Questions about converter boxes

03.10.07

Monday, March 10, 2008

By Ced Kurt, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

TechMan got a ton of e-ails about his recent column on the switch to digital TV and converter boxes.

I have tried to answer as many of the e-mails personally as possible, but there is one overriding theme. Do I need a converter box if I have cable, don't have a cable box and have an analog TV?

The answer is no.

Cable companies produce analog signals (this is how you can get cable on an analog TV with no box). They plan to continue to do so. Comcast, for example, has told us they will not cease analog service. This has nothing to do with the coming switch to digital. It is the policy of the cable company.

Here's an interesting note I got from reader Brendan:

Just wanted to share my story in relation to Rebecca's question on converters. About 4 years ago, my wife and I bought a house and decided to go without cable for a while.

So I went out and bought the cheapest rabbit ears I could find. I think they were about $15. Fast foward till last fall, we still were without cable, but decided to take the plunge and buy a Vizio HDTV (I love my Xbox360).

I pulled the TV out of the box, attached the rabbit ears, and let the TV scan for channels. Much to my amusement, the TV started picking up almost every digital channel from Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Johnstown, and Wheeling. Pretty awesome, considering I didn't know I had a digital antenna.

The best part, the digital feeds are always crystal clear. The feeds from outside Pittsburgh sometimes freeze when they are weak, but I never once had a problem with any of the Pittsburgh networks.

This demonstrates a couple of points. TV stations are broadcasting in digital now. If your TV has a digital tuner, you don't need a converter box. Your reception of digital TV over the airwaves depends on your physical location (hills etc.) and the quality of your antenna. Thanks for the tale, Brendan.

First published on March 10, 2008 at 12:57 am