# So I suppose everyones portable TVs can be thrown in the trash next month? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 8, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775 "2009-05-08T18:55:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/21 "2009-05-09T15:11:19Z")
I have a [Sony FDL-250T Watchman](http://www.guenthoer.de/bilder-neu/fdl-250-gr.jpg) somewhere. I never really used it that much. Seems a shame it’s ‘no good’. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/22 "2009-05-09T15:55:02Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Well I have a conver box and I still can’t get TV. I live in Chicago 3 miles NW of Sears Tower and I get 16 analog Stations very nice. I get THREE stations (Only WLS-TV comes in constantly) with a converter box. If I use my digital TV with a digital tuner I get ZERO TV stations. > > I only have an indoor antenna so I’ll have to get cable, so as far as I’m concerned there are a lot of other issues, that will have to be addressed. In high density areas like Chicago where building block digital but allow analog to pass through it’s gonna be interesting. The analog signal and the digital signal are the same signal. They carry a different modulation, but are both in the same VHS and UFH frequency bands as existing television signals. Both pass through, or are blocked, by the exact same materials. Analog is more forgiving than digital with marginal signals, but the same amount of broadcast energy is hitting your antenna as before. The main difference is that most of the new channels are UHF rather than VHF. So you might need an antenna with better UHF reception. Message me, and when I’m back in Chicago I can drop by. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/23 "2009-05-09T16:17:13Z")
I’m keeping a few older analog TVs specifically to use with other older video devices. Modern TVs, even with tuners that ostensibly pick up analog NTSC, often don’t play well with 1970s-1980s VCRs, game systems, etc. Pretty important for me, since I’ve got a storage room filled with Atari 2600s, CED players, Commodore 64s, and so on. They’re still pretty handy to me. Many of the old portable/pocket TVs don’t have normal antenna terminals, but have 75 ohm 3.5 mm external antenna jacks; older luggables usually have twin lead antenna terminals. A bit of googling shows cheap coax-to-mini adaptors out there, and 75/300 ohm twin-lead-to-coax adaptors are plentiful, if you’re so inclined to keep a portable out on the patio and might want to hook up a digital convertor (or other newish video device) from time to time. I’ve known a few guys who use pocket TVs with such adaptors to field-test yard sale/flea market video devices. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/24 "2009-05-09T19:10:53Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > I’m not an expert on repeaters, but it seems to me that if they are repeating an analog signal and that signal no longer exists, the repeaters won’t be providing any output signal either. To do so would require an investment in conversion equipment for a declining market. Well, I do know that in Montana we officially changed over back in February but I can still get analog signals on my TV (and no digital ones). Nobody in the state admits to broadcasting analog, but damned if they aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/25 "2009-05-10T01:56:43Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Well I have a conver box and I still can’t get TV. I live in Chicago 3 miles NW of Sears Tower and I get 16 analog Stations very nice. I get THREE stations (Only WLS-TV comes in constantly) with a converter box. If I use my digital TV with a digital tuner I get ZERO TV stations. > > I only have an indoor antenna so I’ll have to get cable, so as far as I’m concerned there are a lot of other issues, that will have to be addressed. In high density areas like Chicago where building block digital but allow analog to pass through it’s gonna be interesting. Are you using a traditional dipole (rabbit ears) antenna? If so, go to Target or Radio Shack (yes, they’re still good for something) and get a bowtie UHF antenna. Should cost somewhere around $2-$6. Plug it in and rescan your stations. I was amazed by the difference between my rabbit ears, my circular UHF and my bowtie UHF antennas. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/26 "2009-05-10T10:28:29Z")
You’ll need to take the television to the recycling center and pay a fee instead of throwing it into the trash. That’s an extra bonus to the government making them useless. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/27 "2009-05-10T17:06:23Z")
So - no more listening to Jeopardy on my kitchen radio? I 'd never thought of that - what a bummer! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/28 "2009-05-10T17:10:06Z")
Is Canada going digital? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/29 "2009-05-10T17:48:00Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > You’ll need to take the television to the recycling center and pay a fee instead of throwing it into the trash. That’s an extra bonus to the government making them useless. This depends on locale. In my area, the garbage service picks up old TVs and CRTs no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/30 "2009-05-10T18:02:17Z")
Toss it in a dumpster, or in someone else’s garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/31 "2009-05-11T03:48:12Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is Canada going digital? Not on any schedule I know of. ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/32 "2009-05-11T05:33:37Z")
\*How well is that converter gonna work when the electricity goes out and we’re using a battery-operated portable TV? \* So, this is essentially a “im too cheap to buy a [UPS](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ups+apc&hl=en&cid=1188217317658000104&sa=title#ps-sellers) for my converterbox” question? \* but I suppose all those little TVs people used in their garages, battery powered sets folks took to summer picnics, and handhelds fans took to ball games can all be thrown in the trash?\* No. Buy a UPS. Or an inverter and connect it to a car battery. _Claire, I think that Hampshire is talking about things like this._ The last time I saw one of those was 10 years ago and the person who owned it was shocked at what replacement batteries cost for it. I dont think the landfill managers of the world are worried about this. These things are already dead. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/33 "2009-05-11T08:45:44Z")
I’m keeping a few of my old TVs, hooked up to my obsolete semi-working VHS players, on the theory that I might want to watch an old tape sometime when the new TV, or the digital system, or something, ain’t working. Of course, I live in “The Big Museum of Worthless Electronic Gizmos” so one more piece drek dudn’t matter that much. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/34 "2009-05-11T08:53:09Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > You’ll need to take the television to the recycling center and pay a fee instead of throwing it into the trash. That’s an extra bonus to the government making them useless. Pretty sure in California they charge you a recycling fee when you _buy_ a TV. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/35 "2009-05-11T12:07:06Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Is Canada going digital? Not until [August 31, 2011](http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/INFO_SHT/BDT14.HTM). So maybe you can still get the Vancouver stations for a couple more years. ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/36 "2009-05-11T12:52:49Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > The hard part is finding a small, battery-powered portable TV that has a digital tuner. Very few out there. Idiots in electronics stores trying to convince me that that I need is dramatically worse quality cell phone video that costs a huge amount of money every month instead of a cheap TV that picks up digital signals from the air. Here’s one: [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2855063](http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2855063) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775/37 "2009-05-11T13:18:46Z")
> [@HorseloverFat](#): > > - > > but I suppose all those little TVs people used in their garages, battery powered sets folks took to summer picnics, and handhelds fans took to ball games can all be thrown in the trash?\* > > No. Buy a UPS. Or an inverter and connect it to a car battery. I’d love to see that. Some guy sitting next to me at the ball game with his handheld 3.5" screen Sony attached to a digital convertor box that is also attached to a UPS.😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-suppose-everyones-portable-tvs-can-be-thrown-in-the-trash-next-month/495775.md?page=1)