ATSC AND NTSC Converter Box???
ron
antenna.
One station (Ch 6) will require an ATSC converter box to receive DTV.
The other channel(CH K26GS) will require a NTSC converter box.
Is there a combination converter box on the market that will work for
ATSC and NTSC channels or do I need 2 individual boxes?
If there is a combination box, which one do you recommend?
Thank you for helping a technically challenged member.
Kimba W Lion
>One station (Ch 6) will require an ATSC converter box to receive DTV.
>The other channel(CH K26GS) will require a NTSC converter box.
>Is there a combination converter box on the market that will work for
>ATSC and NTSC channels or do I need 2 individual boxes?
>If there is a combination box, which one do you recommend?
NTSC is the current TV system (analog), so you don't need a converter box
for that. What you need is an ATSC converter box that will pass the antenna
signal through to your TV set, or an A-B switch to swap the antenna
connection between the box and the TV.
Larry Bud
NTSC is going away Feb of 09.
Alan F
Only full power stations are required shut down their analog NTSC
signal by midnight February 17, 2009. Some low power and Class A
stations will likely be doing a digital flash cut conversion either on
or soon after 02/17/09, but many will stay on analog for a while longer.
K26GS is a translator, looks to be licensed for Mountain Home, AR.
Since it is on an in-core channel, UHF 26, it won't have to move or shut
down the analog signal next February. It may be analog for several years
pass February 2009.
Ron, if you are getting K26GS with your current TV tuner, as already
posted, you just need to either split the signal coming from the antenna
between the digital converter box or get a converter box with RF
passthrough. There are 3 or 4 models that have them, but many do not.
The lack of RF passthrough incidentally has suddenly become a hot issue
for the FCC and the low power stations precisely because of the problem
you face. Something that could easily have been added to the
requirements for all converters boxes a year ago, but FCC blew this
particular item.
Looking up your translator located, I assume your channel 6 is KEMV
PBS 6? KEMV-DT is currently digitally broadcasting on VHF 13 and will
stay on VHF 13 after next February. Looks like you are around 70 miles
from the Springfield, MO stations which is outdoor & rooftop antenna
range for your terrain.
Alan F
ron
So I need an:
(1) ATSC converter box with an automatic NTSC pass through OR
(2) ATSC converter box that has a manual built-in switch selection
between ATSC and NTSC OR
(3) Set-up an external switch myself so the TV antenna input can come
directly from the external antenna (NTSC) or from the output of the
ATSC converter box.
Questions:
(A) Option 3 sounds like a rats nest of wires with possible problems
caused by bad connections.
(B) Option 1 is the best, but what manufacturer(s) makes one?
(C) If Option 1 is not available, what manufactuer(s) makes
a ATSC converter box with an external switch for output from the box
or output directly from the antenna bypassing the box?
Wes Newell
You don't need an NTSC box. Your TV should already have an NTSC tuner in
it. There are many ways to do this. One is to get a DTV converter box that
passes NTSC signals through it. There are several models that will do
that. Another way is to use a splitter to go to the tv as normal and then
go to the converter box with the other coax. From the box use A/V cables
to the TV, vcr, whatever.
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Alan F
I don't know if any of the converter boxes have been made with a
manual switch to bypass the RF circuit. The RF passthrough option means
the box allows the antenna signal through when the converter box is off.
So you use the remote to turn the converter box off and then use the TV
tuner. Awkward, but easier than getting up and manually changing a switch.
The cable and splitter option is 1 splitter and two 3' or 6' pieces of
co-axial cable than; not much wiring. If your TV has composite or
S-Video input, you then connect the converter box to the TV via
composite or S-Video (better). Then you switch inputs with the remote
between the internal tuner and input port.
There are not that many converters with RF passthrough right now. The
FCC is discussing adding this requirement so the 2nd or 3rd round of
converter boxes would have RF passthrough, but this late in the game,
those wouldn't come out until the end of the year. A re-design and
manufacturing change takes time.
The converter models marked with asterisks on this web site are the
models with RF pass-through:
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box.html. Some models have S-Video
out, some or most do not. The ezdigitaltv website looks to be a useful
resource on converter boxes.
BTW, I don't know if you can even pick up the distant stations from
where you are. But if you want to look into it, www.tvfool.com can
predict station signal strength for your location with a decent degree
of accuracy if you plug in your exact location and antenna height for
the roof. If the stations are above around -105 to -110 dBm, a good
rooftop antenna is likely to be able to get them. www.antennaweb.org is
also a handy lookup site, but I consider tvfool.com to be more accurate
& useful for people at deep fringe ranges.
Alan F
dan
> You don't need an NTSC box. Your TV should already have an NTSC tuner in
> it. There are many ways to do this. One is to get a DTV converter box that
> passes NTSC signals through it. There are several models that will do
> that. Another way is to use a splitter to go to the tv as normal and then
> go to the converter box with the other coax. From the box use A/V cables
> to the TV, vcr, whatever.
>
That's what I've been thinking. If the OP only has two channels, then
he can just switch between inputs on his TV to switch between the
converter box input (set on the one HD channel) and the TV antenna input
(set on the NTSC channel). That seems simpler than trying to find a box
that somehow does this for him.
dan
pj
cable boxes & VTRs outputs were all RF (Ch. 3/4)
we had an old Zenith TV with three antenna
inputs switchable via the IR remote control.
When we replaced that TV I bought a three button
75ohm switch at Radio Shack -- worked but
developed contact noise ... also required
walking across the room.
Replaced the switch with a two input, remote
controlled switch. Google for:
< TV antenna switch with remote control >
Remote switch puts cables out of view.
> Questions:
> (A) Option 3 sounds like a rats nest of wires with possible problems
> caused by bad connections.
> (B) Option 1 is the best, but what manufacturer(s) makes one?
> (C) If Option 1 is noot available, what manufactuer(s) makes