Over-the-air very underdeveloped in the US?

[harshness]

I'm not sure I WANT a brighter TV. Larger, yes!

My TV is big enough at 13 feet but I want one with better dynamic range on both color (WCG) and brightness (HDR). A wider viewing angle wouldn't cause me any heartburn either. Game of Thrones has lots of dark scenes that aren't showing up all that well with my five year old lamp. I wish they would offer HD resolution displays with HDR and WCG as I can't see myself sitting four or five feet away from my TV to enjoy the benefits of higher resolution.

But I'll continue to wait for the implementation of standards to settle down. Next year will cost less.

The settling down hasn't started yet. They've introduced several new technologies just this year and of them, only one or two will likely make a go of it. DV and HLG look to be the most promising at this point. There's still some question about what they're going to do (if anything) about supporting ATSC 3.0 as well.

By 2020, I'll probably be able to get one with green stamps.

If only Sperry and Hutchinson were still around. By 2020, I don't think we'll have seen much of what's coming in the next ten years. That's only 2-1/2 years (or what seems like a year if you're over 50) away.

 

[Stephen Henson]

You know, I used the words "average consumer" twice to make some emphasis. "Dolby Vision" ? Even I have no idea what that is.... You negated your entire comment anyway when you said "early adopters".

Early adopters != average consumers

Go to the electronics section at Walmart and pretend you're looking for a new TV. Ask other consumers there what they think about Dolby Vision. Ask them about "HDR", "4K", or LED vs LCD vs OLED and see what responses you get. I think some will along the lines of,

"Dude, I just want a big-*** TV for about $600 !"

So which is it ? People buy new TVs for features or 'cause they break down (sooner) ?

Has anybody tried out any of the new QLED TVs or or they not available in United States yet

 

[navychop]

I saw a TV labeled such at Costco. Looked good, as much as anything could in there.

 

[Joe Capitano]

I will never spend $3,000 for a TV again. I probably won't spend $2,000. And if my wife gets her way, .......

The really good news is that the odds are (shout mode on) YOU WON'T HAVE TO (or NEED TO) !!! Unless you absolutely have to have the latest, most gigantic, most whatever screen they make. In which case, raid Costco.

BTW: The last TV I bought, a nice big 50" (or is it 55") Philips, I got for about $600 or so at the local Wally World (WalMart). The other I have, a 40" Best Buy model, is in my bedroom. It wakes me up to Tiffany Coyne, Wayne Brady and LMAD every morning - unless some stupid "Breaking" news report interferes with my joy.

 

[Radioguy41]

Just for an update, when I posted last August I had scanned in 63 channels and when I scanned again yesterday it was 77. That's 14 new subs in just 6 months. It is definitely growing.

 

[harshness]

That's 14 new subs in just 6 months. It is definitely growing.

It is only a win if:

1. the new channels are worth having
2. the incumbent channels don't suffer horribly as a result of the reduced bandwidth

 

[jayn_j]

Well, my count actually went down a few during the repack round 1. Personally I prefer them to preserve quality over questionable content.

 

[harshness]

Well, my count actually went down a few during the repack round 1.

I see a few people talking about the repack as if it were in progress. The CONUS repack moves don't start until November 30th, 2018 IIRC.

Channels that didn't participate in the auction are making whatever moves they have to in order to survive but that's a residue of the upcoming repack, not an element of it. Those channels knew two or more years ago that they were going to lose their spot.

 

[Horsepower]

More all the time. But, I really miss having at least one devoted to weather with 24 hour radar map.

 

[Justin Hill]

Those channels knew two or more years ago that they were going to lose their spot.

One example is the MyNetworkTV affiliate, WCGV "My29" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are now mapped out as a digital subchannel for their sister station, WVTV "CW18."

 

[jayn_j]

One example is the MyNetworkTV affiliate, WCGV "My29" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are now mapped out as a digital subchannel for their sister station, WVTV "CW18."

Yes, that was one of a couple of repacks that occurred here a week ago. Another was the second PBS station abandoning its frequency. A third one was a station I forget the call of which mapped to channel 49, now being subchannels on WMLW channel 41.

All three instances were stations abandoning their broadcast licenses.

 

[harshness]

Yes, that was one of a couple of repacks that occurred here a week ago.

I reject your use of the term repack in reference to stations that weren't eligible or chose not to participate in the repack. It is like saying you're participating in a road race, but you're running on an access road or a bike path along the race route.

An alternative term is necessary as there will surely be future similar moves that aren't associated with a narrowing of the broadcast television band (aka lighthousing).

 

[jayn_j]

I reject your use of the term repack in reference to stations that weren't eligible or chose not to participate in the repack. It is like saying you're participating in a road race, but you're running on an access road or a bike path along the race route.

An alternative term is necessary as there will surely be future similar moves that aren't associated with a narrowing of the broadcast television band (aka lighthousing).

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, sir.
I disagree, as the abandoning channels for cash was part of the same offer. Abandoning bandwidth needed to happen first in order to free space to allow the repack to occur. It was part of the same process and did require a new channel scan.

I REALLY wish that you could dial back on the arrogance though. Your need to be right and also put down other contributors has had the effect of driving away other knowledgeable members. Those were the ones who used to have good discussion where everyone exchanged ideas and learned. Now it has become the harshness show, and anyone who has the gall to express an opinion is met with your condescending wrath.

If you need to be the sole grand poohbah of the video world, go found your own site and leave us alone.

 

[harshness]

Abandoning bandwidth needed to happen first in order to free space to allow the repack to occur

Your vision of repack appears to be more about locals playing musical chairs than a coordinated continent-wide clearing of channels.

The channels in question either sold or forfeit their rights to a channel of their own. On the other hand, the repack process is about the FCC assigning new RF channels for those who participated and need to clear their channel.

Remember, we're here to discuss the topics, not disparage fellow members.

 

[Peter Parker]

They only work for UHF frequencies, and not very well for those. IF you have any VHF stations, don't expect to receive them with that sort of antenna.

The Mohu Leaf works rather well on UHF and even VHF-Hi but you need to be within about 40 miles of the transmitter.

 

[primestar31]

The Mohu Leaf works rather well on UHF and even VHF-Hi but you need to be within about 40 miles of the transmitter.

It may work for stronger VHF-Hi stations, however that small mud-flap type antenna is not optimal for VHF wavelengths,.

 

[Radioguy41]

I see a few people talking about the repack as if it were in progress. The CONUS repack moves don't start until November 30th, 2018 IIRC.

Channels that didn't participate in the auction are making whatever moves they have to in order to survive but that's a residue of the upcoming repack, not an element of it. Those channels knew two or more years ago that they were going to lose their spot.

If broadcasters are moving in anticipation of the repack then it is in fact repack driven. In early Dec WVIA out of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre changed frequencies as part of the repack. I don't know how you can say that just because broadcasters are moving because of the repack that it's not part of the repack. That's like saying all those months of sending troops and supplies to England in 1943/44 wasn't part of the invasion plan because the invasion didn't start until June '44. Of course it was and so are early adopters.

 

[Radioguy41]

Your vision of repack appears to be more about locals playing musical chairs than a coordinated continent-wide clearing of channels.

The channels in question either sold or forfeit their rights to a channel of their own. On the other hand, the repack process is about the FCC assigning new RF channels for those who participated and need to clear their channel.

First, you clear continent-wide by clearing locally.
Second, the FCC is already assigning new frequencies and broadcasters are already making the changes (see my reply above and quote from WVIA below).

If you watch TV for free using an antenna tune in, WVIA-TV, WVIA PBS Kids and WVIA Create stations are moving frequencies on December 4th 2017 at 12 p.m. By law, nearly 1,000 TV stations nationwide must change frequencies to make room for wireless services.

 

[harshness]

First, you clear continent-wide by clearing locally.

Agreed, but some of these channels aren't clearing out the high channels, they simply chose to vacate their altogether (or they weren't eligible for their own RF channel anymore).

Second, the FCC is already assigning new frequencies and broadcasters are already making the changes (see my reply above and quote from WVIA below).

As Trip has pointed out, the second window for participant stations hasn't closed yet so there may still be maneuvering and some of that maneuvering may have a butterfly effect. After that the stations that want to fight over what's left get their window.

There's a difference between electing not to have an RF channel and throwing your hat in the ring a new RF channel assignment like the big boys got.

 

[Trip]

As Trip has pointed out, the second window for participant stations hasn't closed yet so there may still be maneuvering and some of that maneuvering may have a butterfly effect.

For the sake of clarity, the second window has closed, but the applications have not all been processed yet. A little less than half of them have been granted, another fraction conflict with each other and been notified of the need to resolve the issue or agree to any extra interference. The staff has not yet gotten to the rest.

- Trip