digital tv transition '09
01-23-09 | 01:04 PM
#51
DVD Talk Legend
This seems like a generic enough thread title to bump for this bit of news:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/te...nate-dtv_N.htm
Despite the delay in coupons, there's still going to be millions of people who won't do a single thing until they're forced to because their screen is static.
The Senate appeared close to agreement late Thursday on a bill to delay next month's planned transition from analog to digital television broadcasting to June 12 — setting the stage for a vote early next week.
Senate Republicans last week blocked Democratic efforts to push back the Feb. 17 deadline for the analog shutoff. The Democrats cited mounting concerns that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals won't be ready.
The Nielsen Co. said Thursday that more than 6.5 million U.S. households are still not prepared for the upcoming transition and could see their TV sets go dark next month.
"The shameful truth is that we are not poised to do this transition right," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.V., author of the bill to delay the switchover. "We are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong — and leaving consumers with the consequences."
Republicans in both the House and Senate have raised concerns that a delay would confuse consumers, create added costs for television stations that would have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals and burden wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting for spectrum that will be freed up by the switch.
Senate Republicans last week blocked Democratic efforts to push back the Feb. 17 deadline for the analog shutoff. The Democrats cited mounting concerns that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals won't be ready.
The Nielsen Co. said Thursday that more than 6.5 million U.S. households are still not prepared for the upcoming transition and could see their TV sets go dark next month.
"The shameful truth is that we are not poised to do this transition right," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.V., author of the bill to delay the switchover. "We are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong — and leaving consumers with the consequences."
Republicans in both the House and Senate have raised concerns that a delay would confuse consumers, create added costs for television stations that would have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals and burden wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting for spectrum that will be freed up by the switch.
Despite the delay in coupons, there's still going to be millions of people who won't do a single thing until they're forced to because their screen is static.
01-23-09 | 02:00 PM
#56
DVD Talk Hero
Re: digital tv transition '09
Stupid.
01-23-09 | 02:14 PM
#57
DVD Talk Legend
And weekly "are you ready" tests on the local news
And commercials
And....
This is getting to be longer and more annoying than a Presidential campaign.
01-23-09 | 02:33 PM
#58
DVD Talk Legend
Re: digital tv transition '09
Ugh, please, no. Just get it over with. I hope it doesn't pass.
If Congress is so concerned then they should just give the agency more money for the tuner coupons since they ran out weeks ago.
If Congress is so concerned then they should just give the agency more money for the tuner coupons since they ran out weeks ago.
01-23-09 | 02:43 PM
#59
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Re: digital tv transition '09
Yeah I think the main issue is that they underestimated the number of coupons that would be ordered. If anything, seems people are too well-prepared for the switchover.
01-23-09 | 03:03 PM
#61
01-24-09 | 08:17 AM
#62
Re: digital tv transition '09
TV Week has an online poll where you can vote and leave a written explanation of your vote.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?s...5FgHSMQQ_3d_3d
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?s...5FgHSMQQ_3d_3d
01-24-09 | 08:53 AM
#63
DVD Talk Godfather
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From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Re: digital tv transition '09
Good Morning LA on FOX 11 here did a cool thing with this. They did an quick On Air Test of their Digital System and they said that if you're already set up then you'd still see them on air. However if you're not set up then you'll see a screen with a messages letting you know that you're not prepared and what you need to do.
I was at work when this was done and although the TV in my work area is on Direct TV, I still got the "not ready" message.
Either way i thought it was a good way to say HEY! you need to take care of this.
I was at work when this was done and although the TV in my work area is on Direct TV, I still got the "not ready" message.
Either way i thought it was a good way to say HEY! you need to take care of this.
01-24-09 | 09:09 AM
#64
Re: digital tv transition '09
Good Morning LA on FOX 11 here did a cool thing with this. They did an quick On Air Test of their Digital System and they said that if you're already set up then you'd still see them on air. However if you're not set up then you'll see a screen with a messages letting you know that you're not prepared and what you need to do.
I was at work when this was done and although the TV in my work area is on Direct TV, I still got the "not ready" message.
Either way i thought it was a good way to say HEY! you need to take care of this.
I was at work when this was done and although the TV in my work area is on Direct TV, I still got the "not ready" message.
Either way i thought it was a good way to say HEY! you need to take care of this.
Here, all the stations get together for a "Test Tuesday" and have a one minute test, at different times scattered throughout the day each Tuesday.
The digital service has been on for years (in major markets). These "tests" are just sending different material on the analog and digital channels. Those who are ready should be watching the digital all the time, as the quality is better. It is like tossing out your buggy whip after buying a car. No need to wait until Feb. 17.
01-24-09 | 09:13 AM
#65
Re: digital tv transition '09
True, and I have a GREAT solution to propose:
Pass a law FORBIDDING digital transition PSAs on the digital channel and require them to run 24/7 on the analog channel, scrolled across the middle of the screen and minimum height of 50% of the screen height. Annoy the people who NOT ready, don't annoy me, dammit.
01-24-09 | 09:45 AM
#66
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From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Re: digital tv transition '09
So your DirectTV service is using the wrong feed. That's one of things they are trying to identify. Nothing you can do to fix it, but your service has to fix it (soon!).
Here, all the stations get together for a "Test Tuesday" and have a one minute test, at different times scattered throughout the day each Tuesday.
The digital service has been on for years (in major markets). These "tests" are just sending different material on the analog and digital channels. Those who are ready should be watching the digital all the time, as the quality is better. It is like tossing out your buggy whip after buying a car. No need to wait until Feb. 17.
Here, all the stations get together for a "Test Tuesday" and have a one minute test, at different times scattered throughout the day each Tuesday.
The digital service has been on for years (in major markets). These "tests" are just sending different material on the analog and digital channels. Those who are ready should be watching the digital all the time, as the quality is better. It is like tossing out your buggy whip after buying a car. No need to wait until Feb. 17.
01-24-09 | 09:56 AM
#67
Re: digital tv transition '09
Since the cable and satellite companies are advertising a "don't worry, be happy" stance on digital transition, you should:
*Call them in a complete (feigned) panic and state of confusion
*Threaten to get an antenna and converter box, dropping their service, because they are "not ready"
*profit from negotiating a rate reduction.
01-24-09 | 10:00 AM
#68
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From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Re: digital tv transition '09
Since the cable and satellite companies are advertising a "don't worry, be happy" stance on digital transition, you should:
*Call them in a complete (feigned) panic and state of confusion
*Threaten to get an antenna and converter box, dropping their service, because they are "not ready"
*profit from negotiating a rate reduction.
01-24-09 | 01:24 PM
#69
DVD Talk Legend
Re: digital tv transition '09
Has anyone used the set top converters? They are terrible. It really reminds me of the switch from analog cell phones to digital. In that time before they put up cell towers everywhere you went from just static and being able to understand the person to digital bleeps and bloops and general incoherence. Same thing with the TV although I don't see there being an improvement to reception.
I wonder how many people are going to switch to cable and satellite because of this. How much is cable charging nowadays for basic antennae channels?
I wonder how many people are going to switch to cable and satellite because of this. How much is cable charging nowadays for basic antennae channels?
01-24-09 | 01:53 PM
#70
DVD Talk Legend
Re: digital tv transition '09
I have, I have a 27" panasonic tv I have had since 00' or 01' for my bedroom tv, it still works great, no point of getting rid of it yet. I bought the dish network box that had an onscreen porgraming guide, but didn't like it for my bedroom because it didn't have a sleep timer. I gave it to my parents and bought a zenith box from Kmart and it works great. so is this what get now that the Democrats are in control, thinking everyone in America doesn't get it buy now. We have known about the dtv switch for at least two years now.
01-24-09 | 01:57 PM
#71
DVD Talk Legend
Re: digital tv transition '09
I still have two analog tvs with the magnavox set top tuner boxes and I think they work great.
At first, I didn't like them because they would turn themselves off after a few hours, but I found the option in the menu to set it to stay on, which is useful if I want to record something using a -gasp- VCR with a timer.
At first, I didn't like them because they would turn themselves off after a few hours, but I found the option in the menu to set it to stay on, which is useful if I want to record something using a -gasp- VCR with a timer.
01-24-09 | 02:10 PM
#72
Re: digital tv transition '09
I have two HDTV, but I have one old analog TV and VCR for backup. I think it works great on Zentih converter box. The Zenith DTT901 has latest tuner and is VERY solid for reception as far as how it handles multi-path.
On that alone, it is better then either of my HDTVs (although SD instead of HD) and is way better than than watching the snow and ghost festival on analog tv.
Digital is not too forgiving, it either comes in great or terrible, rather than degrading gracefully like analog. You need better antenna, better tuner for multipath or something. If you get it working right, I think you'll be amazed. It is far superior.
On that alone, it is better then either of my HDTVs (although SD instead of HD) and is way better than than watching the snow and ghost festival on analog tv.
Digital is not too forgiving, it either comes in great or terrible, rather than degrading gracefully like analog. You need better antenna, better tuner for multipath or something. If you get it working right, I think you'll be amazed. It is far superior.
01-24-09 | 02:41 PM
#73
DVD Talk Legend
Re: digital tv transition '09
I have a couple of coupons and am going to get some boxes, but I'm disappointed that the coupons only work on really basic converters. It seems the Gov was more interested in setting guidelines on what these things can't do than what they can.
01-24-09 | 03:47 PM
#74
Re: digital tv transition '09
Boxes do have some feature differences on S-video, on/off timers to help VCRs and electronic program guide. But just about anything else is "not allowed."
If you want HD for an HD-ready TV (no ATSC tuner), Digital Dolby, etc, you have to buy a "real" HD box.