[Electronics-talk] Digital TV options for TV radios

Sat Feb 21 16:50:40 UTC 2009

You may recall a few months back a shooting of several people at a 
Silicon company called Siport.  This company, among other things is 
developing chips for portable HD radio devices.  Don't know where the 
project is though.

Dave

At 02:52 PM 2/20/2009, you wrote:
>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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> > End  of Electronics-talk Digest, Vol 34, Issue  19
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