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Monday, June 29, 2009 8:04 AM No television reception By Rochelle Moore | Times Staff Writer Boyd Reynolds got a jump start on the analog-to-digital television transition that went into effect nationally June 12. The Lucama resident, who is decidedly not receptive to changes in technology, learned about a television converter coupon early this year and went to a local store to buy a converter box. The coupon saved him $40, and he ended up paying only about $10 for the box he installed in February. The converter box instantly boosted his reception, and he was able to increase the number of TV stations he said he could get over the air from 17 to 29. That was until June 12 when the nationwide change occurred and the old analog TV signals were flipped to digital only. At the very first, increased his reception and gained even more channels. But within a half hour, he said, the TV started flipping on and off, and his converter box failed. "It was working, and we were watching TV shows," Reynolds said. "Then, it started flipping on and off. I unplugged it and tried to reset it and nothing worked." Reynolds is one of many residents experiencing problems with this month's TV transition, not only in the Wilson County area, but also nationwide. DTV Across America, a consumer organization, reports that an estimated 5 million households are still struggling to get back the stations they used to get before the switchover. Reynolds waited through the first weekend to see if the problem corrected itself, but it did not. So he called Magnavox to complain about the converter. He also found that the telephone wait time was more than 20 minutes. It wasn't until this past Tuesday that he finally waited 30 minutes to connect with a customer service representative. "It gets daggone frustrating trying to get a hold of those rascals," he said. "It took a week to reach them. Finally I got determined." U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-Wilson, who had concerns about the transition earlier this year, said he has received several calls from rural residents experiencing blackout problems, in part he said, because they do not have antennas strong enough to pick up the digital signal. "We've gotten a few calls but not a lot," Butterfield said. "People were led to believe that if they got the converter box everything would be OK." About 10 percent of all North Carolina residents, close to 370,000 people, get over-the-air television reception, Butterfield said. "I'm fearful that these 370,000 residents are in the dark," Butterfield said. "Nationwide, I hear that the Federal Communications Commission has received 248,000 calls from people who have lost their signal." rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818 |
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TV reception is news? said...
Is this really worth a frontpage story? I understand that some people are having difficulties with their TVs and reception, but give me a break. The content of this so called newspaper is pitiful. It is nothing more than a dizzy advertising rag. Rename it Daily Times Town Talk and Ads since the news is being left out. It seems that Mr. Reynolds isn't the only one in the dark and confused about what to do.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 7:52 AM
JCD said...Is this really worth a frontpage story? I understand that some people are having difficulties with their TVs and reception, but give me a break. The content of this so called newspaper is pitiful. It is nothing more than a dizzy advertising rag. Rename it Daily Times Town Talk and Ads since the news is being left out. It seems that Mr. Reynolds isn't the only one in the dark and confused about what to do.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 7:52 AM
He pulls for the cowboys, he doesn't need to watch tv.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 7:48 AM
When a natural disaster occurs in the future.Ether a Hurricane or what ever.All of those folks out there without power,and with a battery powered tv or one of those gizmo tv's with a radio, flashlight att. Will not be able to use it because of this switch.So everyone will be in the dark in an affected area.Sad.
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10:23 PM
TO CANDYMAN: I JUST BET YOU WOULD /BE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE!!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Thanks for that irrelevant information Mike. This is for 2 cents; Did you read the part where he got a coupon and only paid $10.00 for the box. That is cheaper than the old antenna cost (so pretty much free). I understand that not everyone needs cable but like I said YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! I didn't have cable for a while but I didn't complain about the antenna having a perfect picture. I watched movies and played games. I understand about the economy but that is the exception I am directing my comments for the people who sit around all day and think that they do not have to do anything but watch tv.
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 1:15 PM
