January 13th, 2010

Elgato intros the inexpensive EyeTV One ATSC TV tuner

There simply isn’t that many easy ways to get live OTA HDTV on your computer while there is a ton and a half available for the now-defunct analog signals. But Elgato just announced the low-cost — and low feature — EyeTV One ATSC TV Tuner that brings one more solution to the table. Don’t run over to Amazon and buy this Windows and OS X device just yet. You might not want it once you hear what it… → Read More

November 19th, 2009

CEA & NAB: TVs could be interfering with antenna reception

Here’s a public service announcement from the friendly Consumer Electronics Association and National Association of Broadcasters: Move your TV antenna way from the TV for prime DTV reception. → Read More

November 12th, 2009

DTV coupon time is over! Many of you didn't care, apparently

The government mailed out 64 million $40 coupons for DTV conversion. The program ended on the 9th, with 35 million of the coupons used. How can this be? There must be at least half a billion TVs in the US, and a lot of those households or stores needed to upgrade to digital. Do they not like free money? Did they get theirs through magic, or a secret non-government program? If you’re looking… → Read More

September 30th, 2009

DTV box sales "plummet" – surpise, surprise

Remember the big technology story of the first half of the year? Analog signals were suppose to be shut-off on February 17, but Obama saved millions of households from their procrastination by delaying it a few months. But eventually on June 12, those signals were turned off. You have to imagine that retailers moved loads of analog to digital converter boxes through the shut-off date. Not many… → Read More

August 26th, 2009

Rumor: Qualcomm FLO TV is coming

Qualcomm (they probably made the chipset you’re using in your phone) is working on bringing a new type of product to the US, the FLO TV. Roughly the size of an iPhone, the FLO TV is intended to allow you to watch digital TV broadcasts on the go. → Read More

July 31st, 2009

98.9% of US homes able to receive DTV per Nielsen

Good job, everyone! The DTV switch seemed to went well. The June 12 transition came and past on our end with little fanfare. Hopefully it was the same with you. Nielsen is reporting that the vast majority of US homes – 98.9% that is – can receive DTV signals. Kind of surprisingly though is that the under 35 demo is the least prepared with 2.7% unable to receive the digital broadcasts. → Read More

July 28th, 2009

Finally, a portable ATSC tuner, now if it will only work well

Expect to starting seeing ATSC tuners in notebooks, netbooks, and UMPCs soon. MaxLinear and Hauppauge Digital are working on a minicard that should tune in ATSC, QAM, DVB-T, DVB-H, and DTMB signals. The small card also consumes 50% less power than other tuner cards, and the small size means that it can make its way into more packages. Sounds great, right? I’m just doubtful that it will pull in… → Read More

July 16th, 2009

A prime example of why we need portable DTV

Look at this dude. He wants some TV while he’s enjoying a cup at Starbucks. The only thing is that the switch to digital now requires him to carry a converter box alongside his black and white tube TV. If only the powers at hand could move along the development and approval of ATSC-M/H, he might be able to watch OTA PBS on his cell phone like the rest of the modern world does using DVB-H. → Read More

June 12th, 2009

Reminder: The DTV Transition happens today

We’ve been screaming from a soapbox for months about today. We’ve gave you a series of tips and tricks, along with answering all the frequently asked questions about DTV. Still, there are millions of homes not ready for the switch to digital according to a recent survey. But what are you gonna do? → Read More

June 10th, 2009

2.8 million homes still not ready for DTV switch

The DTV transition happens this Friday and there are still a bunch of households not ready according to a Nielson survey. It’s good to see that my grandparents aren’t the only old folks that get it as that segment is the most ready for the switch. However, there are still 2.8 million homes not ready with minorities leading the unprepared. → Read More

June 9th, 2009

Frequently asked DTV questions

Lets keep this simple. You have questions about the DTV transition that happens this Friday, June 12, 2009 and we have the answers after the jump. See also our DTV Tips and Tricks for more help. → Read More

June 8th, 2009

10 DTV Tips and Tricks

The switch to all-digital television is almost here. Really, it happens this Friday, June 12, 2009. It was suppose to happen back in Februray but Obama and Congress delayed the transition a few months back. It’s probably for the best though. The extra time hopefully means that more folks are ready. We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help ensure you’re getting the… → Read More

June 6th, 2009

Digital TV transition trouble may force Americans to seek other forms of entertainment

The Digipocalypse is fast approaching. Are you ready? Because apparently some 10 million Americans aren’t, and when the switch hits they’ll be cruelly deprived of television and will be forced to spend their leisure time interacting with their friends and family, perhaps out in that beautiful summer weather.

CrunchGear’s hearts and prayers are with these poor wretches, and we beg to remind them… → Read More

June 5th, 2009

Help Key: We answer all of your DTV questions

The analog shutoff date of June 12 is right around the corner. It will be here before you know it. The transition from analog to digital has been riddled with rumors and half-truths, but we’re here to help. Drop us a question after the jump and we’ll ensure that you and your family are prepared for the switch. → Read More

June 4th, 2009

Great map to help with the DTV reception

Digital OTA is great, but it can be a tad tricky to pick up sometimes. This Google Map mash-up should help by providing data on where station’s broadcast towers are and how much power is needed to pick up the given station. We only have a few days left before the June 12th shutoff, btw. Is your family ready? → Read More

May 9th, 2009

Carol Brady educates about the DTV switch

Remember the DTV switch? Yeah, it got pushed back a few months but the new deadline of June 12, 2009 is quickly approaching. Have no fear Carol Brady is here! The perpetually positive mother on The Brady Bunch has some handy tips for aging baby boomers about the transition. One look at Florence Henderson and you can tell that she knows her DTV stuff. And she’s very excited to tell you about it… → Read More

March 5th, 2009

The DTV coupon program is back on track

HUZZAH! Thanks to Obama and his buddies in Congress, consumers will soon be able to redeem a DTV coupon for $40 off of a DTV box. The Economic Stimulus packaged funded the program with $650 million which should make a help the millions waiting for these coupons. → Read More

March 2nd, 2009

Dish drops 104,000 subs in 2008 Q4, still manages to increase revenue

Dish Network lost a bunch of subscribers at the end of last year but the company is still in the black even with losing 104,000 subs. Dish’s contract with AT&T is now up and it seems that all those peeps that got roped into deals are now dropping the service after the contract expired. Now, don’t think the company is washed up ’cause at the end of last year, Dish still had 13,678,000… → Read More

February 19th, 2009

Video: End of analog broadcasts in Orlando

A good amount of analog signals have been permanently turned off across America. It’s the end of an era, folks. In case you didn’t stay up late on February 16 to experience the shut-off live, we’ve got a video after the break of the Orlando market going dark so you can experience it too. Time to move into the digital age, America. → Read More

February 17th, 2009

DTV Coupon Money still weeks out – sorry procrastinators

Well that’s what you get for procrastinating. Some 600 stations switched off their analog broadcasts today and you didn’t register for your coupon in time so you couldn’t purchase a DTV converter box partly on Obama’s dime. The stimulus package will provide $650 million in funding, but it will take some time to get that cash in the appropriate account and into the hands of the some four million→ Read More

February 17th, 2009

Some US television stations flip the switch to all digital broadcasts today

Today’s the day, kiddies. Today’s the day that every broadcasting TV station in America was suppose to switch to digital, but the US Government intervened to save the millions of citizens we hear are not ready. Still, the switch is now optional until June 12, 2009 so a few stations made the transition today. The FCC made a list available that details which stations will switch-off when but at this… → Read More

February 16th, 2009

Line for DTV coupons is 4 million long

Despite the delay to June 12th for the digital TV switch, the line for $40 converter box coupons is miles and miles long. Uncle Sam is apparently printing up 100,000 coupons every day, but the waiting list is currently at 4 million. → Read More

February 13th, 2009

The complete DTV shutoff list straight from the FCC

The original DTV shutoff date of February 17, 2009 is almost here and some stations still plan on switching off their analog broadcast as originally planned. Thankfully, the FCC has an extensive list detailing what stations will shutoff next week and the ones that already flipped the switch. → Read More

February 11th, 2009

Obama signs the DTV Delay Act – finally

 It’s official. → Read More

February 11th, 2009

681 stations to turn off analog broadcast on 2/17

As soon as Obama signs the DTV Delay Bill into law, the original DTV switch will become optional until June 12, but that isn’t stopping 681 television stations from making the switch. The FCC is stating that those stations make up 40% of the US’s total broadcasters which probably means a lot of markets will experience partial shut-offs. Hopefully this will get fat and lazy Americans (yeah, I said… → Read More

February 10th, 2009

The DTV Delay Act isn't official yet, Obama hasn't signed it

So, Obama? What’s going on here? The Senate and The House of Representatives both passed the DTV Delay Act that made the analog switch-off optional until June 12, 2009. But Obama hasn’t signed the damn bill yet! What’s he doing? There is nothing more important than American television. Forget the economy, sign this bill into law and lets confuse millions of American’s when some analog signals stay… → Read More

February 6th, 2009

DTV converter boxes might become scarce until April

The companies that manufacturer the DTV converter boxes were under the same assumption as all of us that the DTV conversion was to take place on February 17th. Now that it isn’t happening until four months later, the boxes might be hard to find in the short term. → Read More

February 5th, 2009

Major networks to keep analog signals on until June 12, DTV Coupon program might get more funds

Now the DTV Delay Act succesfully navigated through the US Capitol, there are some large, looming questions. Primarily, now that the analog switch-off is optional until June 12, what stations will switch off when? And is the Government going to pump more money into the bankrupt DTV vouchers program? → Read More

February 4th, 2009

DTV Delay Act passes, switch-off date now June 12, 2009

Folks, the DTV extension bill passed the House of Representatives. The switch to digital has been officially delayed for four months until June 12, 2009. According to a Reuturs report, there are 20 million people would have lost their TV signals if the almighty American government hadn’t stopped the switch. So by June 12th, 2009, there will probably be 19 million procrastinating Americans that… → Read More

February 4th, 2009

House voting DTV Extension bill voting today (again)

Today is the day that the House of Representatives are voting for a second time on the DTV Extension bill. Said bill would give broadcasters the option of shutting off their analog signals either on February 17 or June 12 which the bill proponents say will get millions of Americans enough time to prepare for the switch. (Because the previous two years weren’t enough time) If you recall, the… → Read More