Portable radios With DIGITAL TV Audio Bands Available?
I have a Zenith AM/FM/TV/Weather Radio that I have enjoyed (mostly for its ability to pick up VHF channels 2-13) for years, which I assume will become obsolete (at least the TV band) in February ‘09. It’s on its last legs, but I can’t see getting a new one (I AM right in my assumption that the VHF band on it will become non-functional, aren’t I?) Therefore, my question is twofold: 1) will anyone be (able to be) making portable radios with digital TV sound, and if so, 2) are there actually any on the market right now?
>I AM right in my assumption that the VHF band on it will become non-functional, aren’t I?
Yes, unless you happen to live within range of any remaining analog stations (translator, low power, Mexico & Canada).
>2) are there actually any on the market right now?
No.
>will anyone be (able to be) making portable radios with digital TV sound
It’s possible to do this but they would have to add most of the parts that are in a converter box to do it. I doubt if there will be much of a market for them at the price they would have to charge.
By comparison, it costs very little to add analog VHF TV sound to an FM radio because analog TV sound is sent by FM.
>I AM right in my assumption that the VHF band on it will become non-functional, aren’t I?
Yes, unless you happen to live within range of any remaining analog stations (translator, low power, Mexico & Canada).
>2) are there actually any on the market right now?
No.
>will anyone be (able to be) making portable radios with digital TV sound
It’s possible to do this but they would have to add most of the parts that are in a converter box to do it. I doubt if there will be much of a market for them at the price they would have to charge.
By comparison, it costs very little to add analog VHF TV sound to an FM radio because analog TV sound is sent by FM.
References :