Changing channels takes longer than Analog TV.

[Wile_E]

I had Digital TV the last 6 months, but I recently downgraded back to Analog. I don't watch much TV and the price was not worth it for me. What I did notice about Digital, is that it takes longer to flip through channels. I assume this is because the receiver has to acquire the MPEG2 signal and decode a portion of it? Flipping through Analog channels is so much faster, it's unbelievable. Will Digital ever get any faster?

Note: When I flip channels, I usually do at 1 to 2 channels a second. My digital Receiver just couldn't keep up.

[SatStorm]

Basicly, this is an issue of the dvb receivers, not an issue of the DVB transmissions....
Here in Europe, there is a free market of DVB receivers and most channels are FTA. Latest DVB receivers from Topfield, Arion, LG and Humax, do instant channel switching.

[Cole]

Just want to second what Satstorm says. My first Digibox was a Grundig and I the channel changes took an age. Added to that the sensor was placed at a very odd place on the unit, so quite often it wouldn't change channel at all. Tilting the thing forward helped a bit.

I have a Sony now and the channel change is just as good as analogue.

It may be worth mentioning that many Digiboxes update their software on a semi regular basis, so things like channel changing etc should improve as the software gets better.

[lordsmurf]

RAM has some factor here too.

[edDV]

Fast channel changing was the hurdle Microsoft had to get past with VC-1 for broadcast infrastructure switching and set top box use. It seems the goal was reached last NAB from show reports.

HD cable boxes seem to have about a half second delay switching TS streams.

[Darth Paris]

Note: When I flip channels, I usually do at 1 to 2 channels a second. My digital Receiver just couldn't keep up.

I do the same thing. I don't have digital, but whenever I go over to a family members house who does, then it seems soooooo slow. Everyone still says I'm switching to fast to tell whats on, but I can tell if it is crap or not right away.

[frankhad]

I had Digital TV the last 6 months, but I recently downgraded back to Analog. I don't watch much TV and the price was not worth it for me. What I did notice about Digital, is that it takes longer to flip through channels. I assume this is because the receiver has to acquire the MPEG2 signal and decode a portion of it? Flipping through Analog channels is so much faster, it's unbelievable. Will Digital ever get any faster?

Yes it will -- and it has!

I've worked in cable-TV for some 15 years, most recently at Time-Warner in Houston, TX. The first issue of digital converter boxes were painfully slow. This was especially true of Motorola's 2000 and 2200 DCTs. The good news is newer versions of converters have gotten much, much faster. My current Scientific-Atlanta 8400 (DVR) changes ALL channels instantly. And, the on-screen guide is a thousand times better than was that old, antiquated TV-Guide crap.

Due to the high cost of digital converters cable companies don't usually replace old converters with new ones all at one time. They'll bring in a consistent supply and issue them along with the current supply of converters which will be phased out over time. If you ever elect to return to digital cable, speak with Customer Service and tell them of your concerns. There's a possibility your local cable provider already has newer and better models available, or will have in the near future.

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