Portable TVs Won't Work After February 2009 Analog Shut-Off
Portable sets rely on analog signals captured through their rabbit ears, and with many having no inputs on the back there's absolutely no way to make them functional again. This is causing concern among many who use portable sets to get updates during times of emergency, and while there are portable digital TV converters available, not all sets can use them.
The solution? Well, for now, it's simply to get a portable radio and rely on that -- and maybe recycle that soon-to-be obsolete antique of the analog era. [From: USA Today]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Funnybone6 @ Oct 10th 2008 7:45PM
In fact, although cell telephones are more common today (and they are really only about 15 years old in common usage terms) the phone's TV display is not as clear or readable as a full-size analog. Perhaps a translation option from digital to analog within a broadcasting network will develop over time, legally, for people in the future who have absolutely no desire whatsoever to purchase fallible cell telephones and expensive cable-enabled HDTV's. Hmmppph!
Thomas @ Oct 10th 2008 9:17PM
Yeah -- portables die -- and all the homeless become S-out-of-luck! ---
But the other thing is all those TV's in vans and cars that will go bye bye -- No DC conversion boxes for your custom van TV system on teh market - is there? But look at all the companies profiteering off this law passed and promoted by Colin Powell's brother in the FCC -- Oh and the other companies that make more profit off the extra bandwidth they steal from the public broadcast frequencies. Monopolies at work with your taxpayer dollar - such a wise people we are... Trust the Government!
Rick in Kailua @ Oct 11th 2008 2:37AM
Good riddance TV is a bunch of lies anyway .
harry @ Oct 11th 2008 3:36AM
tv in the van no problem..just buy a inverter to plug in converter box. inverter changes the 12 volts to 110. works fine..don't need converter for the house but got my two. one for tv if power goes out and the other for the tv in the van.
Mike @ Oct 11th 2008 3:46AM
True Harry...and you can always get a coaxial adapter that replaces the connector where the rabbit ears are hooked up.
Those power inverters are a lifesaver. I bought one when I lived in central Florida in 2004. Hurricane Charley was coming at us and generators were not to be found anywhere. I bought a 1,000 watt inverter at Sam's Club for $30. I hooked it up to the car with a 50 ft extension cord and when Charley knocked our power out, I stepped out into the carport and fired the car up.
I was able to power a 25" TV, a 60 watt light, and a fan during the storm and for the next 24 hours until our power was restored....and then used it when Jeanne and Frances hit during the next few weeks. That was the best $30 I've ever spent!
lordfussy @ Oct 11th 2008 11:55AM
What I don't understand is why the converters cost $150.00 dollars and up, What a ripoff. Another thing I don't understand is why the government is spending God knows how much money on those stupid commercials telling people about the government coupon offer, but the coupon only covers about 1/3 of the cost. Kinda like Medicare and Medicaid I guess...the government spends a million dollars in salaries for government employees to deny coverage for one hundred dollar medical procedure.
bemurf @ Oct 11th 2008 9:34PM
Harry and Mike thank you. I want to work the tv in my basement and I will try what you did. Anything else to know? It all seems too simple.
genesic @ Oct 14th 2008 1:50PM
wow, that sucks, hahaha.
I remember when i would kill for one of those things. My parents still may have one lying around the house somewhere, but i think most people use PMP's or cell phones to watch all their media on now anyway. As for emergency feeds...better off going to fry's and getting a hand crank powered weather radio.
still not sure how you would solve the whole "tailgaiting issue tho. I guess get a HDportableTV..? if they even sell those...yet...