Video Asylum

Posted by DavidLD (A) on May 05, 2008 at 07:13:19

This in Lexington KY

Magnavox-branded box, running composite out yellow video and analog red/white (no component or HDMI on govt coupon boxes)
Picking up some hum in sound that appears to be RF related and varies depending on where the audio out wires are located relative to the wire feeding the RF in on the box from the antenna, but using an unshielded cheap patch cord from box to TV. I'm gonna pick up some shielded audio cables today and see if that helps.

This worked a lot better than I expected. I simply hooked a pair of rabbit ears to the RF input of the cable box and sent the video and audio signals direct to the TV, bypassing the regular cable connections entirely. I'm using the front panel gamer connections on my 2004 Sony HD RPTV

Here is what is out there from the rabbit ears.

channel 18.1, this is just the digital version of standard local Channel 18 NBC quite clear picture. This would be in HDTV on my set if I sprung for the $89 converter box instead of the $49 version but that one you cant use the $40 govt coupon on the $89 box for reasons known only to the government

18.2 The channel 18 24 hour local weather channel

Channel 27.1 Digital version of your standard local WKYT channel 27 CBS
Channel 27.2 called CWKYT This is a channel called the CW and a channel WKYT does not broadcast analog. I'm trying to figure out exactly what is on this one. It appears to have alternate CBS programming. I would appreciate any info anyone has on this one.

Channel 27.3 Local weather channel broadcasts Kentucky weather radar 24/7

Channel 36.1 WTVQ 36 digital version of their local ABC analog channel
Channel 36.2 WTVQ 24/7 weather with 7 day forecasts constantly live local traffic cameras

Public Television (Kentucky Educational Television or KET)
Channel 46.1 Digital version of standard KET
Channel 46.2 Digital version of KET2 which comes on basic cable but not analog broadcast. Like standard KET but with different shows

Channel 46.3 Another KET channel. They call this one KETHD, whigh must be their high definition offering. Not sure exactly what is on this one as it is not on cable and I haven't seen it before. The programs so far look pointier headed than the broad market KET pulic TV shows.
Channel 46.4 KET 4 This is the station they ordinarily broadcast to public schools. Non-school students have not seen this before.

Channel 56.1 This is local channel 56 Fox digital same as 56 analog.
I'm getting occasional digital breakup but if I adjust my rabbit ears I can get all of these.

This is more digital stuff than I can pull off the standard cable and all free.

Certainly worth the $12 net cost of the box
Stay tuned

That's what is available digitally locally off the air thus far..probably more a year from now. I think you will appreciate the off-air signal completely free of snow.

The biggest problem is what to do with the rabbit ears in home decor. I feel like its 1963 again! If I start draping them with strips of aluminum foil to lessen digital breakup I've gone completely loony. Or if I crawl up on the roof to install an antenna you can send me off to the funny farm.
David