Maybe I should be at desktop or toaster - but issues are blurred.
 

I have a combo HDTV/Monitor/Analog Tuner Monitor - in otherwords an HDTV
ready system. The Tv-side of the monitor can do a picture in a picture
of the computer side. At full screen if I wish. Same on the computer
side - it will do a picture in picture of the TV side - full screen.

I got tired of waiting for a HDTV tuner - so I purchased a Computer HDTV
card capable of 1920x1080i - the top of my monitor is 1920x1080
(progressive) - interlaced is half its top capability - so I bought the
tuner as my Video Card has no problem with progressive at that size, not
the computer. It was cheap - about $80.00

It is bouncing back on forth each side. The Tv-side has some kind of
thing where it treats signals weird. But I am extremely happy - if
better than this for reception can be had - I doubt it.

The antenna part has me confused. I cannot find this answer - but I
guess I am correct by my own use. ATSC is simply a different format
(compressed MPEG2) sent over the UHF spectrum. Right? So any UHF
antenna will pick up the signal - nothing needed special? That is what
threw me.

I bought the card about $50.00 less than other folks sell with an antenna
and I was concerned. But I attached a $1.00 antenna bought at an
everything a dollar store as my cable company has trouble delivering one
channel to me - though I am just six blocks from the Tower - so I had it
for that purpose.

Every single available ATSC channel came in with a strength of 82% and
above. Move it a portion and depending on the channel - strength would
jump to 94% and above.

I now have two tv-cards in the box. The new one does not handle my
Camcorder, VCR, and the like properly, even though it states it will.
But the new card definitely really upgrades the TV side of the monitor.

So I am asking if I can hang around tell folks my experiences - I have a
great suggestion for folks who were bundled with software - or maybe
struggling - it is called WatchHDTV.net which is a freeware app and does
not support all cards - but works cool and much easier than SnapStream or
other apps, but takes a bit of help.

That is the computer side - but the TV-side still can talk about
Antennas, etc. Just a blur.

I will just jump in if I anything to say - OK?

When I was looking - I looked here in this group.

thanks

Maybe I should be at desktop or toaster - but issues are blurred.
 

"newton" wrote in message
...
The antenna part has me confused. I cannot find this answer - but I
guess I am correct by my own use. ATSC is simply a different format
(compressed MPEG2) sent over the UHF spectrum. Right? So any UHF
antenna will pick up the signal - nothing needed special? That is what
threw me.

ATSC is more then just sending MPEG2 over the air. ATSC is a modulation
method independent of the compression scheme. The FCC has mandated MPEG2 but
virtually any type of data can be sent. If you are interested, see
www.atsc.org for the specifications.

You are correct, there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna; but an antenna
designed using today's tools is most likely to be a better design then even
one designed 10 years ago. High-speed computers have greatly aided the
design effort. Regardless though, marketing has always hyped the
advertising. Antenna manufactures (not all, but many) are notorious for
making false or overstated performance claims; such as gain, return loss and
frequency response.

Maybe I should be at desktop or toaster - but issues are blurred.
 

"numeric" wrote in
:


"newton" wrote in message
...
The antenna part has me confused. I cannot find this answer - but I
guess I am correct by my own use. ATSC is simply a different format
(compressed MPEG2) sent over the UHF spectrum. Right? So any UHF
antenna will pick up the signal - nothing needed special? That is
what threw me.

ATSC is more then just sending MPEG2 over the air. ATSC is a
modulation method independent of the compression scheme. The FCC has
mandated MPEG2 but virtually any type of data can be sent. If you are
interested, see www.atsc.org for the specifications.

You are correct, there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna; but an
antenna designed using today's tools is most likely to be a better
design then even one designed 10 years ago. High-speed computers have
greatly aided the design effort. Regardless though, marketing has
always hyped the advertising. Antenna manufactures (not all, but many)
are notorious for making false or overstated performance claims; such
as gain, return loss and frequency response.






I was not trying to say anything more - just that NTSC is a standard and
ATSC is a standard - they both move on the ether and arrive at my home
with the help of lots of folks.

But the average folk could care less WHY water ripples if a rock is
dropped in a standing water of glass, than it just causes a ripple. And
they think about it less than why do I need Coffee for breakfast - if at
all.

Most people want only to know if the electric works. The HDTV people
fail because of money. Over-the-Air does not transport as far as Cable,
and even local - most people view local TV over Cable.

The chances of most people viewing how nice Over-the-Air HDTV is
miniscule. But if computer folks can be shown it is easy and cheap -
folks can view nicely in our home for nothing.

bye friend

Maybe I should be at desktop or toaster - but issues are blurred.
 

newton wrote in news:[email protected]
207.115.17.102:

"numeric" wrote in
:


"newton" wrote in message
...
The antenna part has me confused. I cannot find this answer - but I
guess I am correct by my own use. ATSC is simply a different format
(compressed MPEG2) sent over the UHF spectrum. Right? So any UHF
antenna will pick up the signal - nothing needed special? That is
what threw me.

ATSC is more then just sending MPEG2 over the air. ATSC is a
modulation method independent of the compression scheme. The FCC has
mandated MPEG2 but virtually any type of data can be sent. If you are
interested, see www.atsc.org for the specifications.

You are correct, there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna; but an
antenna designed using today's tools is most likely to be a better
design then even one designed 10 years ago. High-speed computers have
greatly aided the design effort. Regardless though, marketing has
always hyped the advertising. Antenna manufactures (not all, but many)
are notorious for making false or overstated performance claims; such
as gain, return loss and frequency response.






I was not trying to say anything more - just that NTSC is a standard
and
ATSC is a standard - they both move on the ether and arrive at my home
with the help of lots of folks.

But the average folk could care less WHY water ripples if a rock is
dropped in a standing water of glass, than it just causes a ripple.
And
they think about it less than why do I need Coffee for breakfast - if
at
all.

Most people want only to know if the electric works. The HDTV people
fail because of money. Over-the-Air does not transport as far as
Cable,
and even local - most people view local TV over Cable.

The chances of most people viewing how nice Over-the-Air HDTV is
miniscule. But if computer folks can be shown it is easy and cheap -
folks can view nicely in our home for nothing.

bye friend


The main point I was making if I can - is that it is a file. Nothing on
ATSC is broadcast live. It is subject to at least the following - a
Delay of 5 seconds, conversion to MPEG2 format - and then broadcast.

Which is basically the same with NTSC - delay has been around for years.
But the capture was not converted from original source, just delayed for
broadcast. Currently the signal is converted and that conversion makes
it a file, not a live broadcast delayed.

The devices they use to point at someone and take a picture are NTSC
standard - no one is taking pictures using an MPEG2 camera. MPEG2 is a
great compression scheme - less than DV - but the capture is NTSC
standard. Done on the fly and then broadcast - but not live.

Understanding it is just a file being sent over the airwaves, makes it
easy for computer folks to manipulate it. I find I can take the files
down to SVCD size easy and find the fantastic quality.

bye friend.