Writers' Desk

Writers' Deskhttp://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/81.aspxOpinions straight from the desks of our print and online writers.enCommunityServer 2007 SP2 (Build: 20611.960)Re: Smart antennas March 2008http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/91637.aspxTue, 07 Apr 2009 01:19:26 GMTa3b08cee-bb15-43f6-a23b-084b038148a9:91637berpelding0http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/91637.aspxhttp://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=81&PostID=91637<p> Thanks for the information. This is great.<br /></p>Re: Smart antennas March 2008http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/84283.aspxTue, 09 Dec 2008 21:50:42 GMTa3b08cee-bb15-43f6-a23b-084b038148a9:84283clajoie0http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/84283.aspxhttp://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=81&PostID=84283<span style="font-weight:bold;">General DTV/smart antenna information </span><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">Video tutorials</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.zenith.com/dtv/setup.html">http://www.zenith.com/dtv/setup.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Setting up a Zenith STB.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.zenith.com/dtv/analogtv.html">http://www.zenith.com/dtv/analogtv.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A typical viewer discusses keeping her old TV by using STBs</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">Tutorials</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_antenna">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_antenna</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEA-909">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEA-909</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/smart_antennas/">http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/smart_antennas/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Digital Stream DTX9900 and GE 22730 Digital TV Converters</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peter Putman</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/DTVconverters.html">http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/DTVconverters.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3-2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Will I need a new antenna?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Antenna_Information.html">http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Antenna_Information.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Picking an antenna</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx">http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Installing DTV convertor boxes</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.pbs4549.org/agingsmart/v2i3_converter.htm">http://www.pbs4549.org/agingsmart/v2i3_converter.htm</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">Vendor information (Broadcast Engineering does not endorse or recommend any particular vendor’s products)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: Antennas Direct</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.news4forum.com/tvtechies/2008/04/antenna-help.html">http://www.news4forum.com/tvtechies/2008/04/antenna-help.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.antennasdirect.com/" target="_blank">http://www.antennasdirect.com</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: Solid Signal</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/?xfermeth=directg&gclid=CKnWpsm_jZUCFQnIsgodVVSNfg">http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/?xfermeth=directg&gclid=CKnWpsm_jZUCFQnIsgodVVSNfg</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Antenna selector page</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.solidsignal.com/antenna_selector.asp">http://www.solidsignal.com/antenna_selector.asp</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: Afterdawn.com</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/hardware/product_details.cfm/4917/rca_dta800b">http://www.afterdawn.com/hardware/product_details.cfm/4917/rca_dta800b</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: Summitsource.com</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.summitsource.com/dx-antenna-dta5000-tv-smart-antenna-multidirectional-hdtv-digital-uhf-vhf-outdoor-offair-high-definition-local-hd-sylvania-television-reception-aerial-green-zone-part-dta5000-p-6320.html">http://www.summitsource.com/dx-antenna-dta5000-tv-smart-antenna-multidirectional-hdtv-digital-uhf-vhf-outdoor-offair-high-definition-local-hd-sylvania-television-reception-aerial-green-zone-part-dta5000-p-6320.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.summitsource.com/hdtv-antenna-tv-aerial-amplifier-booster-indoor-hdtv-antenna-digital-hdtv-high-definition-c-47_56.html">http://www.summitsource.com/hdtv-antenna-tv-aerial-amplifier-booster-indoor-hdtv-antenna-digital-hdtv-high-definition-c-47_56.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: General Electric smart antenna</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://hometheater.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hometheater&cdn=gadgets&tm=9&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p504.1.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.jascoproducts.com/hdtv/GE-Smart-Digital-Antenna.asp">http://hometheater.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hometheater&cdn=gadgets&tm=9&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p504.1.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.jascoproducts.com/hdtv/GE-Smart-Digital-Antenna.asp</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.smarter.com/antennas/pl--ch-3--ca-197--bn-10.html">http://www.smarter.com/antennas/pl--ch-3--ca-197--bn-10.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Terk antennas</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenProductListCmd?type=nprev&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=5065&langId=-1&page=&urlString=&productId=&brand">http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenProductListCmd?type=nprev&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=5065&langId=-1&page=&urlString=&productId=&brand</a>=</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Best Buy, Terk antennas</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7322587&type=product&id=1118844608800">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7322587&type=product&id=1118844608800</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: EZ Digital</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Antenna_Information.html">http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Antenna_Information.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">DTV Webs/Blogs:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dtvtransition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26">http://www.dtvtransition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Community Broadcasters Association recommended Analog pass-through convertor boxes</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.keepuson.com/index2.php?page=18&x">http://www.keepuson.com/index2.php?page=18&x</a>=</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://williambryson.blogspot.com/2008/04/mailbag-dtv-questions-and-answers-2.html">http://williambryson.blogspot.com/2008/04/mailbag-dtv-questions-and-answers-2.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Consumer Reports blog</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/02/how-to-use-a-co.html">http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/02/how-to-use-a-co.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">DTV for dummies .com</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Buying-a-DTV-Digital-to-Analog-Converter-Box.id-6023.html">http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/Buying-a-DTV-Digital-to-Analog-Converter-Box.id-6023.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20011039-why-are-ATSC-DTV-Tuners-so-Expensive">http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20011039-why-are-ATSC-DTV-Tuners-so-Expensive</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers">http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/02/hd-stbs-are-not-eligable-for-40-dtv-vouchers</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Analog pass-through feature</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_passthrough">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_passthrough</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_CECB_units</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">(Above link provides a table of feature comparisons on some models.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wpbstv.org/DigitalUpdate.htm">http://www.wpbstv.org/DigitalUpdate.htm</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.keepuson.com/index2.php?page=4&x">http://www.keepuson.com/index2.php?page=4&x</a>=</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(Above links provide lists of convertor boxes with analog pass-through.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Analog_Pass-Through.html">http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Analog_Pass-Through.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.twice.com/article/CA6580191.html">http://www.twice.com/article/CA6580191.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html">http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">Blogs</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/04/the-dtv-transit.html">http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/04/the-dtv-transit.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/04/first-look-phil.html">http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/04/first-look-phil.html</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/018297.php">http://www.tvsnob.com/archives/018297.php</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://forums.dealmac.com/read.php?8,2753639">http://forums.dealmac.com/read.php?8,2753639</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac/?p=729">http://hdtvprofessor.com/HDTVAlmanac/?p=729</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/05/digital-stream-dtx9950-converter-box-touts-analog-pass-through/">http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/05/digital-stream-dtx9950-converter-box-touts-analog-pass-through/</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">Vendors</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/newsinfo.asp?NewsID=3699">http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/newsinfo.asp?NewsID=3699</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TB100HH9">http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TB100HH9</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TB100MG9">http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=TB100MG9</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/14732.cfm">http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/14732.cfm</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.retrevo.com/content/special-reports/2008/10/retrevo-dtv-info-center" target="_blank">http://www.retrevo.com/content/special-reports/2008/10/retrevo-dtv-info-center</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;" class="MsoNormal">News stories</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Converter Boxes: What to Buy and Where</p> <p class="MsoNormal">10/14/2008</p> <p class="MsoNormal">One new coupon-eligible converter box was approved this past week, bringing the total to 176. There are 75 certified converter boxes, of which 41 can pass through analog signals, now available in retail stores. There are also 101 certified converter boxes, of which 59 can pass through analog signals, not yet available in retail stores. Each box costs around $40-70. For a detailed listing of eligible boxes, visit <a href="http://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm">www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">No new national retailers joined the program this past week. There are 7 national, 35 online and 12 telephone retailers selling converter boxes. For a complete listing or to search for local retailers, visit <a href="http://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx">www.DTV2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/winegard-rcdt09a/4505-6487_7-33280760.html?tag=mncol;txt">http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/winegard-rcdt09a/4505-6487_7-33280760.html?tag=mncol;txt</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Battery-powered convertor boxes</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/winegard-rcdt09a/4505-6487_7-33280760.html?tag=mncol;txt">http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/winegard-rcdt09a/4505-6487_7-33280760.html?tag=mncol;txt</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10054968-1.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0">http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10054968-1.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">First battery-powered converter box hits the marketplace</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The manufacturer, Winegard, has introduced the first battery pack for DTV converter boxes that will keep certain analog TV sets operational during power outages. However, the pack is only compatible with a Winegard converter box. It requires 6 “D” batteries and lasts up to 18 hours.   <a href="http://www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?p=RC-BP9V">www.winegarddirect.com/viewitem.asp?p=RC-BP9V</a></p>Smart antennas March 2008http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/84282.aspxTue, 09 Dec 2008 21:44:02 GMTa3b08cee-bb15-43f6-a23b-084b038148a9:84282clajoie0http://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/thread/84282.aspxhttp://community.broadcastengineering.com/forums/commentrss.aspx?SectionID=81&PostID=84282Thanks to everyone who has been directly commenting to our stories on our website. You're out there, and we hear you. Because of the volume of response we've gotten about Aldo Cugnini's article "Smart antennas" from the March 2008 issue, editorial director Brad Dick has put together a brief guide that elaborates on the smart antenna and the DTV transition and includes links to news, vendors, tutorials, blogs and other resources to clear up any questions you may have. We aim to please; keep the comments coming.<br />