Dale Kelly posted: -------------------- http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/analog-shutdown-nears-antenna-reality-eme rges-0609/ [ ... ] Centris, a market research firm, estimates these issues will affect more than 40 million primary and vacation households and that the government is leaving out two key details in their DTV education campaign. The firm outlined its differences with the government and answered their public criticism in a new DTV Reception Study Fact Sheet. The first detail relates to the type of antenna the government assumes the viewer is using. The assumption is that the TVs are connected to an outdoor antenna 30ft above the ground with an electric motor that allows the user to point the antenna toward the desired station. In its research, Centris found that 75 percent of over-the-air households use indoor antennas on their TVs, and only 13 percent have an outdoor motorized roof-top antenna. [ ... ] -------------------- I believe we discussed this Centris study already. They used Antennaweb results to make their determinations. In my experience, the results of Antennaweb are now very pessimistic, even when using my older STBs. And, in fact, they can change rather dramatically in very small areas. But the interesting part of all of this is what they are saying, for the same analog-to-DTT switchover, across the pond. I'll copy the text below. What it says is that the (French) CSA will investigate problem reception conditions, but only in certain cases. And one specific exception is if you were receiving TV with an indoor antenna previously, but now cannot receive DTT that way any longer, or receive it poorly. Should this happen, you first have to try to receive DTT with a 10m (~30') outdoor antenna, and have your setup checked over by a professional, before sending in a request for CSA investigation. This is because DTT coverage was planned based on that 10m receive antenna height. I think what will happen in practice is that people will re-optimize their antenna systems for DTT, in due course. As I'm set up now, especially downstairs, virtually all analog TV is unwatchable. DTT is, conversely, great. Upstairs, still depending on the 2004 design HD 3150Plus, analog and digital reception are more similar. Bert -------------------- http://www.csa.fr/outils/faq/faq.php#118065 Q. Je recevais avec une antenne portative d'intérieur, je ne reçois plus ou de manière dégradée, pourquoi ne puis-je pas bénéficier d'une enquête? A. Les fréquences sont planifiées selon les règles en vigueur au niveau international, c'est à dire avec une antenne extérieure, à 10 m de hauteur par rapport au sol. Le signal que reçoit votre antenne intérieure est inévitablement atténué par les murs ou le toit et par tous les circuits électriques et matériaux qu'ils contiennent. Si vous utilisez une antenne intérieure, vous ne mettez pas toutes les chances de bonne réception de votre côté. L'Etat ne peut donc pas déclencher une enquête coûteuse pour améliorer cette réception. Cela vaut naturellement aussi pour l'utilisation d'une antenne dans les combles. Si les troubles persistent avec l'usage d'une antenne extérieure située à plus de 10 m de hauteur, si la réception était satisfaisante avant le début des troubles et si votre installation a été vérifiée par un professionnel, la demande d'intervention est alors justifiée. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.