The US Senate has agreed to delay the changeover from analog to digital TV by four months, to leave those Americans not yet ready for the switch more time to prepare their homes. The initial changeover was meant to occur on the 17th of February.
The delay comes after The Nielsen Co. announced data showing that some 6.5 million homes in the United States would have been left in the dark, as they're still reliant on analog television. President Obama and Democrats pushed for the delay.
It is estimated that the delay costs public broadcasters about US$22 million.
Yes, there was a fund specifically to help people pay for this transition box through a coupon that people would apply for. That fund is now empty, and "they" worry that many people won't get to watch their TV's because they didn't mail for theirs in time.
Not to mention I have heard nothing but commercials and news broadcasts to be prepared for this for over a year, and was looking forward to the date so I wouldn't have to hear any more about it. Now I have to hear about it for 6 more months (possibly more). Grrrr.
Stop delaying this! This has been in the works for YEARS, YEARS!!!!!!
If people weren't smart enough to transition themselves already with the financial aid, plenty of literature, people to help them, etc, then let their TV's go dark! Maybe they'll wise up and go read a book.
This is a good thing because it will make the changeover happen in warmer weather. Switching to digital is not as simple as hooking up a settop box. In some cases the signal received is marginal, but watchable with analog. When you try to receive the same signal with a digital tuner it is unwatchable. This means some people will need to get up on their roofs to upgrade their antennas. Better to do this in the summer than in the middle of winter. What were they thinking?
Simple, in 1 digital sign wave you can fit a large amounts analog signals. I don't have the exact number. This clears up the airwaves for other broadcast. If you look at the DTV channels now over the air, you will see like 45.1 45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5, all from the same station. I seen people put the box on and go from 10 channels to 25 channels afterward. That is Basic-Basic on some cables services.
Its not that complicated, most new TVs have the DTV receiver build in, and if not you simply buy one for 20€/$. DTV also has the advantage that you get a program guide (EPG). I have switched to DTV 3 years when they did shut it down here, it was no problem at all. Even the Sony PS3 can get DTV in Europe., its called PlayTV.
The reason why we are switching to Digital transmission is that it is a lot easier to manipulate a digital signal than an analog signal. Imagine the ability to insert whatever you want into the signal. In times of war the government could easily insert it's own propaganda into your daily broadcast. Of course that could all just be a bunch of conspiracy nonsense, lol.
When will this world stop When will this world stop bowing down to idiots. $22M because people wont go get a box? Weren't they subsidized at some stage?
I understand what your saying. There are some ignorant people in the world without a doubt. Some by choice sad to say. Some try to hide the fact but show it anyway.
I am a MCSE and run a very successful business I build custom computers and do repairs. I deal with people from all walks of life, some are tech savvy and are quick to catch on while others "MOSTLY ELDERLY" who do not know the difference between a bit and a byte. A high speed connection to them is when the car was invented. I deal with others who buy the best and other who simply can not afford new system. Believe it or not there are people who cannot afford a system at all.
So what I am saying to you is, it does not make a person an idiot because they do not understand the new technology nor does it make them an idiot because even after being subsidized they can't afford the change. That is something you may want to consider before you degrade people.
You dont need a tv to live, so for the people that didnt want to replace their antenas in the snow , they could have done it last summer. For the ones without tv, they will find the money to buy a $50 box, if they want to watch tv. But You can live without your tv.
Idiot may not be the best term to describe me; I fully expect to lose my analog signal (and rabbit ears) when the digital changeover takes place. I timely filed for and received the "change" coupon and intended to use it--only to discover that the certificate only served to knock $20 or so off a $50 box. No bueno.
I watch MAYBE one actual tv show a month--usually a network NBA game--anything else I feel like watching, I'll stream from Hulu, or some other site. The elderly and luddites aside, there is no doubt a healthy subset of those 6.5 million who are in the same or similar position as my own.
I've been sick of seeing "Ready for Digital in xx days?" being played every single day since last year. Now we have to endure that for another 4 months...? Ugh... >.<
I wish they would just get it over with. I'm tired of hearing about it.
6.5 million households (read voters) suddenly unreachable by TV spots for political campaigns.
6.5 million households (read voters) suddenly unreachable by news channels pushing their political agendas.
6.5 million households (read consumers) suddenly no longer the target of TV advertising.
Is there any wonder the Goverment is concerned? I imagine the TV networks are just as concerned. $22M probably isn't much to the public broadcasters and they're probably only trumpeting that cost to squeeze "compensation" out of the Government.
This isn't a Dem. thing either. I'm damn sure that a Rep. president would do exactly the same for the reasons described above.
The discount coupons that was meant to help buy the box was out before the actual product was on sale and they had an expiration date. Once the boxes went out for sale, the coupons already expired! And people who signed out for them couldn't get replacement coupons... including me!
