have purchased pieces by Sony (home stereo), Panasonic (theatre-in-a-box) and RCA (various pieces of junk), and all have given out in one way or another far too quickly for my liking. In a renewed attempt to build a proper home theatre system (DVD/CD, receiver, speakers, etc), and recognizing that I haven't the money for really high-end stuff but will avoid anything cheap, I seek outside opinions as to which manufacturers are making products that are of reasonable quality, and reasonably priced. Your experiences, please.

What application do you use to record TV on your PC?

sebas — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 05:34:24 -0800

What application do you use to record TV on your pc? (More Inside) I bought a new pc over the weekend and now I am the proud owner of a Pinnacle PCTV card, cable tv, hundreds of Gb free hard disk space and a tv close to my pc. The pc came with something called Pinnacle Media Center, which does not work too well.

What I would like to have is an application that allows me to schedule recordings and play back of course. What is your favourite program? (Currently running Windows XP, but have no problems with switching to Linux for this.)

Can anyone recommend a TV tuner for a Mac?

rorycberger — Mon, 14 Jun 2004 18:18:21 -0800

Can anyone recommend a TV tuner for a Mac? I have an iBook, so it has to be either a firewire or USB model (not a PC card), and i'm hoping to spend under a hundred bucks. I have no real interest in any TVR functions, as my hard drive is maxed out already and I have a TiVo at home. I'm at Dartmouth for a month - which is in the middle of nowhere - so it must be available online to be shipped immediately, preferably with expedited shipping.