Date:         Sun, 4 Mar 2007 08:47:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Guzyk <paullist@GUZYK.COM>
Subject:      Re: 12-volt LCD monitors for FREE DTV NVC
In-Reply-To:  <bfb5ccc40703032047q6575c988o844cbcba6b1925a5@mail.gmail.com>
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Dot and I stayed at a friends house last week who had a new flat
screen LCD TV with digital tuner. No cable, no satellite, just rabbit
ears.

We could not believe the picture quality, while old fashioned
(analog) TV channels were wishy washy, but the Digital channels were
showing up in crystal clear HD with great sound....and there were
many more channels.  For example, with analog, you get channels
4,5,6.  With digital you get channels 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5, 5.1, 5.2,
5.3, 5.4 etc.

 From what I gather, the digital signals have some kind of error
correction sent in the signal so if you are in a marginal reception
area it rebuilds the signal somewhat so you get better than analog
quality.  I've heard that many areas in the US are already
broadcasting "free" digital service and all will have it in the
coming months.  Within 2 years the old analog transmitters will be
shut off.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html

We were so impressed with the quality are now thinking of how to
incorporate a small LCD TV or our Mac laptop with digital tuner into
our Westy.  Not that we're huge TV heads, buts once in a while on a
rainy night a little TV would be nice, if we could receive the signal.

A second piece of technology we liked was a USB TV tuner for Mac,
from Elgato.  This USB device (about the size of a Bic lighter)
converts your Mac laptop into a digital TV with Tivo style recording
features including iPod export for under $150.  Once again, our
friend blew us away showing us this product with a simple antennae.
(sorry, I don't know the best Windows equivalent, we prefer Mac's)
http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna

Too bad vehicle technology didn't develop as fast as consumer
electronics over the last 20 years....we'd all be driving 400HP
Syncros that get 50MPG and cost $1000.