Broadcasters get leeway on digital TV switch

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RE: digital TV switch - My VCR & home wiring

I have been completely unable to find any mentions of how to "convert" my VCRs - does the "Black Box" tuner need a timer you set to match your VCR for recording?
- Actually, I need something to feed my TV signal amplifier that feeds the 7 "outlets" in my home (the VCRs use pass-throughs) so each analogue TV and VCR can be tuned to different stations, and so far have found no mentions whatsoever on how to do this for the 14 off-the-air stations I can pull in here, from Upstate NY and Vermont in an 80 mile radius.
- The ads on TV all say that "digital is better", so can I assume I can receive stations from farther away now?
-- Cinemascope (wide-screen to you) was developed so theatres that had no way to raise their prosceniums (the top of the stage opening) could show bigger screens on the sides anyway, but the eye focuses and absorbs the action and images best on the 2-to-3, 3-to-4, or 4-to-5 ratio central portion of the screen anyway, and the only advantage of wide-screen in electronics is to show already existing Cinemascope movies, and to give you more screen on your laptop when you're restricted by how much room you have on your airline tray for your computer! I've been a movie projectionist for too many years not to be familiar with the plusses and minuses of the formats, and widescreen for TV is a lousy idea - only good for movies filmed without a "top" or "bottom" -- which can still be shown letterbox if need be, but any made-for-TV show should be required to use the better, older format.

- Anyway: any links for buying "black-box-tuners" for VCRs - or complete new digital-tuner VCRs at the "usual" cheap VCR prices of $30 to $50? I have hundreds of old tapes to record over now that my property taxes take more than half of my small income (I got crippled at work, and used up my savings long ago), and can't afford (or want) Cable.

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I have been completely unable to find any mentions of how to "convert" my VCRs - does the "Black Box" tuner need a timer you set to match your VCR for recording?
- Actually, I need something to feed my TV signal amplifier that feeds the 7 "outlets" in my home (the VCRs use pass-throughs) so each analogue TV and VCR can be tuned to different stations, and so far have found no mentions whatsoever on how to do this for the 14 off-the-air stations I can pull in here, from Upstate NY and Vermont in an 80 mile radius.
- The ads on TV all say that "digital is better", so can I assume I can receive stations from farther away now?
-- Cinemascope (wide-screen to you) was developed so theatres that had no way to raise their prosceniums (the top of the stage opening) could show bigger screens on the sides anyway, but the eye focuses and absorbs the action and images best on the 2-to-3, 3-to-4, or 4-to-5 ratio central portion of the screen anyway, and the only advantage of wide-screen in electronics is to show already existing Cinemascope movies, and to give you more screen on your laptop when you're restricted by how much room you have on your airline tray for your computer! I've been a movie projectionist for too many years not to be familiar with the plusses and minuses of the formats, and widescreen for TV is a lousy idea - only good for movies filmed without a "top" or "bottom" -- which can still be shown letterbox if need be, but any made-for-TV show should be required to use the better, older format.

- Anyway: any links for buying "black-box-tuners" for VCRs - or complete new digital-tuner VCRs at the "usual" cheap VCR prices of $30 to $50? I have hundreds of old tapes to record over now that my property taxes take more than half of my small income (I got crippled at work, and used up my savings long ago), and can't afford (or want) Cable.
- Even though the rest of my family was inconsiderate enough to stop hanging around after they passed on, I intend to remain alive and alert for a few more centuries (we used to be a long-lived family), and even living alone I'd prefer to be able to watch and/or tape several channels at the same time whichever room I happen to be in - bed room, living room, dining room, or kitchen (I have to cook every day, don't I? - Can't afford to eat out!), and clip-on eyeglass TVs aren't available -- even if I could afford one! - So I need to be able to feed my private distribution system I put in back when I could afford it.

Posted by: TechArk   Posted on: 08/27/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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