[Electronics-talk] Digital TV options for TV radios

Fri Feb 20 20:52:55 UTC 2009

My local NPR station's Director of Engineering tells me that portable HD
is in the works but still a time off.  There is also some work being
done on a USB HD radio for use with your computer.  This work is still
in the lab stage and it will than need to be picked up by a consumer
equipment manufacturer.  

-----Original Message-----
From: electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Levy
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 1:25 PM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Digital TV options for TV radios

The reason there's no portable radio with a built-in DTV tuner lies in
the 
nature of digital broadcasting.  Unlike analog signals which can still
be 
heard as you move around, albeit with occasional distortion, digital
signals 
are "all or nothing".  So if the signal is too weak, you won't hear any 
sound at all.  This can be a real problem if you're moving around and
the 
signal fades or drops out frequently.  None of the major manufacturers
of 
portable and Walkman-style radios with built in analog TV
bands-Panasonic, 
Sangean and Sony-have shown any interest in developing such products
with 
digital TV tuners.  The R&D costs are high and the payback relatively
small. 
Rumor has it that CCrane is working on a radio that can receive gdigital
TV, 
but it won't be on the market any time soon.

Gerald
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Kenlawrence124 at aol.com>
To: <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 2:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Digital TV options for TV radios

> Hi Steve, Ken here.  Not sure how good this will do, but with all the 
> talk
> of HD radio, if a portable radio is ever developed, would that make it
> possible for reception of a Digital audio signal for TV too?  That's a
big 
> if since
> it's been five years of Hype, and we still don't have a portable HD 
> radio.
> And these idiots in the broadcast industry can't figure out why
people 
> aren't
> switching to it.  When the HD champions say It's time to  upgrade, my 
> question
> is Upgrade to What?  it crystal clear and free is all  they talk about

> never
> Content.  That's what I hope is different about  digital TV
transition. 
> More
> channels is great, but is there something blind or  sighted will
watch?  I
> would hope we get the classic TV channel that is on  digital.  If you
go 
> to
> Detroit this summer, you will see it on the  secondary channel of the
ABC 
> station,
> WXYZ think that's Channel seven.  I  bet it's been a while since you
saw
> Emergency, Adam twelve, or It Takes a Thief  Huh?
>
> I pledge to  participate actively in the efforts of the national 
> federation
> of the blind to  achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the 
> blind; to
> support the  policies and programs of the federation; and abide by its
> constitution.
>
>
> In a message dated 2/20/2009 2:09:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> electronics-talk-request at nfbnet.org writes:
>
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> Today's  Topics:
>
> 1. Digital TV Options for TV Radios (Steve  Jacobson)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message:  1
> Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:25:50 -0600
> From: "Steve Jacobson"  <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
> Subject: [Electronics-talk] Digital TV  Options for TV Radios
> To: "electronics-talk at nfbnet.org"  <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Message-ID:  <auto-000013656710 at mailback1.g2host.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;  charset="us-ascii"
>
> This seems like a good project to direct at those of  us hear who have
an
> interest in experimenting.  On another list,  frustration was
expressed 
> over the
> fact that the TV
> radios that many of us  use won't work as TV stations go digital.  I
> suggested some alternatives,  but it would be good if those of us who 
> don't mind
> experimenting could
> come up with some ideas that we specifically know work.
>
> Do  any of you have experience with digital converter boxes with audio
> outputs?  My understanding is that audio outputs are not uncommon, but

> how common
> are they
> on boxes covered by the coupons?
>
> When audio  outputs are available, one suggestion I made was that
there 
> are
> several FM  transmitters around that might allow a digital converter
to 
> make
> the audio
> available through an FM radio anywhere in the house.  These devices
seem 
> to
> come and go.  Has anyone purchased an FM transmitter during the  past 
> month or
> two
> that they like?  I have several, but they are all a  couple of years
old.
> This approach isn't as good as a TV radio, but it  would afford some 
> portability
> around the house.
>
> Does anyone make  a truly portable digital converter?  I suspect the 
> demand
> for such a  thing would be very small, but who knows.
>
> Any ideas might be helpful as  we see analog TV disappear.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve  Jacobson
>
>
>
>
>
>
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