DTV Transition

[BNaylor]

I don't know if this was good or bad but I see some valid points as to why the DTV transition should take place sooner rather than later and the opposition has good points.

For example there is a company in town hiring people for at least two weeks paying approximately $13.00/hr to help out in the conversion. Better than nothing I guess and it should help some unemployed people for a short while.

No big issue for me. I already have one converter and a big screen HDTV Plasma TV.

Another interesting observation is the House Republicans still have power to do something regardless of the Demo majority.

Source: MSNBC/AP

House defeats bill to delay digital TV transition
Republicans succeeded in scuttling bill to delay analog to digital switch

WASHINGTON - Bucking the Obama administration, House Republicans on Wednesday defeated a bill to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting to June 12 — leaving an estimated 6.5 million U.S. households unprepared for the currently scheduled Feb. 17 switchover.

Link to Article

[VR43000GT]

Make it happen and get with the times. I bought my first LCD HDTV when I was just a freshman in college though so this won't be making a big impact on me.

[ericn1300]

The biggest problem with the analog to digital switch was the sellout by the republicans who raped the citizens with a rigged “auction” that sold the bandwidth to not the highest bidder but to, the highest lobbiest while ignoring public demand for access to the same bandwidth.

“Everyone Wave Goodbye To Outgoing FCC Chief Kevin Martin: Kevin Martin is calling it quits as of inauguration day. The Chairman, who could have served for three more years is quiting.”

http://consumerist.com/5133588/every...f-kevin-martin

“Martin explains that all of his decisions were guided by a belief that "a robust, competitive marketplace, not regulation, is ultimately the best protector of the public interest”

Right. No regulation. Worked well for us in avoiding the meltdown of AIG, Citi Group, Enron, Worldcom, Bear Stearns, and others. Lets go for it again. Couldn't get much worse? Oh yes it will.

[HotZ28]

Let it happen on schedule, it really has no effect on anyone, except free-air users. Just to help clarify for those who may not understand what the change to DTV means. If you have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air television programming (with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering.

Next, a digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV to watch over-the-air digital broadcasts. You do not need to get rid of your existing analog TV! In addition, analog sets should continue to work as before if connected to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV. Also, analog sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products that you use now.

It is important to remember that the DTV transition is a transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. It is not a transition from analog broadcasting to High Definition broadcasting. Digital broadcasting allows for High Definition broadcasts, but High Definition is not required, and you do not need to buy a HDTV to watch digital TV. A Standard Definition DTV (which is simply a TV with an internal digital tuner), or a digital-to-analog converter box hooked to an analog TV, is all that is required to continue watching over-the-air broadcast television.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Let it happen on schedule, it really has no effect on anyone, except free-air users. Just to help clarify for those who may not understand what the change to DTV means...............

Good post and nice write up Bo.

Originally Posted by ericn1300

Everyone Wave Goodbye To Outgoing FCC Chief Kevin Martin

Maybe he made the right decision to get off the train before the wreck occurs in the near future. ......


On the flip side.

Source:intomobile.com

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin resigns

For the past eight years, Kevin Martin has been working with the FCC to shape US wireless policy. In that time, he has butted heads with all sides of the wireless industry. Today, the Federal Communications Commission Chairman resigned his post as the head of one of the tech industry’s most influential regulatory firms.

For the better part of this decade, FCC Chairman Martin has lead the FCC through policy-changes that has opened up new spectrum for national wireless networks. The Advanced Wireless Spectrum-1 auction netted the FCC a cool $13.7 billion, while the more recent 700Mhz spectrum auction moved an impressive $19.4 billion into government coffers, all under Martin’s watch. Martin fought to open up the analog-TV white-spaces spectrum for use as an open and unlicensed spectrum, setting the stage for free-market wireless networks of the future.

Link to Article

['97ventureowner]

Too much time and money have already been invested in the 2/17/09 switchover date to change it. The rest of the population who is ready should not have to wait for the stragglers to catch up. All of the stations in my area have done stories on the news complete with shutting off their analog signal for a brief time to let those that may not be sure if they need a box. I got my coupons last year at this time and went out and got my boxes right away.
My only issue, I guess if you want to call it one is the date planned for the switchover is in February, the dead of winter. For those that didn't deal with any antenna issues earlier, are now stuck having to work outside (in many cases) in this nasty weather that much if the country is experiencing. When I first heard of the date , I thought,"Couldn't they have planned it for a ,more warmer time , say , April?"
One issue I keep seeing in the advertisements that is in error is those with satellite subscriptions do not need to do anything. WRONG. It should say "...those that have a satellite tv subscription AND get their local tv stations through the satellite do not need to do anything." I have Directv and our area finally got local stations through the satellite only a few years ago. At that time you needed to install another dish and pay an additional monthly fee. At that time, I was using a rooftop antennae and got good reception of my locals so I opted not to go that route, as did many others. Now we will need a box come 2/17.
Another good site for assistance with the changeover is http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx . This site is good for maximizing your reception, especially for us living in rural areas away from the tv towers. It helps you to select the proper antenna to go with your DTV box, as the antenna is another important part of good digital reception.

['97ventureowner]

Looks like there will be another attempt to delay the date:http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...tory?track=rss

"The likelihood is we'll come back next week" and pass it, said Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), chairman of the House telecommunications subcommittee. But Democratic and Republican policy retreats could complicate the attempts to get another vote next week.

A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said she was looking for a way to hold another vote soon."

[BNaylor]

It really makes no difference to me. If there is valid justification for the delay then so let it be. Lack of funding for the $40 discount cards could be valid since the government should help subsidize costs incurred like for the converter unit. Other than the estimated 6.5 million U.S. households according to that questionable Nielsen report that may use antennas only the rest of the country is ready to move on. What will be typical is when the new deadline comes up in June it will probably be delayed. America is a society of procrastinators therefore there will be similar complaints.

The Senate already approved their version due to compromises. TV stations will be allowed to go all digital earlier regardless.

Source: MSNBC/AP

WASHINGTON - Congress appears poised to grant a four-month delay in the upcoming shutdown of analog TV broadcasts, though broadcasters still will be allowed to go all-digital earlier if they want.

Jonathan Collegio, vice president for the digital television transition for the National Association of Broadcasters, argues that the Nielsen numbers may overstate the number of viewers who are not ready for the digital transition. He noted that the numbers exclude consumers who have already purchased a converter box but not yet installed it, as well as those who have requested coupons but not yet received them.

Link to Article

[CL8]

According to what was in the 2005 bill, (below) it looks to me like Just another effort of big brother government to take away individual freeedoms and have more power.

Right now I have neither a digital T.V., nor a converter, and frankly, what is on T.V. now is so close to worthless that I am sure I won't miss a thing if I have no Television then.

However those Station owners know that too many people like me will cut their viewership and money for advertising.

I'm sure thats the whole idea behind those bogus coverter box "coupons",
just another form of the so-called "stimulus" package.

People are so duped by what the government gives them, they don't see their own freedoms being ripped away right in front of them, let alone their own dignity.

Let people purchase their own TVs and converter boxes, or let them do more important things with their lives than sit around watching T.V.!



http://www.mailarchive.ca/lists/comp...6-02/0158.html

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by CL8

I'm sure thats the whole idea behind those bogus coverter box "coupons",
just another form of the so-called "stimulus" package.

How so? This was, according to the link you provided, signed by then President Bush on 2/8/06 far earlier than any current stimulus package in legislation.

Let people purchase their own TVs and converter boxes, or let them do more important things with their lives than sit around watching T.V.!

I don't know about you but I welcome a coupon to pay only $9.00 for my converter boxes. Why should you have to pay full price,( albeit probably a higher price because of the coupon) when there is a way to lessen the burden. Besides you have a choice of what converter box or tv to buy. Government isn't telling you which one you need to purchase. And what about the people who have very little choice and tv is important in their lives (i.e. senior citizens, shut ins, etc.) Should we deny them the freedom to watch tv?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

I don't know about you but I welcome a coupon to pay only $9.00 for my converter boxes. Why should you have to pay full price,( albeit probably a higher price because of the coupon) when there is a way to lessen the burden. Besides you have a choice of what converter box or tv to buy. Government isn't telling you which one you need to purchase. And what about the people who have very little choice and tv is important in their lives (i.e. senior citizens, shut ins, etc.) Should we deny them the freedom to watch tv?

The money was allocated way before the financial melt down and really has nothing to do with the stimulus packages. There is no question DTV technology is superior and an advancement in technology.

If you are a taxpayer you are just getting your money back anyways. The typical converter at places like Walmart will cost around $50. So you'll only have to shell out about $10 of your own funds. Just look at it like it is a discount coupon, nothing more or nothing less. Both my mother and mother in law are retired senior citizens on fixed incomes and the discount sure helped them out. They don't watch much TV and can't afford cable or satellite but the antenna TV still comes in handy for the news and in case there is any national or local emergencies or disaster situations.

I noted there were a lot of interesting features when I setup the converters for them.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

.

I noted there were a lot of interesting features when I setup the converters for them.

A lot of people in my area are discovering that they end up getting more channels with the converter boxes that DTV affords over analog. Our local ABC affiliate now has 4 stations off the main one that used to be analog. They use the extra 3 stations , one runs the local news (rebroadcast) at other times of the day, making it convenient for some, they also have been broadcasting a high profile murder case testimony from our local county courthouse. Another "branch" of the original station broadcasts a Doppler radar,and another one has another DIY type network. Our local PBS also has 4 branches and one of the branches broadcasts old B&W movies 24 hrs a day. Some of the low power stations like CW network and WB are broadcast on other "branches" as they are owned by the local NBC affiliate, and have agreements. So for those who do watch tv, a simple $10 converter box can open a new world of stations they were unable to get without a paid subscription to a cable or satellite service.

[CL8]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

How so? This was, according to the link you provided, signed by then President Bush on 2/8/06 far earlier than any current stimulus package in legislation.

All that stimlus package is, is money that the government doesn't have, they have borrowed and essentially stolen from future generations, and alloted to people/businesses who won't take financial responsibitity for themselves. (I'm so glad no Republicans voted for it)
The Converter coupons are the same type of program, only set up ealier.

I don't know about you but I welcome a coupon to pay only $9.00 for my converter boxes. Why should you have to pay full price,( albeit probably a higher price because of the coupon) when there is a way to lessen the burden. Besides you have a choice of what converter box or tv to buy. Government isn't telling you which one you need to purchase. And what about the people who have very little choice and tv is important in their lives (i.e. senior citizens, shut ins, etc.) Should we deny them the freedom to watch tv?

Ventureowner, would you please give me $40.00 to buy a converter box, because I don't have the money to buy one, and am too lazy and irresponsible to earn the money to buy one?

That is really whats going on here with these coupons and stimulus program!

[CL8]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

A lot of people in my area are discovering that they end up getting more channels with the converter boxes that DTV affords over analog. Our local ABC affiliate now has 4 stations off the main one that used to be analog. They use the extra 3 stations , one runs the local news (rebroadcast) at other times of the day, making it convenient for some, they also have been broadcasting a high profile murder case testimony from our local county courthouse. Another "branch" of the original station broadcasts a Doppler radar,and another one has another DIY type network. Our local PBS also has 4 branches and one of the branches broadcasts old B&W movies 24 hrs a day. Some of the low power stations like CW network and WB are broadcast on other "branches" as they are owned by the local NBC affiliate, and have agreements. So for those who do watch tv, a simple $10 converter box can open a new world of stations they were unable to get without a paid subscription to a cable or satellite service.

That sounds like a good deal!
Let each person/family buy their own digital TV/converter with their own money, or ask a friend or relative to get it for them for birthday or Christmas.

And really, for those without a lot of money, the Converter IS the discounted way to go, instead of costing hundreds or thousands of $ for the digital TV, it's only $50.00 for the converter. Sounds reasonable to me.

Again, follow the money trail. The stations and advertisers don't want to lose money through less viewers, so they convinced the government to pay for people to covert, rather than waiting for them to do it on their own like they should.

PURE GREED!!!

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by CL8

All that stimlus package is, is money that the government doesn't have, they have borrowed and essentially stolen from future generations, and alloted to people/businesses who won't take financial responsibitity for themselves. (I'm so glad no Republicans voted for it)
The Converter coupons are the same type of program, only set up ealier.

The word "stimulus" has really taken hold in the English language lately started by then President G.W.Bush's stimulus check program in 2008. Now it seems everybody wants to label any type of help as stimumlus : The fact that the DTV program was started in 2005 with the introduction of the bill does not constitute a stimulus program. Money was made available (although not enough it seems) to provide coupons for anybody who needed them to purchase the boxes needed for the transition. It's along the same lines as the Sunday manufacturer coupon supplements that appear in the newspaper. Should we be calling those stimulus' to buy cereal, coffee, frozen bagels, etc. instead of coupons?

Ventureowner, would you please give me $40.00 to buy a converter box, because I don't have the money to buy one, and am too lazy and irresponsible to earn the money to buy one?

Why should i give you $40 to buy a converter box when you can get them for as little as $9.99? You had enough time and warning to request your very own coupon to get your own box and enough time to save $10 to buy your own. Don't have the money to buy one? How about you forgo eating out one night or not go to a movie, and you'll have enough enough saved to get one. It's not rocket science "Too lazy or irresponsible "to get one? Too bad.

Originally Posted by CL8

That sounds like a good deal!
Let each person/family buy their own digital TV/converter with their own money, or ask a friend or relative to get it for them for birthday or Christmas.

And really, for those without a lot of money, the Converter IS the discounted way to go, instead of costing hundreds or thousands of $ for the digital TV, it's only $50.00 for the converter. Sounds reasonable to me.

As previously stated, it doesn't have to cost $50 for a box. with proper planning,( you had enough forewarning that this was going to happen on 2/17/09)you could have requested, received and purchased your own box and be ready. Again, if people don't want to participate in this, it is their right. It's like buying a VCR or DVD to watch movies. It was a personal decision. If they wanted to view the movies, then they would have to buy their own player. And stores even offered discounts, coupons and rebates for consumers to buy those items too! Should they be faulted as well? Should that be considered a "stimulus-type " program by the stores too?
The converter boxes are basically the next step in technology. Like when tv replaced the radio as a main source of entertainment, then color tv replaced B&W. Another analogy was when radial tires replaces bias-ply tires. Something comes along that is a better technology and in order to get people to be convinced and take advantage, sometimes they need an incentive to do so, as that may be the only way we can get ahead.