I have a question about the television digital switchover......

I don't think the radio was digital. Here is the link describing all types of digital audio.

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

i DID read the wiki link...but its full of technical terms that i don't comprehend..the best i gleaned from it is that SOME radio stations are broadcasting on digital signals in the us and other countries, but not all - the DAB and Eureka ones are digital right? - but that most others are still on the analog signal.....so i still ask why no converter needed for those that switched over to digital signals? Our local station DEFINITELY advertises as 100% digital( perhaps over-advertising on their part?) ...so i am still lost as to the answer to my original question.
I'm thinking it must have to do with the difference between audio and visual data...but no one i KNOW knows the answer either LOL..and i cannot seem to find the answer online in terms i can understand...bleh.....there are times it STINKS not to be technically inclined......

Last Edited by Thoughts Faux Fodder on 06/15/2009 09:42 AM

I think then that the digital signal is still converted to AM/or FM and conforms to that. Television changed frequencies and bands.

ahh OK now THAT makes sense :-)
thank you!!!!!

Ever heard of HD Radio?

HD Radio technology is a system used by AM and FM radio stations to digitally transmit audio and data in conjunction with their analog signals. This system enables AM and FM radio stations to simulcast both digital and analog audio within the same channel (a hybridized digital-analog signal) as well as add new FM channels and text information. Although HD Radio broadcasting's content is currently subscription-free, listeners must purchase new receivers in order to receive the digital portion of the signal.

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

That is the "real" digital radio in HD. Just like the switch over to HDTV, it's basically the same, but in technical terms is different.

i had maybe heard of HD radio butsure had not given thought to what the term meant...as i said i am no big on technology- it's a wonder i manage the computer in my estimation LOL
so basically they just use completely different terms for everything is how it seems to me - digital means one thing for one , and another for something else...but i do think i get the gist of it now ... i am much more inclined to be curious about a marvelous butterfly than i am in acronyms and machines so i thank you for your patience with my non-techie blondness :::grins:::
i'm the type that HAS to have an answer if at all possible once i get a notion about something so i really appreciate you guys!

I know they did something like that in the UK, going digital... But they missed the boat, internet radio killed them all.

No problem. Really, the only reason they are different in technical terms is because we are talking about Radio and TVs. They are different devices with similar but different technology.

They are broadcasting in both, digital and analog. You are still listening to the analog signal.