Switch to Digital TV

recycle · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

I have an old AC/DC 9 inch color not digital and was wondering if anyone knows if the marine TV antenas that get mounted on the mast will work with the new digital signals coming in 2009? I know I have to get a converter box or replace the tv to a digital tv and hope the antenna is still good.

LUNA
Tartan 3800 #3
East Greenwich, RI

artbyjody · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

There is no real "HDTV" antenna...those advertised may have amplifiers on them but are just regular tv antennas... You should be fine - I pick up some 10 or so HD channels here with nothing but a coiled piece of cable (and not attached to an antenna)...

TheFrog · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

The antennas and cabling for digital TV signal (over the air) are the same as for current NTSC signals. I have been using an old antenna at home for years. Digital is much more fussy about signal loss. If you have a poor signal or loss in the antenna wires you will get a blank screen or extremely choppy signal, there is no fuzz.

Obviously the converter box is required.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

Yes, the antenna should work just fine.

recycle · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

Great, Now I just need to find a good AC/DC digital tv.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008

Some of the smaller ones—16-21" use a wall wart and actually operate at 12VDC... anything bigger will probably require 110VAC.

Trekka · #7 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008

Here is a 12v powered digital tuner/converter for soon-to-be-obsolete tv's: Artec T3A

With one of the free gov't coupons it costs $10.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008

I'd look for a nice little LCD HDTV, since it will probably draw less power than the converter box and your current one, which sounds like one of the small CRT based TVs.

jjns · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008

you will also want to upgrade the cable between TV and antenna. RG6 is the current standard, billed as improved signal transmission by 8x. Always skeptical of those sorts of claims, but just installed an antenna in the attic and used the RG59 for initial set-up/locating of antenna, but when I finish installed it with the RG6, all channels were MUCH clearer and more stations picked up.

JimsCAL · #10 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008

The marine mast-mounted antennas are typically omni-directional amplified units. If you have a solid analog TV signal with yours, you should be fine for digital TV. If it's marginal, you are not going to be happy as the image and sound will freeze and drop out every few seconds. Very annoying. A directional antenna will provide a stronger signal, but these are not usable at anchor when you are swinging.