How Can You Tell if TV is Digital Ready Just By Looking?

[Jack 1000]

We have TWC,

So we are covered for the digital transition for February 2009.  The requirement at that time will be to do one of three things:

1.) Subscribe to cable/dish to continue to watch almost all OTA TV

2.) Get a box to convert the digital signals to analog  OR

3.) Buy a new TV.

Our TV is a 32" Toshiba with analog and digital tuning, but on the specs sheet the channel range, while three digits does not show the ten's place, for example 58.1 and 58.2.  Does that mean that our TV would not be digital ready without having step#1 or step #2 in place?  (We bought it in February 2006, note that it is an SD model.)

On a digital set, for channel 58 just as an example, how do you get the .2 and .3 channels?  That's what I am confused about.  How new does your TV have to be assuming it's still an SD model for it to be able to receive channels after the transfer?  If people just bought a TV less than 5 years ago, could they also be SOUL, without meeting steps #1/or #2 above.

Jack

[kevbeck122]

On my TVs, there is a . button on the remote where you can tune to the subchannels directly.  If your TV's remote doesn't have that button or a - button, you should be able to just use the channel up button to go through the subchannels.

[John L]

If you are wondering if your TV is Digital tuning or Analog or don't know what it is.

On Monday, September 15th just before 5:00 pm put a set of Rabbit ears connect to the antenna to recieve either channels 4, 6, or 12 OTA as they will run a test at around 5:10pm during the News and when the test are running on your TV, you will find out.  Chs 4, 6, and 12 are gonna inject a different video signal into their analog transmitters with simulated snow and telling you that you are NOT converted to digital.  In the meantime their Digital transmitter will send a video signal saying something to the effect you are DTV compliant.

Its a good way to determine what transmission signals your TV receiver is receiving, Analog or Digital.

-John L.

[jjallou]

We have TWC,

So we are covered for the digital transition for February 2009.  The requirement at that time will be to do one of three things:

1.) Subscribe to cable/dish to continue to watch almost all OTA TV

2.) Get a box to convert the digital signals to analog  OR

3.) Buy a new TV.

Our TV is a 32" Toshiba with analog and digital tuning, but on the specs sheet the channel range, while three digits does not show the ten's place, for example 58.1 and 58.2.  Does that mean that our TV would not be digital ready without having step#1 or step #2 in place?  (We bought it in February 2006, note that it is an SD model.)

On a digital set, for channel 58 just as an example, how do you get the .2 and .3 channels?  That's what I am confused about.  How new does your TV have to be assuming it's still an SD model for it to be able to receive channels after the transfer?  If people just bought a TV less than 5 years ago, could they also be SOUL, without meeting steps #1/or #2 above.

Jack

What is the model # of your Toshiba?

[Jack 1000]

What is the model # of your Toshiba?

Got the manual here:

Toshiba 32" SD Color Television FST Pure Color Stream

Model # 32AF45

Purchased February 2006

I don't have the original specs sheet.  It said it was capable of both analog and digital tuning, but the remote has no decimal point to receive sub channels.  I don't care because I will ALWAYS have cable.  But my concern is more for the hundreds of thousands of people who may have TV's that are less than 5 years old, and don't want to screw around with a converter box or subscribe to cable or dish.

Jack

[jjallou]

Got the manual here:

Toshiba 32" SD Color Television FST Pure Color Stream

Model # 32AF45

Purchased February 2006

I don't have the original specs sheet.  It said it was capable of both analog and digital tuning, but the remote has no decimal point to receive sub channels.  I don't care because I will ALWAYS have cable.  But my concern is more for the hundreds of thousands of people who may have TV's that are less than 5 years old, and don't want to screw around with a converter box or subscribe to cable or dish.

Jack

From what I can tell from various websites your set does not have an ATSC tuner in it.  The Toshiba spec sheet doesn't list what tuner is in it, so more than likely it only has the NTSC tuner.

People will need to screw around  :blush: if they want to watch tv and don't meet the minimum requirements (digital tv, CECB Box, cable, or sat). Unless they have lots of DVD's, VHS tapes, or something else in mind.

[Nels Harvey]

Got the manual here:

Toshiba 32" SD Color Television FST Pure Color Stream

Model # 32AF45

Purchased February 2006

I don't have the original specs sheet.  It said it was capable of both analog and digital tuning, but the remote has no decimal point to receive sub channels.

Jack

I looked up the spec's on the internet, and what you have is a 4X3 display TV, with only an NTSC tuner.  There is no mention of an ATSC tuner in the set.

You will need a converter box to view OTA programming when analog goes away.  The screen can be set to a 16X9 display, with letter box black bars on the top, and bottom, but it still is only analog capable.

If you had the needed ATSC tuning capability, the receiver will automatically find the digital sub-channels.  No decimal point on the remote is needed.  That information is contained in the PSIP information contained in the digital signals.  You aren't able to receive those signals on your TV.  You will with a converter box.

Nels....

[Jack 1000]

Thanks,

I did some checking myself and found the same results.  I think that February date is going to be like everyone in the world getting Navigator all at once!  OK, not everyone, but I would estimate that 75% or more of general populations are going to be clueless when this change-over rolls around. Are there any statistics as to how many "rabbit ear/antenna only" households or TV sets there are in the United States compared to those who are DTV ready because they have met the requirements?

When we bought the set, I said we would always have cable and this still holds true.  I think TWC will still provide analog converters after February 2009 for those who just want to by-pass their antennas and nothing else.  They would probably want everyone to get a digital box, but there are too many people I think they would lose subscriber wise if they were "forced." to take a digital box.
Maybe this is a reason why TWC has kept channels 2-99 at analog for so long.  

Jack