TV on PC and VCR after 2/17/09

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jan Alter
  • Start date Start date
J

Jan Alter

It occurs to me that unless I'm hooking up converter boxes to our two
computers by 2/17/09 I won't be able to watch TV on our PCs any longer when
the country goes digital. Additionally the VCR (s) won't be able to record
TV programs any longer without a converter box.
Of course we'll be able to use those two $40 coupons the Department of
Commerce has sent us (that are good for 90 days from the time one applies)
to our TVs. Using them will only set us back maybe $20 - $40. However, I
suppose I would either have to get at least 4 additional converter boxes
just for the PCs and VCRs. Maybe there is a coupler that can attach to the
converter box to allow output of the digitized signal to connect it to both
the TV and VCR simultaneously so then I'm only needing two additional
converter boxes. Or maybe I should just hook the box up to the VCR and watch
TV via the tuner in the VCR. But then it means I have to keep the VCR on
anytime I simply want to watch TV. Seems kind of wasteful.
However, for the PCs it may even be cheaper, though I haven't investigated
yet, to purchase new TV/capture cards. I'm feeling a new round of U.S.
consumerism waste coming on. Maybe I don't really need to watch TV on the
computer anymore. The cost of keeping warm in February will take precedence.
 
Jan Alter said:
It occurs to me that unless I'm hooking up converter boxes to our two
computers by 2/17/09 I won't be able to watch TV on our PCs any longer when
the country goes digital.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you already know, but that applies to broadcast television
that you receive through an antenna on top of your TV or house.
 
It occurs to me that unless I'm hooking up converter boxes to our two
computers by 2/17/09 I won't be able to watch TV on our PCs any longer
when the country goes digital. Additionally the VCR (s) won't be able to
record TV programs any longer without a converter box.
Of course we'll be able to use those two $40 coupons the Department
of
Commerce has sent us (that are good for 90 days from the time one
applies) to our TVs. Using them will only set us back maybe $20 - $40.
However, I suppose I would either have to get at least 4 additional
converter boxes just for the PCs and VCRs. Maybe there is a coupler that
can attach to the converter box to allow output of the digitized signal
to connect it to both the TV and VCR simultaneously so then I'm only
needing two additional converter boxes. Or maybe I should just hook the
box up to the VCR and watch TV via the tuner in the VCR. But then it
means I have to keep the VCR on anytime I simply want to watch TV. Seems
kind of wasteful.
However, for the PCs it may even be cheaper, though I haven't
investigated
yet, to purchase new TV/capture cards. I'm feeling a new round of U.S.
consumerism waste coming on. Maybe I don't really need to watch TV on
the computer anymore. The cost of keeping warm in February will take
precedence.
Click to expand...

If you get your TV service via cable, most cable companies will do the
digital to analog conversion on their headend, and nothing will change
for you.
 
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