Obama urges laggards get ready for digital TV

[KrazyHorse]

It's a very pro-business change

It's a pro-everybody change. And the freed-up bandwidth was sold via auction, the best possible outcome.

Canada made ~5 billion auctioning similar portions of the spectrum, and I imagine that the rule of 10 probably applies here, so "GW's" plan netted each and every one of you Yanks 160$ AND the likelihood of innovative new services becoming available using this new bandwidth.

Bandwidth efficiency is a GOOD THING.

[DaShi]

Sloww, it's because Obama is a terrible president. Happy now?

[DinoDoc]

Since it's actually going to happen this time, it's worth having a thread.

I was under that impression the 1st time.

[-Jrabbit]

Delaying the orignal January date was a stupid and pathetic reaction to some shrieking panic-peddlars. The number of people who will be denied service will still be significant.

A buddy of mine is planning to watch the end of analog next Friday, videotaping for posterity. Then he's going to launch the TV off the roof of his apartment building.

[KrazyHorse]

[SlowwHand]

Sloww, it's because Obama is a terrible president. Happy now?

Can you not read, you idiot ass?

[DaShi]

Sloww, you're so funny. But it's killing you.

[SlowwHand]

No, I'm not! To either!

[SlowwHand]

dp, because I'm upset.

[-Jrabbit]

Government Braces for Problems with DTV Switch

June 10, 2009 - The government is bracing for "significant problems" when the U.S. switches to digital TV on Friday, acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps says.

Consumers fiddling with antennas and converter boxes, which must be rescanned post-switch, will account for most problems. "There're going to be some angry consumers," Copps says. The switch to digital TV, or DTV, will start at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday. At that time, 974 full-power stations that cover major markets such as New York and Los Angeles will start shutting down analog signals. The transition is expected to be done by midnight.

More than 780 stations in smaller markets have already made the switch. Antennas and scanning have been consistent trouble spots.

About 3 million over-the-air homes won't be ready, Nielsen predicts. Digital, satellite and cable TV customers won't be affected. About 20 million households receive TV signals exclusively over the air, the National Association of Broadcasters says.

The number of affected homes would have been much higher -- at least 6 million, Copps guesses -- if Congress hadn't pushed back the switch by four months. "The delay gave us the opportunity to roll up our sleeves" and tackle a host of issues, he says.

Lawmakers delayed the switch from February to June when it became apparent that the government and the public weren't prepared.

Another 13 million homes are expected to be only partially ready, says the FCC, citing Nielsen data. That means at least one TV in the home -- say, in a guest room or garage -- won't be prepared.

Copps says many of these secondary TVs are used infrequently -- for movies, gaming and such -- or just sit idle. Some may never be transitioned.

To continue receiving signals on Friday, TVs must be hooked up to a converter box that turns digital signals into analog. The government is offering $40 coupons -- two per household -- to offset the cost.

The FCC has contracted with vendors across the country for help with in-home installation services. The service is free, but consumers must supply their own converter box and antennas. Other tips:

*Don't forget to check antennas, which may need to be adjusted or even moved to a new location. To make sure you're getting all channels, rescan converter boxes.

*For more information, go to www.dtv.gov or call the FCC at 888-CALL-FCC.

FYI

[Dis]

my brother said he has been trouble getting a good signal with the new digital converter box. I think you almost need an outdoor antenna (vs. rabbit ears).

I was under the impression like digital radio stations- the signal is weaker. Is this true?

[Asher]

Who cares. Get cable or pirate.

[DanS]

Obama doesn't need to be involved in this or in tire inflation pressures. He's the kind of busybody who would make Chavez proud.

HD digital TV has been broadcast for almost a decade now. It's good. It works better than analog TV. It's a bigger jump than from black-and-white to color. And it allows for cool stuff like free internet over white spaces.

[Dis]

Who cares. Get cable or pirate.

don't watch tv (see above). and I don't like to steal.

[Asher]

I don't see why he shouldn't be involved. It's a major government issue affecting a significant portion of the population. He can talk about it if he wants.

Republicans need to find something else to ***** about. They're busybodies that would make Hitler proud.