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We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.

But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work with the new
system coming in, or will I have to get a set top box or something for the
computer too?

Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?

(And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a perfectly
good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)

Silly questions I suppose.

Thank you.

Geopelia

On 2012-11-16, Geopelia <> wrote:
> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.

Digtal yes?

>
> But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work with the new
> system coming in, or will I have to get a set top box or something for the
> computer too?

Tv's like phones are becoming "smart", they connect to the Internet and you
can connect them to other things on the network.

Modern TV's have the tuner decoding in them, so its a case of plug in and
turn on and watch all those ads. Not quite the same as the good old days.

>
> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?

Not really that easy.

>
> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a perfectly
> good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)

Digital is better. It is the way the world is going/gone just like decimal
money and metric system.

You can get more channels is a given bandwidth and then you can sell of the
rights to the old frequencies and make money. The mobile phone folks will be
in like a robbers dog.

On 16/11/12 17:25, Geopelia wrote:
>
> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>
You can get a set-top box which will work with your existing TV.
>
> But I can get some TV programs on the computer.
>
Do you mean TVNZ's "On demand"? That doesn't cover other channels. If
you don't mean TVNZ's On-Demand, what do you mean?
>
> Will they work with the new system coming in, or will I have to get a
> set top box or something for the computer too?
>
It depends what you mean. If you don't have a TV aerial on your computer
now, you won't need one for the digital changeover.
>
> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>
Yes, but you would have to put a TV tuner card in your computer so that
you could connect the VCR to your computer directly. But you probably
wouldn't want to do that.

If you have particular tapes that you want to view, (say a family
wedding video or similar) there are people who will transfer VCR tape to
DVD, but it will cost you.
>
> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a
> perfectly good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)
>
All programs are being made in digital formats overseas and if NZ were
to keep the analog system, then they would have to convert all overseas
stuff to analog to broadcast it (including stuff in news items). The
equipment needed to broadcast analog (which is sourced overseas) would
become scarce over time.
>
> Silly questions I suppose.
>
No such thing, Geo!

Cheers,

Cliff

On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:30:44 +1300, Enkidu
<> wrote:

>On 16/11/12 17:25, Geopelia wrote:
>>
>> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>>
>You can get a set-top box which will work with your existing TV.
>>
>> But I can get some TV programs on the computer.
>>
>Do you mean TVNZ's "On demand"? That doesn't cover other channels. If
>you don't mean TVNZ's On-Demand, what do you mean?
>>
>> Will they work with the new system coming in, or will I have to get a
>> set top box or something for the computer too?
>>
>It depends what you mean. If you don't have a TV aerial on your computer
>now, you won't need one for the digital changeover.


You can get a USB Freeview receiver for say $30 but it has to be
plugged into a decent antenna unless you are very close to the Freeview
Transmitter.

I have one works well only cost me $20 from Hong Kong but I don't really
use it as I don't have antenna connection near my PC.


The Same one is sold on Trademe for $36 from memory


But from memory your computer is very very old so might not work to
well.


>> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>>
>Yes, but you would have to put a TV tuner card in your computer so that
>you could connect the VCR to your computer directly. But you probably
>wouldn't want to do that.
>
>If you have particular tapes that you want to view, (say a family
>wedding video or similar) there are people who will transfer VCR tape to
>DVD, but it will cost you.



Just get a Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD Freeview recorder and DVD Recorder,
it has inputs for a VCR and you can the record the Video to DVD..


>> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a
>> perfectly good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)
>>
>All programs are being made in digital formats overseas and if NZ were
>to keep the analog system, then they would have to convert all overseas
>stuff to analog to broadcast it (including stuff in news items). The
>equipment needed to broadcast analog (which is sourced overseas) would
>become scarce over time.
> >
>> Silly questions I suppose.


Some one is very confused.


>No such thing, Geo!
>
>Cheers,
>
>Cliff

"Frank Williams" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:30:44 +1300, Enkidu
> <> wrote:
>
>>On 16/11/12 17:25, Geopelia wrote:
>>>
>>> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>>>
>>You can get a set-top box which will work with your existing TV.
>>>
>>> But I can get some TV programs on the computer.
>>>
>>Do you mean TVNZ's "On demand"? That doesn't cover other channels. If
>>you don't mean TVNZ's On-Demand, what do you mean?
>>>
>>> Will they work with the new system coming in, or will I have to get a
>>> set top box or something for the computer too?
>>>
>>It depends what you mean. If you don't have a TV aerial on your computer
>>now, you won't need one for the digital changeover.
>
>
> You can get a USB Freeview receiver for say $30 but it has to be
> plugged into a decent antenna unless you are very close to the Freeview
> Transmitter.
>
> I have one works well only cost me $20 from Hong Kong but I don't really
> use it as I don't have antenna connection near my PC.
>
>
> The Same one is sold on Trademe for $36 from memory
>
>
> But from memory your computer is very very old so might not work to
> well.

It's not all that old, about 12 years.

>
>
>>> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>>>
>>Yes, but you would have to put a TV tuner card in your computer so that
>>you could connect the VCR to your computer directly. But you probably
>>wouldn't want to do that.
>>
>>If you have particular tapes that you want to view, (say a family
>>wedding video or similar) there are people who will transfer VCR tape to
>>DVD, but it will cost you.
>
>
>
> Just get a Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD Freeview recorder and DVD Recorder,
> it has inputs for a VCR and you can the record the Video to DVD..

I'll make a note of that, thanks.

>
>>> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a
>>> perfectly good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)
>>>
>>All programs are being made in digital formats overseas and if NZ were
>>to keep the analog system, then they would have to convert all overseas
>>stuff to analog to broadcast it (including stuff in news items). The
>>equipment needed to broadcast analog (which is sourced overseas) would
>>become scarce over time.
>> >
>>> Silly questions I suppose.
>
>
> Some one is very confused.
>
>
>>No such thing, Geo!
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Cliff

Thanks folks, now I'm more confused than ever. I'll have to leave it all to
the computer man or the TV man.

Yes, I get TV on demand for TVNZ. TV3 and 4 also seem to have programs on
demand. I can't find anything about Prime on demand, it seems to be all
stuff about Sky which we don't have.
Hubby watches a lot of TV but doesn't want to get Sky. Too expensive he
says, and you have to pay extra for the boxing etc.

We grew up before TV, so aren't so dependent on it as folks today.

Geopelia

On 11/16/2012 5:25 PM, Geopelia wrote:
> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.

You really should do, boxes are frequently sold at the warehouse for $70
on promo, not the greatest ones but the ones I have on the antique TV's
in the shed and garage are working a treat.

> But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work with the new
> system coming in, or will I have to get a set top box or something for the
> computer too?

TV on demand is seperate from broadcast.

> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?

Recorded tapes are analog. Any analog video capture device will let you
get them into the computer. There is a very wide selection of USB
devices sold for the purposes of transfering your old VHS's to the
computer, or else for making youtube uploads easy from camcorders etc.
Those will usually allow for a realtime display of the images so you can
watch on the computer even tho that isnt their prime purpose.

> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a perfectly
> good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)

Because the old system was terribly inefficiant with its use of a very
very scarse resource. The govt has a duty to provide maximum benifit to
citizens from limited resources.

Wasting 8MHz of spectrum to provide one low resolution artifact riddled
analog transmission with only one audio channel available is a waste.
IMO the govt is negligent by dragging the switchoff out for as long as
possible.

Hell, you cant even buy a television in the aspect ratio of the obsolete
analog transmissions anymore.

On 11/16/2012 11:59 PM, Geopelia wrote:
> "Frank Williams" <> wrote in message

>> But from memory your computer is very very old so might not work to
>> well.
>
> It's not all that old, about 12 years.

That makes it a complete fossil in that case.

>> Just get a Panasonic DMR-XW390 DVD Freeview recorder and DVD Recorder,
>> it has inputs for a VCR and you can the record the Video to DVD..
>
> I'll make a note of that, thanks.

> Thanks folks, now I'm more confused than ever. I'll have to leave it all to
> the computer man or the TV man.

I expect that when auckland finally gets its analog switchoff there will
be more information provided to people.

IMO is insane they are marketing it as a digital switch over since many
people seem to think they have to wait till the day to change instead of
getting off analog now.

> Yes, I get TV on demand for TVNZ. TV3 and 4 also seem to have programs on
> demand. I can't find anything about Prime on demand, it seems to be all
> stuff about Sky which we don't have.
> Hubby watches a lot of TV but doesn't want to get Sky. Too expensive he
> says, and you have to pay extra for the boxing etc.

Primes ondemand is only available in isky which is only available to sky
subscribers. Choice tv seem to have quite a good ondemand site, still
needs flash tho which does suck.

> We grew up before TV, so aren't so dependent on it as folks today.

"Richard" <> wrote in message
news:k857np$u81$...
> On 11/16/2012 5:25 PM, Geopelia wrote:
>> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>
> You really should do, boxes are frequently sold at the warehouse for $70
> on promo, not the greatest ones but the ones I have on the antique TV's in
> the shed and garage are working a treat.
>
>> But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work with the
>> new
>> system coming in, or will I have to get a set top box or something for
>> the
>> computer too?
>
> TV on demand is seperate from broadcast.
>
>> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>
> Recorded tapes are analog. Any analog video capture device will let you
> get them into the computer. There is a very wide selection of USB devices
> sold for the purposes of transfering your old VHS's to the computer, or
> else for making youtube uploads easy from camcorders etc. Those will
> usually allow for a realtime display of the images so you can watch on the
> computer even tho that isnt their prime purpose.

I'll see if the computer man has the stuff that can do it.

>> (And why does the government or someone have to mess about with a
>> perfectly
>> good system anyway? To rake in more GST?)
>
> Because the old system was terribly inefficiant with its use of a very
> very scarse resource. The govt has a duty to provide maximum benifit to
> citizens from limited resources.
>
> Wasting 8MHz of spectrum to provide one low resolution artifact riddled
> analog transmission with only one audio channel available is a waste. IMO
> the govt is negligent by dragging the switchoff out for as long as
> possible.
>
> Hell, you cant even buy a television in the aspect ratio of the obsolete
> analog transmissions anymore.
>


Thank you.

The was some scheme mentioned where eligible people could get the cost of
changing over, or some of the cost.
We would be eligible.

But nothing more seems to have been said about it. Perhaps they are waiting
until most people have already changed over.
We are hanging on to see what happens, plenty of time before the Auckland
changeover.

On 17/11/12 09:45, Geopelia wrote:
> "Richard" <> wrote in message
> news:k857np$u81$...
>> On 11/16/2012 5:25 PM, Geopelia wrote:
>>> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>>
>> You really should do, boxes are frequently sold at the warehouse
>> for $70 on promo, not the greatest ones but the ones I have on the
>> antique TV's in the shed and garage are working a treat.
>>
>>> But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work
>>> with the new system coming in, or will I have to get a set top
>>> box or something for the computer too?
>>
>> TV on demand is seperate from broadcast.
>>
>>> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>>
>> Recorded tapes are analog. Any analog video capture device will let
>> you get them into the computer. There is a very wide selection of
>> USB devices sold for the purposes of transfering your old VHS's to
>> the computer, or else for making youtube uploads easy from
>> camcorders etc. Those will usually allow for a realtime display of
>> the images so you can watch on the computer even tho that isnt
>> their prime purpose.
>
> I'll see if the computer man has the stuff that can do it.
>
Geo, I've had limited success with the USB (plugin) VCR capture devices,
which is why I didn't mention them. If you have any important family
tapes, then you could either get a set top box with VCR input and DVD
recording as Roger suggested, or pay someone copy the tapes to DVD for
you. I suggest that you do that soon as VCRs do not last for ever.

Cheers,

Cliff

"Enkidu" <> wrote in message
news:50a6b972$...
> On 17/11/12 09:45, Geopelia wrote:
>> "Richard" <> wrote in message
>> news:k857np$u81$...
>>> On 11/16/2012 5:25 PM, Geopelia wrote:
>>>> We have got to get our TV changed over with this new system.
>>>
>>> You really should do, boxes are frequently sold at the warehouse
>>> for $70 on promo, not the greatest ones but the ones I have on the
>>> antique TV's in the shed and garage are working a treat.
>>>
>>>> But I can get some TV programs on the computer. Will they work
>>>> with the new system coming in, or will I have to get a set top
>>>> box or something for the computer too?
>>>
>>> TV on demand is seperate from broadcast.
>>>
>>>> Is there any way to watch recorded tapes on a computer?
>>>
>>> Recorded tapes are analog. Any analog video capture device will let
>>> you get them into the computer. There is a very wide selection of
>>> USB devices sold for the purposes of transfering your old VHS's to
>>> the computer, or else for making youtube uploads easy from
>>> camcorders etc. Those will usually allow for a realtime display of
>>> the images so you can watch on the computer even tho that isnt
>>> their prime purpose.
>>
>> I'll see if the computer man has the stuff that can do it.
>>
> Geo, I've had limited success with the USB (plugin) VCR capture devices,
> which is why I didn't mention them. If you have any important family
> tapes, then you could either get a set top box with VCR input and DVD
> recording as Roger suggested, or pay someone copy the tapes to DVD for
> you. I suggest that you do that soon as VCRs do not last for ever.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Cliff
>

Thank you. The tapes are all ones I have recorded from the TV.
Not really worth the expense of getting them saved.

They were handy though to record any good programs.

Geopelia