Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Unicat retro TV channels the 1940s, bidding now underway]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/unicat-retro-tv-channels-the-1940s-bidding-now-underway/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/unicat-retro-tv-channels-the-1940s-bidding-now-underway/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/12/unicat-retro-tv-channels-the-1940s-bidding-now-underway/#comments How does technology a half-century old manage to be this sexy? We're not certain. But this one-of-a-kind, handmade retro television -- which seemingly combines an old desktop lamp and a giant magnifying glass -- definitely tugs at our heartstrings. With a 5.5-inch monochrome CRT screen and no inputs to speak of, you won't be watching Blu-rays on this set, and its PAL standard and 220V plug mean non-Europeans might not be bothered to try. Still, for an old over-the-air TV, it's remarkably full-featured, with knobs for volume, band (VHF-L / VHF-H / UHF), brightness, contrast and V-sync, and we can't get over its clean, handsome design. If your Nixie tube collection is getting lonely, check out the auction at our source link; bidding starts at €300.

Gallery: UNICAT retro television set by DJ Design


[Thanks, Alex]

Unicat retro TV channels the 1940s, bidding now underway originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artblack and whiteBlackAndWhiteBWCRTdesignDIYDJ DesignDjDesignhomemademonomonochromemonochrome tvMonochromeTvPALretrosteampunksteampunk tvSteampunkTvtelevisiontvUHFuniquev-syncVHFMon, 12 Apr 2010 09:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Nielsen reports the effects of the digital transition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/nielsen-reports-the-affects-of-the-digital-transition/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/nielsen-reports-the-affects-of-the-digital-transition/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/03/nielsen-reports-the-affects-of-the-digital-transition/#commentsNielsen DTV chart
This is a really interesting report of the affects of the digital transition on ratings. Like the fact that "TV stations that transitioned to digital only experienced an 8 percent share decline immediately following the analog shut-off." But even more interesting is this that same number goes up to 13 percent if the broadcaster switched from UHF to VHF because of reception problems -- no wonder some broadcasters are going back to UHF. The other thing that piqued our interest was that cable companies seemed to be the real winners here as 18.2 percent of those facing the decision to buy a converter box, just ordered cable instead -- little do they know that they are just putting off getting a box.

[Via TVB]

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Nielsen reports the effects of the digital transition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analog shutoffAnalogShutoffDTVdtv transitionDtvTransitionFCChdNielsenUHFVHFTue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[A few broadcasters are moving back to UHF]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/a-few-broadcasters-are-moving-back-to-uhf/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/a-few-broadcasters-are-moving-back-to-uhf/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/a-few-broadcasters-are-moving-back-to-uhf/#comments
Warranted or not, there has always been a stigma against UHF stations -- greatest Weird Al Yankovic movie ever -- so maybe that had something to do with many broadcasters electing to move back to their original frequency assignment after the digital transition. Whatever the reason, some broadcasters quickly realized the advantages of UHF over VHF when it comes to ATSC and have petitioned the FCC to move back. This is good news for everyone having problems pulling in those signals, but it really makes us wonder why the FCC didn't just standardize on UHF when it had the chance. At any rate, the moral of the story is that if you're having problems receiving your favorite VHF stations after the transition, don't hesitate to be vocal about it; because who knows, maybe they'll actually listen and move to UHF as well. The cool part is that moving frequencies is a pretty painless process thanks to virtual channel numbers -- unless of course you're using Windows Media Center.

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A few broadcasters are moving back to UHF originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analog shutoffAnalogShutoffbroadcastersdigital transitionDigitalTransitionhdotaUHFVHFTue, 18 Aug 2009 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/hd-101-what-is-atsc-psip-qam-and-8-vsb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/hd-101-what-is-atsc-psip-qam-and-8-vsb/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/hd-101-what-is-atsc-psip-qam-and-8-vsb/#commentsHD master control
Once you buy an HDTV it doesn't take long before you get confused by all the acronyms. We love us some HD, but the days of simply bringing a new set home and plugging into a coax cable are long over -- at least for most. It is pretty obvious by the latest surveys that most people don't understand exactly what it takes to enjoy HD on their HDTV, but even if you do, you may not understand what most of it means. Now while this isn't the typical make sure you have your HDTV configured to watch HD post, it will help you understand the different ways HD is delivered.

Continue reading HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?

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HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-VSB8VSBAC3ATSCbroadbandcableCableCARDFCCfeaturedfeatureshdHD 101HD-101HD101modulatorNTSCotaPSIPQAMQAM256SDVUHFVHFFri, 08 May 2009 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[DTV switch rough going for some]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/dtv-switch-rough-going-for-some/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/dtv-switch-rough-going-for-some/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/dtv-switch-rough-going-for-some/#commentsPredictably, some folks aren't getting the same reception they used to now that analog broadcasts have (partially) shut off. An AP report featured in USA Today cited stats showing half of the 25,000 calls to the FCC on February 18 were because of reception or antenna issues. As we've known, the effect of the digital cliff and obstructions can make continuing to receive OTA channels a dicey affair depending on where you live. Some have given in and subscribed to cable or satellite, while others are still experimenting with antenna placement, waiting for higher power broadcasts or tower moves, and some have just learned to live without it. Any DTV tales of woe and/or triumph now that we're a couple of weeks past the first stage of the switch?

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DTV switch rough going for some originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analog shutoffAnalogShutoffdigital cliffdigital tvDigitalCliffDigitalTvdtvhdotareceptionuhfvhfWed, 04 Mar 2009 01:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GSSI / Toptronics / Antennas Direct intro DA-001 indoor antenna]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/gssi-toptronics-antennas-direct-intro-da-001-indoor-antenna/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/gssi-toptronics-antennas-direct-intro-da-001-indoor-antenna/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/gssi-toptronics-antennas-direct-intro-da-001-indoor-antenna/#comments
We heard Antennas Direct was going small, and it wasn't kidding. In partnership with GSSI and Toptronics, the firm has just rolled out the DA-001 indoor antenna, complete with a "patented element and low noise amplifier designed for digital signal reception." Checking in at 12- x 8- x 13-inches, the unit was crafted to receive both VHF and UHF signals (channels 2 to 69), and supposedly, it can fetch said waves up to 50 miles away. There's been no official mention of a price, but a modicum of digging puts it just south of $65.

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GSSI / Toptronics / Antennas Direct intro DA-001 indoor antenna originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 May 2008 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantennas directAntennasDirectDA-001GSSIhdindoor antennaIndoorAntennaotaota antennaOtaAntennaothersToptronicsuhfvhfWed, 14 May 2008 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Diamond Multimedia offers up HDTV100 portable USB TV tuner]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/02/diamond-multimedia-offers-up-hdtv100-portable-usb-tv-tuner/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/02/diamond-multimedia-offers-up-hdtv100-portable-usb-tv-tuner/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/02/diamond-multimedia-offers-up-hdtv100-portable-usb-tv-tuner/#commentsAlthough these miniscule USB TV tuners have long been available overseas, we're thrilled to see Diamond Multimedia bringing the tiny OTA tuning love here to the States. The firm's HDTV100 sports an attractively small thumb drive-like enclosure, is powered entirely by USB, and features both ATSC and analog tuners within. Aside from supporting EPG, allowing you to schedule recordings and simultaneously playback a stored show while capturing another, it also comes with a "video capture dongle" to grab content from sources other than your trusty TV antenna. Best of all, Diamond's wee gem can be snapped up for just $99, which should give American travelers yearning for a little TV action while on the go little to frown upon.

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Diamond Multimedia offers up HDTV100 portable USB TV tuner originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080ianalogantennaatscdiamonddigitaldual tunerDualTunerepghdHDTV100laptopmp3otaothersportabletraveluhfusbvhfTue, 02 Jan 2007 15:34:00 EST