wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

re: volume problems & "hjs at 11211's" responce.
I also have had a problem with the volume since recently getting a new 19" smasung tv (instead of the conversion box - no cable.) most often it happens on the fox channel 5 where I must turn the volume up to 100% & be close to the tv to hear it. there are no other volume controls to work with but the one on the tv remote. I even called samsung & they hadn't a clue.

#26: thank you (I think BOB)

gov visit my blogs. I discuss everything except the depression/new deal on markbnj.blogspot.com and

the 2nd depression and new deal at sos-newdeal.blogspot.com

and (for a change, I win again...)

heh heh.

[19] markbnj from www.markbnj/blogspot.com or sos-newdeal.blogspot.com January 09, 2009 - 11:35AM

The above comment was most accurate.

At the time 8VSB=Zenith=USpoliticorp

For the person who has to put their radio on its side - there's some info about improving radio reception here: http://www.wnyc.org/about/amreception.html

Viewers who do not want to commit to a monthly cable bill not only have to buy the DTV box, they most likely have to upgrade their antennas and amplifiers. In suburban areas, trees and hills can block the digital signal, and unlike analog, it's all or nothing. (By the way, the listener who commented that his digital audio signal is worse probably was referring to the frustrating signal breakup that occurs when reception is on the edge.)

One of the other difficulties is that most stations will be switching frequencies when the changeover occurs, so it is difficult to try out equipment at this point. Some people who now get DTV may have unwelcome surprises when channels now broadcasting on UHF move to VHF. Channel 13, by the way, has said that they will not be broadcasting their digital signal over the air until the changeover (because they will be using their current analog frequency).

"Special interests:" Anyone's interests besides your own.

"Pork barrel projects:" Anyone's projects but your own.

My question is for Joel Kelsey about digital TV. I live in a large 1,000 unit co-op apartment complex in NYC. It will cost a one time expense of $75,000 to upgrade the roof antennas to work with the digital converter boxes. The co-op board decided NOT to spend this money to upgrade the antennas. So all residents now have to pay for cable TV or have NO TV reception. This is expensive! Are co-op boards and landlords of high rise buildings allowed to forgo providing roof antennas?

My building has given me the choice of pricey cable tv or no tv reception at all. I think they are even going to take down the old antenna. Is this allowed? Is there any requirement in the law that apartments buildings must maintain a suitable master antenna on the roof?

To the caller who asked about not getting Channel 13/PBS, look at the PBS website. I can't get it either, so I went to their website and they actually state that they are using a low power digital transmitter because of infrastructure limits and that they have a high-power analog transmitter. They also state that when they retire the analog transmitter in February when the switch happens, that the digital transmitter will be connected to the high power power source and that the signal should improve drmatically.

Brian/producer: I'm surprised that your guest didn't know this, especially if he lives in the NY area...

BTW, I don't work for PBS.

Brian

I'm posting a second time as the first one didn't make it.

Your own radio station WNYC is not received well in my part of Manhattan - between Ft. Tryon and Inwood HIll. We do get the other big stations like WCBS just fine. But my radios squeal and hiss when I tune in WNYC most of the time. I have to have my kitchen radio sitting in my bottle returns bin sitting on its side to get WNYC without too much noise. I hope you'll spend some of the funds you get to make your signal stronger.

Lately, I've noticed that MSNBC on cable goes in and out recently as it never did before.

Hey. I had coupons, and they expired.

Why the heck are they expiring?

Also:
You need to understand that the REASON

this failed is

a) the technical standard (unlike color TV aka NTSC (the National Television Sub committee) of the SMPTE (Society Motion Picture - Television Engineers)
when it was approved in (1962-63?)

Made sure that the BW to COLOR transition was TRANSPARENT and DID NOT affect consumers.

This one DOES affect consumers....

b) the Technical compromises made between the (I think 3) competing digital systems were POLITICALLY driven, and caused this.

c) Had the (stupid arsed, politicians) MANDATED that ALL so called digital ready TV's sold in the last 10-15 years been REQUIRED to have had the DIGITAL Tuners then there would NOT have had any problems at all.

The fact that (go to archive.org to check) for the past 10 years 'digital ready' TV's were sold until (about 2 years ago, when they were finally required to have the new tuners, caused this problem.

d) Had they taken the DIGITAL system that was compatible with analog signals, we wouldn't be in this position.

And... I want the ability to RE-use my expired coupon... expirations suck, and were POLITICALly Motivated

And... I also (not publically this time) predicted that the transition to digital would be delayed.. I win...

to the caller with bad sound on Tv & converter box try this:
turn down all volumes (TV, converterbox and vcr) put them up one at a time see which has the best sound. some time they interfer with each other.

Brian,

Speaking of not getting channels, I can't get WNYC Radio well at all in my part of Inwood (between Ft. Tryon and Inwood Hill). Nobody that I know gets WNYC very well, yet radio stations like WCBS and those come in really well. It's one of the reasons I listen by computer. I hope that you can juice up your transmitter so that it is equal to the bigger stations. You'll get more coverage and listeners.

Channel 13 (PBS) in NYC is not yet broadcasting full-strength on DTV.

Your guest essentially passed on your question about why this mandated change is happening at all, saying that the decision's been made and we just have to deal with where we are now.

Yes, but what is the reason it's been mandated? Wouldn't knowing that potentially help us to address current issues?

here in nj no channel 13 either.

also more channels were available before jan 1 than now.

prior it was 33 channels.

today it is only 15.

What worries me about the digital TV conversion is the environmental effect. It may lead a lot of people to throw out their old TVs, even if it's not necessary to receive the digital signals. Some may misunderstand & think they need a new one, others may want one w/the most advanced HDTV capabilities. But it could result in a huge number of TVs being disposed of in ways that damage the environment. Could a campaign be started to publicize how to dispose of TVs safely? Maybe w/an offer to double the value of the coupons, or even exchange an old TV for a free converter?

How about returning a converter box that was purchased with a coupon?

I applied for and was rejected for a coupon because my 20 year address is the Hotel Chelsea. I appealed and was rejected again.

i bought a box only to find it doesn't work with my new vcr so i gave up and got cable.

I bought the converter box, and it doesn't work; we don't have a signal. I've considered buying a new tv, but there's no certainty then that we'll get a signal then. We're kissing goodbye to tv, and embracing the internet. Will miss PBS though.

Let the televisions go dark!!!! We have radio for emergencies. This will finally facilitate the extinction of television and it will atrophy the corporate interests that are reliant on television media. yay, out with the tee vee!!!!

Coupons issued or redeemed?

Will every coupon be used or as in all coupon distribution, only a percentage are used?

Why is the focus on getting the money for higher education?

Time is better spent on how all the money is being spent. How much have the endowment funds of private universities increased above the inflation rate last 10 years?

Where does all the money go?

I think it was during the Reagan administration that I heard Republicans calling feminist groups & labor unions "special interests." And I thought, that means groups that promote the rights of women & working people--both majorities of the adult population. How can a majority be a "special interest"?

semantics.

obviously lots of so called special interests are legit.

what was thoughtless of the rep was the "I don't know how" part of her sentence.

how is the same way "freedom" "church" " dept of justice" etc. perversions of the words and ideas.

This money requirement is a poll tax, which is prohibited by the constitution.

What we are talking about in infrastructure and energy independence is not SPECIAL interest, but COMMON interest. I hope that the term common interest will make it into the vernacular of the media and the politicians.

I've heard some retailers have run out of the converter boxes and manufacturers won't be able to get supplies to the retailers in time for the conversion. -True?

I'm one of those that get three stations(if I'm lucky) and refused to get cable since moving to NJ 2003. TV should be free.
My only recourse will be cable. I don't have a roof antenna and I've been told my area was an early cable adopter because the Ramapo mountains.
My radio gets TV stations at this point & won't in Feb. I feel like I have no choice and it really makes me mad.
Most of my 'watching' time is spent with DVDs borrowed from my local library system. I'm almost off the grid as it is. Maybe I'll just stay off. -Torn