Don't Panic Yet (Public Unaware Analog TV Will Be Dead On Feb. 17, 2009 Alert)

Multichannel News ^ | 2/17/2007 | Ted Hearn

[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.

[goldstategop]

Note its a Democrat who thinks February 17, 2009 could be an electronic Katrina for the nation. That's the date analog TV will go dark forever. Is the public aware its happening? Good question.

[Cruising Speed]

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.

[DBrow]

We've got to promote the concept that people don't need TV, that it's a timesucking device teh MSM uses to spread dis and misinformation.

Then, on Feb 17, 2009, a great awakening can begin.

[DBrow]

"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.

[Truth29]

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.

[supercat]

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).

[TheSpottedOwl]

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.

[SampleMan]

Buy a converter box.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is about analog vs. digital....not HD vs. non-HD.

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?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

So, now the government wants to force us to buy a new HDTV?

No. Digital does not necessarily mean HD.

[OldFriend]

TV's been dead for a long long time. Except for Brit Hume, of course.

Won't miss it a bit.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Sigh....how much do you figure a converter box would be?

[Pox]

Those converters will be common and likely not too expensive when the deadline finally arrives.

[Don Corleone]

Wouldn't be surprised if there is a gov program to get HD TVs to low-come elderly.

Al Gore will be behind it and the charge will show up on your phone bill....bet on it!

[TheSpottedOwl]

No. Digital does not necessarily mean HD.

Okay, then a newer TV should be able to pick up programs with a dish or cable?

[TheSpottedOwl]

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.

[SampleMan]

I'd wait until the demand picks up (2008), and radio shack will likely have them for around $30.

[Pox]

I have been waiting for years to buy a new TV, primarily because I bought a new one around 10 years ago right around the time they announced the eventual cutoff of analog.

Last month, my old sony trinitron started acting up and I decided since analog was only going to be around for a few more years, I may as well go ahead and buy a new HDTV that I am fortunately able to afford.

Although pricey, I am quite happy now that I have this new HDTV. The difference is impressive, and I am happy I waited this long for the prices to go down and quality to go up. You may find that in 2 years you will have a selection of HDTV's that fall within your budget. Also, it would not surprise me at all to see our government subsidize those who cannot afford a decent HDTV when the cutoff arrives.

[Proud_texan]

Yup, there's a program.

A $40 off coupon, two per household. I'd be surprised if they'd be much more than $40.

[SamAdams76]

Well at least my 8-track tapes and Radio Shack multiband portable radio (with Weather and Police bands!) will keep working.