Posted on 02/18/2007 12:26:45 PM PST by goldstategop
When that winter Tuesday arrives, just 16 days after the Super Bowl and 28 days after the next presidential inauguration, each full-power TV station in the land will need to turn off its traditional analog signal and send all programs over the air as digits.
Analog TV sets can’t translate digital signals. Without the proper equipment to convert those digits back into wave-like analog signals, 73 million analog TVs dispersed among 109 million U.S. TV households, including cable and satellite TV homes, are expected to go dark.
If millions of consumers find they suddenly can’t watch TV because of this government fiat, they are not expected to receive the news with polite calm.
“If we don’t get this right, we could face a tsunami of public outrage,” Federal Communications Commission Democrat Jonathan Adelstein has warned.
(Excerpt) Read more at multichannel.com ...
Well, I think quite a few people are aware. I sell used TVs at estate sales and the it is getting harder to sell non-HD TVs. Of course, many people are not aware and that will probably still be the case in '09. Expect accusations of gouging by retailers in the ensuing rush. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a gov program to get HD TVs to low-come elderly.
"Wouldn't be surprised if there is a gov program to get HD TV"
I think there is a plan to give converter boxes to the low income groups, and discount them to others.
This only applies to those who receive their analog signal by broadcast. If you are receiving an analog signal from a cable service, it will continue unless the cable service elects to discontinue t.
What exactly is the RF bandwidth needed for? Higher frequencies can carry a lot more data than the VHF/UHF bands; the only advantage I know of for the latter is their longer range. While this longer range is useful for broadcasting, I don't see it as being particularly useful for most types of communication (which are much better served using shorter-range signals and repeaters).
We've been looking off and on for a good deal on a used TV, since the one we have is having problems with the picture tube.
So, now the government wants to force us to buy a new HDTV? We don't go anywhere, no movies etc, and so TV is our entertainment(if you can call wrestling entertainment), and the local weather report, besides FNC and TV Food Network. We have a dish because there is no TV reception where we are.
We cannot afford a brand new TV set, and I resent the hell out of this BS.
Buy a converter box.
The only people really affected by this will be those who receive their TV broadcasts via an antenna on the roof.
All cable service is currently digital in nature is it not?
No. Digital does not necessarily mean HD.
Won't miss it a bit.
Sigh....how much do you figure a converter box would be?
Those converters will be common and likely not too expensive when the deadline finally arrives.
Al Gore will be behind it and the charge will show up on your phone bill....bet on it!
Okay, then a newer TV should be able to pick up programs with a dish or cable?
I hope they aren't too expensive. 2009 is a long way away, and maybe we won't have to worry about picking one up.
I'd wait until the demand picks up (2008), and radio shack will likely have them for around $30.
A $40 off coupon, two per household. I'd be surprised if they'd be much more than $40.
Well at least my 8-track tapes and Radio Shack multiband portable radio (with Weather and Police bands!) will keep working.
I would think so. Even an older set should be able to with the proper box in the path.
I plan on calling my cable co. when I get home to find out.
I currently have digital Comcast utilizing a set top box with a DVR. This is being viewed on a 7 year old 27" Magnavox TV. I know this setup will not be affected by the loss of analog signal. The only thing I'm not sure about is the other 3 sets I have in the house that get the cable feed without the use of any box at all. I suspect that they will go dark without a converter.
As for dish style TV...I do not know for sure, except to say that a box is required to process the signal received by the dish...and that must convert the signal. How could it not? Only your dish service provider knows for sure. Give them a call.
What's is "TV"?
DIsh and cable will work on old analog sets just fine. Your local air antenna broadcasts are the only ones affected. To get your local on air weather news sports, you will need a digital box.
In other words, no more free TV - I will have to pay money to watch this stuff. Ugh.
There wasn't anything on it except commiecrat campaign broadcasts anyway. The only time i turn on my tv is to play video games anyway. I watch all my movies and cartoons on my computer.
It's like radio -- but with pictures on the dial!
Eh, I like the Simpsons. Sometimes I'll try to watch something on VHF, but I need to tie the rabbit ears with string to even get a picture that syncs properly.
Hopefully the Simpsons wont ruin their way out of a standing contract. The last season has been mostly political hate towards conservatives. Why offend half your target audience? Obvious some of the writers are suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome. They think insulting our country, armed forces, and president are all around knee slappers. They are wrong.
Guess this 1980's Zenith TV will still function...I have Comcast cable.
Actually, some time ago I went 8 years without watching TV...didn't even have one in the house all that time and didn't miss it. Life was peaceful.
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