Nice explanation of Digital vs analog OTA tuning

[Ben Scott]

On 2/14/07, Jon 'maddog' Hall <maddog at li.org> wrote:
> http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9685948-1.html?tag=nl.e501

  Good link.  Thanks.

  There's also the GNHLUG wiki page, which has a table which explains
what can work with MythTV, along with links.  (Full disclosure: I
wrote a big chunk of said page.)

http://wiki.gnhlug.org/twiki2/bin/view/Www/MythTV

  It is important to realize that "Digital TV" and "High Definition
TV" are not synonymous.  All high def is digital, but not all digital
is high def.  Digital TV (DTV) can and is used to send plain old
standard definition TV programming.

  Likewise, HDTV is not synonymous with "pay TV".  Local stations are
already broadcasting OTA (over-the-air) in digital, and much of it in
high definition, for "free".  The picture quality can sometimes even
be higher than cable.

> But like a lot of things, it does have hidden implications.  For
> example, your old analog TV's OTA tuner is now mute, so it puts a bigger
> burden back on your VCR or Tivo (or MythTV box) if you want to watch one
> show while recording another.

  Likewise, if you have an old VCR or DVR without a digital tuner,
you'll need to buy an external digital tuner for it to receive OTA
broadcasts.  You can use two external digital tuners if you want to
record one while watching the other.

> Also, the "control" of the program on the older TV now switches to the
> recorder unless you get one of those "converter boxes" that they are
> talking about.

  FYI, the converter boxes are basically digital tuners in an external
box.  They output an analog signal, typically on channels 2, 3, or 4
(just like VCRs or cable boxes do for TVs without more sophisticated
inputs).

-- Ben