Author Topic: So this digital shit happened today... (Read 7072 times)

B E C K · « **on:** Jun 13, 2009, 02:07:55 AM »

Technically yesterday. Are Merla and I the only monkeys this applies to?

We've had our little converter box-dudes for a while. So far, I haven't noticed much difference since the time we've been using to now except that two channels (related channels, including the ABC affiliate) blacked out. But I imagine that sort of thing's to be expected. Those a-holes at the CW are also behind schedule and won't be going digital until July, so I still have no idea whether or not I'll even receive that channel. We're also due for at least one more Spanish station. Off the top of my head, we have LATV, VMe, Telemundo, Univision, MEX something or other, and some Azteca thing that we've never gotten in digital format yet. Pardon me while I contain my joy.

Rama · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 13, 2009, 09:22:37 AM »

It kinda effects me as we only have one dish box and three TVs. So the other two had to have boxes. I got these boxes right. Hook them up and now all my TV looks like a bad internet video from the late 90s. It's like skipping and going the Max Headrom shit all the time. So I look into this and they say I need a new antenna. (This all seems like a way to just sell me more shit if you ask me.) So I go look at this antenna and it's like 90 fucking bucks. I can get a new Dish box for that with a slave unit so I can use it on 2 TVs. Which is what I think I'll do instead of buying that antenna.

Derrick · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 13, 2009, 06:34:33 PM »

This doesn't effect me since I have cable.

Rodent of Unusual Size · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 13, 2009, 07:29:21 PM »

Dish Network here. I may get one at some point just so I have an excuse to leave the antenna up and in case the satellite goes out when a thunderhead floats by.

Derrick · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 13, 2009, 08:25:55 PM »

Another benefit to cable.

Rodent of Unusual Size · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 13, 2009, 09:58:09 PM »

When weighed against having to live in a municipal area vs. wherever the hell I want, it's is a welcome exchange.

B E C K · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 14, 2009, 04:23:05 AM »

Quote from: Rama on Jun 13, 2009, 09:22:37 AM

I can get a new Dish box for that with a slave unit so I can use it on 2 TVs. Which is what I think I'll do instead of buying that antenna.

You might as well. Slaves are great.

I just think it's hilarious that my TV reception is now technically worse than it was before the switch. I understand. This shit takes time. But I better be getttin' ABC in time for LOST next year. I really don't want cable or dish. It'll just encourage me to watch more tv and I watch enough as it is. Every time I go to my dad's (he has satellite, pretty much the service we used to have years back), I'm reminded what a waste most of those channels are. All I watch at his place is the GSN. IMF's gone, CN and Nick are mostly crap, I don't know if Dr. G's show is still on (but if it is, it's not on when I'm over there), CourtTV became tru and every time I see it, it's a show I already saw years ago. I liked HGTV but half of that stuff is getting stupid. There's nothing I care about enough to make me give them my money. Basic cable's only 10$ a month, but I'd rather have my 10$.

Rama · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 15, 2009, 01:17:11 AM »

What I hate is I have a bunch of channels I don't want, but have to "upgrade" to get ones I do. Like I'd love to have like History: International, but I really don't want Angel Network. Wish I could just trade. It use to be like that with our old Sat (you know the big uhuge 15 foot one in the front yard) where if we didn't have channel we wanted I could just pay them like another 10 bucks a year and they'd add it. I did it with Sci-Fi channel back in like 1992 cause it wasn't part of our package. They had like a whole Ala Carte menu and stuff...it was great. No one will do that now though.

B E C K · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 16, 2009, 06:50:19 PM »

They should though. I'd be all over that. I have no problem paying for programming I want. I remember when we had the Dish, I'd go into the settings and make it so the shitty stations like MTV and VH1 wouldn't show up in the programming. But when I go over to my dad's, he doesn't seem to have this feature. It just displays everything, even the shit he doesn't have.

IDE · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 16, 2009, 09:39:49 PM »

I haven't watched tv in 3 months so I wouldn't know.

/struggle

B E C K · « **Reply #10 on:** Jun 17, 2009, 12:34:43 AM »

Struggle? But you're trying to get on TV, right? You don't need to watch it.

Rama · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 17, 2009, 12:46:10 AM »

Quote from: B E C K on Jun 16, 2009, 06:50:19 PM

They should though. I'd be all over that. I have no problem paying for programming I want. I remember when we had the Dish, I'd go into the settings and make it so the shitty stations like MTV and VH1 wouldn't show up in the programming. But when I go over to my dad's, he doesn't seem to have this feature. It just displays everything, even the shit he doesn't have.

What does he have?

B E C K · « **Reply #12 on:** Jun 17, 2009, 01:36:37 AM »

Like what service (Direct vs. Dish) or what sort of package? I think it's one of those that's right above basic. He doesn't have an HBO or anything like that and there are a bunch of channels he doesn't have.

Rama · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 17, 2009, 01:44:37 AM »

Service I mean.

B E C K · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 17, 2009, 02:54:02 AM »

Crap, I don't remember now. I guess if we go over for Father's Day AND I remember to chell, I could find out. Maybe it's different and doesn't have that option, which blows but at least he navigates the entire thing by memory. "I have that one." "I don't have have one." "We don't get that."

IDE · « **Reply #15 on:** Jun 19, 2009, 12:10:50 AM »

Quote from: B E C K on Jun 17, 2009, 12:34:43 AM

Struggle?

Yeah I'm an arteest, it's what we do until we get famous and sell out.

Derrick · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 19, 2009, 09:15:26 PM »

My friend eric went into a 3-year fast from TV to write his novel and make millions.

He's now going to grad school for English.

Rama · « **Reply #17 on:** Jun 20, 2009, 12:37:48 AM »

Most Novelist only make about 10K a year anyway.

Derrick · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 20, 2009, 08:57:38 AM »

Amazon published his novel digitally, he's made less than 500 dollars from it.

Rama · « **Reply #19 on:** Jun 20, 2009, 12:53:43 PM »

Not surprised. Unless you can get it in with a major publisher you'd be better off shelfing it till you have more name value and then trying again. And Digital will never take over actual physical books no matter what the experts say. If it's not printed on paper, and available to buy at your local Bookstore you might as well not even bother. Digital is a good means of secondary royalites, sort of like books on tape, but it never works as primary.

Derrick · « **Reply #20 on:** Jun 20, 2009, 01:02:27 PM »

I'm enjoying books on tape at the gym, it's actually better to me than music. Thank God for iPods.

Bernie AKA · « **Reply #21 on:** Jun 25, 2009, 01:54:16 PM »

We're getting a battery digital TV for the occasional Houston Armageddon. Yes, we have battery radios, but it helps give one that final burst of resolve when bailing water out the front window to SEE the red blob on the radar map moving away.

The D · « **Reply #22 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 03:50:44 PM »

My TV's doing the Max Headroom thing as well, when there's not a "no signal" floating on the screen.

Funny that, back when it was analog, I could get stations from Lansing and Toledo BETTER than stations from Detroit, which is a lot closer than either of those two cities. Now I can't get stations from either of the farther stations, and can only get stations from Detroit if I play with the antenna for 15 minutes, which I never had to do with analog, I could just leave the antenna alone. All it takes is one tiny bump to cause the antenna to lose the signal.

WELCOME TO THE 21st CENTURY AND OUR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY!!!! HUR HUR....

I WISH cable was "choose and pick your own channels".... you would think there would be MORE customers this way.

Derrick · « **Reply #23 on:** Jun 26, 2009, 07:24:41 PM »

Cox and Comcast both have basic packages, which are just local and their cable access channels. Dunno how much, though.

B E C K · « **Reply #24 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 08:14:57 AM »

The Time Warner basic package is about $15 here. But that's $15 I'd rather keep.

Derrick · « **Reply #25 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 08:23:17 AM »

I'd pay it to remove the hassle of antennas, but then I am a whore with HD digtal cable. >.>;

http://www.surfthechannel.com

B E C K · « **Reply #26 on:** Jun 27, 2009, 08:29:38 AM »

If I position my antenna as if it's gonna commit suicide off the end of the tv, I get channel 12!