Switch to Digital TV

[gandrew]

Unless you are fortunate enough to have a satellite system in your truck, next year will bring us all questions about how to upgrade our truck's TV system to receive the new digital over-the-air signal. An adapter box will be available and I understand the Feds have a $40 coupon available to help cover its cost. Another option is to change the television set to a new one with the digital tuner then find a place for the new type antenna. My antenna is buried somewhere in the sleeper structure and cabinetry surrounds the built in TV set components. I am not sure how I will do the upgrade just as yet, but am thinking about it whenever I visit Best Buy.

 

[greg334]

I decided to use a computer, laptop and one of the many adapters I have been given to test. Many of the USB converters use an antenna that now be a simple vertical broadband antenna (I have heard someone using a CB antenna) and the unit I have right now for testing seems to work with a wire. I applied for two vouchers, the converter box is simple to install – just take the cable off the back of the TV and put it to the converter box. A jumper to the TV and there you go, it should all work with no problem in a sleeper.

My criticism with this debacle is that this is not being done to improve the quality of life or get us into the 21st century but because of money and only money.

The voucher system should not be used, but a fixed price for every box – you want to sell a TV in this country then you create a box that can be sold for $20, a very doable thing. When you can get a USB adapter for $35 digital ready for your laptop, what is so hard to make a box and sell it for $20?