Reader comments
Clock ticking on adapting old TVs

Get rid of your broadcast TV. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. Don't get cable. Use this as an opportunity to gain several hours of life each day. Sure, watch the occasional DVD but dump the cable.

Come on. This is a non-story. It has been estimated that only 7% of the people in this nation rely on over-the-air broadcast signals to get their TV. Accordingly, 93% of the people will not be affected at all. Can we stop already with the "sky if falling" approach to this change?

I'm letting the new government regulations kill the propaganda device inside my home.

If it's not on VHS, DVD, or distributed through the internet, I'm not watching it.

How many times have we heard, "shut off the TV!"? Really, when we get depressed in life all we do is turn off the TV and Talk Radio and the week suddenly gets better. I hardly watch TV now. The Media has ruined our country. All they have to say in the morning is, "Looks like it's going to be another bad day for the market" and then it becomes EXACTLY what they pontificate about, by their influence.

To make the transition. I have personally tried the converter boxes, they work fine, but a bit more hassle to operate with the old TV. The easiest was to by a new TV with the digital tuner. Another benefit is there are a number of additional channels (free) from most of the TV stations that are available on the DTV lineup. Cable and satellite can do the "converting" for you, but at a price of monthly fees. While most of the country is cable viewers, as mentioned above, Utah has always been one of the biggest in terms of percentage of off-air viewers because of the high mountains for transmission and little foliage (thick trees can reduce signals from TV transmitters). There will still be a lot of people affected in this market. Interestingly a lot of the rural areas won't be as seriously impacted because they have translators that are already converting the digital signals from Salt Lake back to analog, thank Parsons for that benefit!

What none of these articles mention (much easier to just parrot the FCC press releases) is that people who live close to the transmitters (e.g. Magna, Kearns, Tooele) will find it difficult or impossible to receive digital without a large rooftop antenna. Cable isn't worth the price, so for the times when I need to receive TV I've been forced to spring for most of a C-note worth of new equipment. Thanks for nothing, Shrub.

you are welcome, TWIGGY!

Do you realize how much money in PSA's, Government Coupons and other costs have been spent on this Issue.

I can think of some people on fixed Incomes or other wise unable to switch over might need this but not pounded into us as it has been.

This is worse then the 2000 thing with the Computers.

I picture that some people still have Tube operated TV's. I have a very old 27" Consul TV that still works fine and is little slow warming up. The Cabinet is good and I like the Wood. A lady I Home Teach has the same TV only hers is in better shape. When mine breaks I will then buy a New High Def TV. All the other TV's have either VCR or DVD slots or both.

We depend on Cable because of l our location on the Island (very West area Leeward just a few miles from the end, a couple of miles further west Radio Reception fades and Cell Phones become spotty. Like 1 Bar up at the Church.

I think to much money was spent informing people that did not need the information. Only 2-5% need this.

I don't know why people complain about stories that only affect a small percentage of people. That small percentage appreciates being informed! I personally only have rabbit ears for my television. I can't afford to pay for both internet service and television, and I choose internet. But I do like to watch the news on TV occasionally. I had forgotten I need to get an adapter, but because of this story I went to the website and signed up for my coupon. So for me this is not a "non-story," and I appreciate the reminder. Thanks, D News!

I "turned off" my tv 3 years ago when I cancelled my cable subscription. I have lived very well without it.

The only things I have watched on the boob tube these past 36 months are dvd's that I rented or purchased. I get my news on the internet and I don't need the stupidity of the sitcoms and real-tv that commercial television offers these days.

I wish I had done it sooner!

I went into dept and bought a new 50 inch flat screen TV. I had a new satellite dish installed as well, and now I can view the world. My new TV & dish make me feel extremely special, and all my neighbors are envious and gloating...... Ha! Ha! Ha!

I'm so blessed.

Haven't watched tv in over 5 years - don't miss it a bit. I watch my sporting events at other locations or occasionally via internet. I prefer news in real time and catered to what I'm interested in (internet). TV is a thing of the past.

Prison Inmates in States where they allow, personal TV's (like Arizona). Might be effected by this, then again maybe Not.

GEE, this is sad for those of you who like TV and cannot afford a new television. My deepest sympathies to you folks.

Be Aware: The digital signals will NOT cover as many square miles as the traditional analog signals
did. For the TV (or the converter) to download and
process the digital signal it needs a near "perfect"
signal. In the past the signals were still viewable with a little fuzz and noise (static), but the "digitial" in order to function needs all the data bits!!

That along with the fact that all the Salt Lake City TV signals will now be on the UHF band (that always has had a smaller signal "footprint" over a city's coverage area) will definitely make receiving TV at all a Much Bigger project for people not on cable or satellite.

The real losers on all this are those with the battery operated "portable" smaller TVs. The converter boxes will be BIGGER than the TVs themselves and they too will have to get a "Good Signal" to function. Are any of the converter boxes
"Battery Powered" for those with the portable TVs??

I suspect that the "Day After" February 17th, many TV repair guys will get many many calls for Help...

I have three FREE tv's. I suppose it won't do much good to take them to DI's. They are large tv's and about three years old. Perhaps I'll just have the garbage man deliver them to the nearest landfill.