Transcript: Live chat with Jim Puzzanghera

Administrator: Welcome!

Administrator: And welcome Jim Puzzanghera, our resident expert, who's here to answer your questions about the changeover to digital.

Burt: Will Cox Comm. continue to provide analog signals in

Jim Puzzanghera: I believe that Cox will continue offering analog signals, but you should check with them. The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that all cable comapnies must continue to provide the signals they are now providing for at least three years after the transition. The only way around that is if the cable company turns its entire system all-digital. Some small cable companies may do that, but most of the large ones have too many analog customers to do that immediately.

dtv30: if you don't have an antenna on your roof, will you be able to pick up DTV channels with the converter box?

Jim Puzzanghera: Thanks for the question dtv30 (sorry, we've been having a few technical difficulties here, but seem to be on track now). You can pick up digital signals with rabbit ears on your set, but you may not get the signals as well as on your roof. In my house, the rabbit ears worked find.

Leon: Digital TV has had a history of being difficult to receive. What do you recommend as an effective way to receive all the digital signals

Administrator: (Folks, if you've sent a question and haven't seen it appear yet, don't worry -- just giving Jim time to type in between questions. We'll get to them soon!)

Jim Puzzanghera: You're right, Leon, it can be tough to pick up some channels because of the so-called "cliff effect," which means you either get a strong signal or nothing at all. I've heard that an antenna booster can help if you're having problems. Also, a rooftop antenna works better than rabbit ears.

dtv30: what about the converter box packages that say they work with super antennas? Do you need those?

Jim Puzzanghera: I haven't heard of those, dtv 30, but I'd be wary of retailers trying to upsell you. You may be fine with your regular antenna.

craig: If I have the digital decoder box and a computer monitor is there something else I can use besides an old tv to watch tv on the monitor?

Jim Puzzanghera: You have to have a digital tuner somewhere in the system. Some DVRs and DVD players have them and I've heard they can work to pick up the signals.

dtv30: i get terrible reception (free TV, not cable) and they say digital is even harder to pick up. Am i likely to pick up anything?

Jim Puzzanghera: Your signal should improve. My antenna tv got lousy reception and with a converter box it was great. But everyone's results may vary.

marvin.baker@verizon.net: I receive all digital channels more clearly than the analog ones. Yet, I cannot receive digital channel 24 but analog is just fine.

Jim Puzzanghera: I had someone else email me with a problem about channel 24, Marvin. I haven't checked, but they may not be broadcasting in digitial yet. Broadcasters have until Feb. 18, though most are already up and running. You might want to check with them.

JD: i have TIVO. how can i make it work w/dtv antenna + satelite?