Series 3 Compatible with Analog OTA?

[slowdeath]

Bought a Series 3 and went completely OTA. Everything comes in great except the analog signal from the local PBS stations (two within range). The analog stations appear on my channel list, which I think is generated by signal strength during set up, but when you visit the analogs, you get a gray screen. The digital broadcasts associated with each of the PBS stations come in flawlessly. Is this a limitation of the Series 3 (not compatible with analog OTA) or is there something I can do? I don't think it's a question of signal strength, but I guess that might be one potential culprit. Tivo support is useless. Thanks all!

[Eccles]

There's nothing in the design that prevents a THD from receiving analog OTA, though the implementation of that design may dictate otherwise. Mine pulls in both analog and OTA from my indoor antenna, though the signal on one digital channel is too low to be usable on the TiVo, despite being fine if I connect the same antenna directly to my Aquos LCD, so it would appear that the THD's OTA tuner is not exactly a model of efficiency. I've seen other reports in this forum of the Antenna tuner being weak, so I suspect it's not just mine or yours.

Of course, Murphy's law dictates that the only Digital OTA channel that it won't pick up, is the only local channel that's not available in HD on Time Warner's cable. :mad:

[rmorton0573]

Also keep in mind that you can have a weaker signal and pickup clear digital brodcast and may not pickup the analog, or it could be a difference between VHF and UHF, for instance My PBS is NC is channel 4 (VHF) on analog, well the digital channel 4 in my area is channel 59 (UHF) which ATSC tuners convert to channel 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, and 4-5. now I only have UHF Antenna so I cannot receive analog channel 4 (VHF) but I can receive digital channel 4 (59 UHF) perfectly. I hope I did not confuse anyone

[TexasGrillChef]

yes... it is... but it will be a MOOT point AFTER February 17th, 2009 as after that date, there WON'T be anymore analog OTA.

TGC

[ThAbtO]

Also keep in mind that you can have a weaker signal and pickup clear digital brodcast and may not pickup the analog, or it could be a difference between VHF and UHF, for instance My PBS is NC is channel 4 (VHF) on analog, well the digital channel 4 in my area is channel 59 (UHF) which ATSC tuners convert to channel 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, and 4-5. now I only have UHF Antenna so I cannot receive analog channel 4 (VHF) but I can receive digital channel 4 (59 UHF) perfectly. I hope I did not confuse anyone

Your Channel 4 will become Channel 59 after Feb 17, 2009, ie: 59.1, 59.2, etc.

They will be using the frequencies for tv channels 2-13 for other things like police/fire communications.

[slowdeath]

Thanks for the help folks. As can happen, a second or third restart seemed to do the trick and we'll never know the true cause. Cross your fingers that it doesn't re-occur before next Feb!

[maharg18]

Your Channel 4 will become Channel 59 after Feb 17, 2009, ie: 59.1, 59.2, etc.

They will be using the frequencies for tv channels 2-13 for other things like police/fire communications.

Ummmmm not quite. Channels 52 and above are being reallocated for public safety as well as being sold off to wireless companies. Channels 2 - 13 aren't going anywhere, although most stations are staying away from 2 - 7 due to interference concerns.

[kb7oeb]

Low power stations don't have to convert next year, that said the only low power station I ever want to watch already converted to digital to avoid interference from a high power digital.

[TolloNodre]

There's nothing in the design that prevents a THD from receiving analog OTA, though the implementation of that design may dictate otherwise. Mine pulls in both analog and OTA from my indoor antenna, though the signal on one digital channel is too low to be usable on the TiVo, despite being fine if I connect the same antenna directly to my Aquos LCD, so it would appear that the THD's OTA tuner is not exactly a model of efficiency. I've seen other reports in this forum of the Antenna tuner being weak, so I suspect it's not just mine or yours.

Of course, Murphy's law dictates that the only Digital OTA channel that it won't pick up, is the only local channel that's not available in HD on Time Warner's cable. :mad:

Well, indoor antennas are HIGHLY subject to multipath and other interference so that's not really any sort of valid test of the tuner performance. I know, I lived with a 'highly rated' Radio Shack powered indoor until I had my Wineguard GS2200 installed!

With the Wineguard, the tuner of my S3 works very well and pulls in several stations that TVFool shows as fringe.

[ThAbtO]

Low power stations don't have to convert next year, that said the only low power station I ever want to watch already converted to digital to avoid interference from a high power digital.

The only low power station here in the SF Bay Area is Channel 28 and it airs the HSN 1/2 of the time and I receive it on the THD and TV although a bit fuzzy.