Reply #81: I just read an article about the people who have [View All]

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known about all of this for awhile, and waited before even putting in their converter box, and now can't get the signals. When I first read about it all, I checked out what was being publicized and immediately dismissed it all when I read no action was necessary for those with satellite or cable. I gladly pay for satellite in order to get the best reception because I have been so frustrated at bad signals. And as TV has been my life at times (I worked in entertainment and in publishing), it satisfies me to do what I can to ensure I get it.

I know a lawyer who had a TV set strictly to watch specials on PBS--nothing more. And I'm sure she would join you in agreeing that paying for a signal is not agreeable.


On the other hand, is your set fairly new? I believe I saw that you don't need a converter box at all if your set was manufactured after a certain year, as they are digital-capable. I don't know if that applies.

Another thing you might consider is a TV tuner card for the computer--you can also get software to process those signals into AVI or MPEG files that you can put on DVDs. That's mainly how I have been "watching" this winter--I TIVO my shows, transfer them to the computer and burn DVDs from them. After nearly twenty years of collecting VHS tapes, DVDs are manna from heaven both in cataloguing and in storage space. I save on heating, because I confine myself to the bedroom/second office, and I stay warmer and more comfortable. I'll move back into the cold office once the weather gets better, but right now I have no intention of getting cold.

If I can be of further help, let me know.