TVTechnology: Station recommends buying battery-powered DTVs

03.20.2009 2:20PM

Station recommends buying battery-powered DTVs

PANAMA CITY, FLA.: WJHG-TV, the Gray-owned TV station here, recommended that its viewers get battery-powered DTVs for emergencies.

“Those battery-operated portable analog TVs you’ve come to depend on after a storm will no longer pick up a signal,” the station’s Web site warns.

For WJHG viewers, hurricane season commences nearly two weeks before final DTV transition date hits June 12. The station implores viewers still using an antenna to pick up television, to get down to Radio Shack and get a converter box or buy a digital TV set.

However, those converters won’t work with battery-operated analog sets, said James Anderson, manager of the local Radio Shack.

“If your power is out and you have a battery-operated television that’s analog, it will not pick up any of the digital stations,” he said, noting that battery-powered DTVs aren’t cheap. The 7-incher with rechargeable battery comes with a $200 price tag.

Hurricane season starts June 1 in this community on the Gulf of Mexico. -- Deborah D. McAdams

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Posted by: Anonymous

Fri, 03-20-2009 - 4:28PM Report Comment

Apparently nobody has done an internet search for the words "battery powered converter box"

Posted by: Mark J. Pescatore

Fri, 03-20-2009 - 4:10PM Report Comment

As a native South Floridian, it pained me to get rid of my emergency, battery-operated B&W television. It never had a great picture, but it worked when I needed it most -- when hurricanes knocked out my power. Now, finding a battery-operated DTV isn't easy and it isn't cheap. This problem is going to get more attention as we get closer to hurricane season.

Posted by: Anonymous

Mon, 03-23-2009 - 9:42PM Report Comment

Be of good cheer, a plentiful suppy of portable digital TV's will follow shortly the BIG SWITCH (IF IT EVER REALLY COMES) and prices will drop, so just be patient and continue to rely on the tried and true voices of WEATHER RADIOS and local radio stations that still have live-on-the-premises personnel who can stay on the air during an entire emergency situation as in the days of yore. Long live radio!!!!!!!! Joy and agape'...Joe Pinner joepinner.com

Posted by: DTV Trainer

Mon, 03-23-2009 - 8:44PM Report Comment

Keep your battery TV. It WON'T be obsolete after the transtion. Viewers who plan ahead can buy a battery-powered converter, or buy a converter that runs on both house power and battery power and build a simple power source from two lantern batteries. Way cheaper than buying a new digital battery TV for $200. Find the "watch a battery TV" button at the bottom of the website www.digitalTVtrainer.com.

Posted by: Anonymous

Mon, 03-23-2009 - 11:29AM Report Comment

In an emergency, how many battery-operated appliances do you want to haul around if you have to evacuate? A battery powered converter box and a portable tv = a lot of batteries. Also, some old portable TVs don't have inputs, only an antenna. Further, do you want to rely on video via your cell phone service when severe weather might knock out service longer than a broadcast station would be down? The tech elites will look down on those wanting an affordable battery-operated tv. But a battery operated DTV under $200 might be nice.

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