Back in the day there were limited TV channels - CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS + local: what did VHS & UHS stand for?

Question

one was a smooth dial, the other was, like, *chunk chunk chunk*

Answer 1

It was acutally VHF and UHF. Very high frequency and Ultra high frequency.

Answer 2

Originally back in 1939 there were VHF channels 1 through 13. The government took back channel 1 to use for other things. It was called Very High Frequency because to the vacuum tube technology of the time, they were very high frequencies.

In the late 1940's they decided that more TV channels were needed, so the government came up with UHF channels 14 through 83, the government later took some of the upper channels back to use for other things. It was called Ultra High Frequency because for the vacuum tube technology of the time, it was.

The original VHF only TVs had click type rotary dials, when UHF tuners were added, they actually just down converted the UHF frequencies down to a lower frequency that the old VHF tuners could receive. They just added a 13th position on the VHF dial marked UHF. To get UHF channels, you just selected UHF and then manually tuned the UHF dial till you found the station you wanted. You could also buy external converter boxes that you hooked up between your antenna and your old VHF only TV.

PS: VHS is a standard from the 1970's for a type a VCR tape. Video Cassette Recorder

Answer 3

VHF and UHF.....UHF was smooth, and VHF was the Clunky knob....

VHF was the FIRST Band of TV frequencies, and was used because it could cover VAST areas...But the downside was it didn't do well in cities due to reflections against buildings.

So they came up with UHF channels, these frequencies had MORE Penetrating power, but covered LESS distance, perfect for the concrete jungles out there...

So what do they stand for?
VHF -- Very High Frequency
UHF -- Ultra High Frequency

Answer 4

By the way, VHF and UHF still exist. That is how you get HDTV or SDTV digital pictures for free. Just need a HDTV and an antenna.