June 23, 2008
On February 17, 2009 I will be completely emancipated from sending money to Charter Communications. That's the day that all television stations on analog are required to broadcast solely on digital. The TV converter box that will be required for older tv sets will allow people to view network tv channels and other free stations in a very clear picture with no fuzz or static. I have been paying Charter to get the network stations ("basic cable") because rabbit ears are not sufficient in my house to pick up much of anything. I will no longer need Charter to provide me with clear reception, which they do intermittently anyway, because they suck.
Posted by megabeth at June 23, 2008 02:19 PM
As far as I know, all local Birmingham stations are broadcasting in digital today. So, you could be free of Charter now if you want to. However, if your rabbit ears do not pick up the analog stations then you will probably have issues picking up the digital channels as well. Remember, digital television just means 1s and 0s are broadcast instead of an analog waveform. It is still over-the-air broadcast. So, if your signal is poor the channel will not come in at all as opposed to static. The Birmingham area has a second challenge in that not all stations are located on Red Mountain. That means you can point your antenna (yes, you still need an antenna to get digital channels over the air) at Red mountain and get all channels but ABC which is located in Tuscaloosa/Gadsden. This means you have to rotate your antenna to get that channel. Otherwise you need multiple antennas.
The digital conversion is going to be an absolute mess next year. I, for one, hope to find a way to profit from it! :)
Posted by: Shadowhelm at June 24, 2008 10:07 AM
I am getting great reception with rabbit ears. I love being Charter Free. I have the unbearable lightness of being everytime I think about it. I was surprised at the amazing reception since I have horrible phone coverage and my house is in a major valley. Maybe the digital signal is the difference and maybe a converter would help you if your TV is analog.
If rabbit ears don't work for you, I noticed they have old fashioned roof antennas at Lowes.
Posted by: A at June 28, 2008 06:46 PM
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