US analog TV switch-off in 2009

BBC ^ | 2/2/06 | n/a

[Peach]

I'm technologically deficient; what does this mean for the average consumer?

[kenth]

Well, it is important to keep people mindless so Congress can keep doing its thing.

[OB1kNOb]

As long as I can still get the Lone Ranger program on my TV, no problemo.

[sumocide]

$1.5 bn of pork for electronics manufacturers.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

It means that those with out A digital converter will get no TV reception. Most Digital TV is Cable so those without cable are hosed.... either way you are looking at laying out money either to buy a new TV or to buy a converter.

here is a link that covers the tech aspect... pretty good for PBS.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/crashcourse/

[Peach]

Hey, thanks for that information!

[quietolong]

>>> each family will be entitled to $80 <<<<

And Who pays for that.

Why do I need HD to watch crap?

[hophead]

"I'm technologically deficient; what does this mean for the average consumer?"

That means that unless you are one of the protected minorities, you don't get the funds to convert, YOU have to buy your own TVs. If you have 3 or 4 in the house like most of us, you my friend are on your own and SOL.

[Lazamataz]

US analog TV switch-off in 2009

We're all gonna die!!!!

[Cobra64]

The US Congress has approved plans to force broadcasters to switch off their analogue television signals by 2009.

So much for free enterprise, and a free market.

Paging George Orwell.... pick up white courtesy phone.

[Pondman88]

What about those with Dish systems? Does the current box convert?

[RockinRight]

As an electronicophile and videophile, I LOVE HDTV and all that comes with it.

However, I don't think Congress needs to spend $1.5 billion to implement it...

[PAR35]

what does this mean for the average consumer?

1)In less than 3 years, your current TV won't work unless you buy a converter box; even if you do buy a box, your remote control, picture-in-picture (if you have that) and other features that you paid extra for won't work.

2)Don't buy a TV between now and then. In a best case scenario, you'll pay extra now for an analog tuner in it that you won't use after that date; in a worst case scenario, you'll have to buy extra hardware ('digital ready' may or may not mean that it actually has a digital tuner built in). And, if close to the end of the conversion period, you buy a digital only set, you may find that the cut-over date has been moved into the future.

3)You will probably have to get cable or a satellite dish if you don't already have one. The reach of digital signals is not as far as existing signals. (Now, in the suburbs, a weak signal might give you some snow; after conversion, a weak signal will give you a blank screen).

4)Your picture quality probably won't show a noticeable improvement. Digital doesn't necessarily mean high definition. The broadcaster can choose to give you a quality about like what you have now, and split the allocated spectrum to use the rest of it for other income-producing activities.

It's one of the biggest scams that's been put over on the American people this century.

[Peach]

My husband has thought this was a huge scam too and that our conservative Congress is giving us this "gift" is really too much.

[SlowBoat407]

Why do I need HD to watch crap?

HD is different from digital. Digital, in addition to carrying the information in a binary package, leaves room for other information in the bandwidth used to carry the signal, such as data describing the programming.

HD transmission is made possible by digital, but is by now means the only thing digital carries.

[meowmeow]

government help has been pledged for those aged over 75 and with disabilities towards the cost of conversion.

Oh good grief. Since when did entertainment become a basic human right that has to be paid for by my tax dollars??

[RockinRight]

Satellite TV is a totally different animal.

All the converters do is take the digital signal and transform it into either an RF signal (so it can go in thorough the regular coaxial cable input on your TV on Channel 3 or 4 like a VCR), or to an RCA input (the three-part yellow/red/white plug-in cables) or S-video input.

DISH converters already have these inputs, and the satellite transmission to your dish and your box is independent of how the broadcasters give them the signal.

In other words, it's mostly DISH Network and DirecTV's problem. Anyone with cable or satellite will be relatively unaffected except for maybe a rate increase. If you want to actually see the content in true HD format, THEN you'd have to buy a new TV. Otherwise it will only look somewhat sharper, but not truly high-definition on a regular TV set.

[PAR35]

And Who pays for that.

You do. I'd thank you, but I need 4 (one for each set), so I'll be busy picketing The Man.