Should the DTV transition be delayed?

News.com Poll

DTV decisions
Should the DTV transition be delayed?

Yes: We need at least four more months to properly prepare.
No: The original Feb. 17 deadline offered more than enough time; delays will only add to confusion.

View results

UPDATE (February 4, 2009): Both houses of Congress have now passed identical versions of a revised DTV bill that President Obama is expected to sign into law. However, it appears that the law will still allow analog stations to shut down starting February 17. See CNET News for more information.

The future of the DTV transition is still uncertain, and Wednesday the House of Representatives is set to vote on the latest bill to delay the transition from February 17 to June 12.

That sounds simple enough, but the reality is still pretty muddled. For one, the delay is still voluntary, which means it's possible that TV stations will turn off analog signals anytime between February 17 and June 12. (Some representatives dispute how voluntary the delay actually is.) Early switchovers seem likely if it's true that just running the analog transmitters will cost stations tens of thousands of dollars.

Probably the biggest reason for the delay is that the government-subsidized DTV coupon program is essentially out of money, so anyone without a coupon (or with an expired coupon) will have to shell out their own money if they don't already have a converter box. While the new DTV bill will end the expiration dates on DTV coupons, funding for that bill is dependent on the economic stimulus program passing--another uncertainty. If the DTV delay passes, but the stimulus program doesn't, it's unclear if new coupons will issued.

With all those issues in mind, we put the question to you: should the DTV transition be delayed?

Be sure to vote in the poll and discuss the details in the comments section below.

Related content:
CNET's quick guide to the DTV transition
Which DTV converter box should I buy?

[dracoaffectus]

No, the DTV transition should not be delayed. People have had more than enough time to prepare for the transition, and those that are not prepared can be caught up after the transition occurs.

Delaying the transition would only encourage further procrastination on the part of the people who have already had over a year to prepare. At the same time, the delay would only hurt the stations that would have to continue broadcasting analog signal for an extra 4 months, and the companies that bought those frequencies from the FCC who expect to be able to use those frequencies to provide new services starting Feb 17. Any delay seems completely unnecessary, and I guarantee that if the delay happens, there will still be millions of americans "unprepared" when June 12 rolls around.

[sobishop]

I look at it this way. If you don't have cable, satellite, or internet because you don't want to pay for it or because it is not available where you live, then chances are your not that big on TV anyways. I am sure the majority of people who haven't purchased a converter box or a digital tv aren't going to unless it is given to them. Let technology move forward so we can start enjoying local satellite channels in crisp HD instead of it looking like every show is in some kind of sandstorm.

[galeso]

They could have phased in the transition. Make one state go first and watch for problems, then 5 states, then the rest. Too late now, switch and if there are too many problems switch back. Otherwise dracoaffectus is right, there will always be someone that is not ready.

[h2cdcpls]

I have no problem with the switch over except they need to boost the power on the digital signal. I have no problem currently receiving 8 analog signals, but when i connect the converter box i only end up receiving 2 digital signals, I can not afford to purchase new antenna equipment that most experts have recommended at the cost of close to $650 for installation and parts.

[Alfred Poor]

The delay will cost the taxpayers, broadcasters, and other companies millions of dollars, with little to be gained because millions of households will still be unprepared four months from now. The delay is a waste of money that we cannot afford, now more than ever. It will take no more effort to clean up the problems after the transition than it will if we try to do it before the transtion. The delay is a bad idea.

Alfred Poor
HDTV Almanac

[Perry_Clease]

What is the "real reason" for this transition to DTV?

[ddhboy]

The government wants to free up the space and sell it off, and internet/computer companies like Microsoft and Google want to buy the space and sell it as wireless broadband. Cellphone companies and ISPs want to kill that idea and TV and Radio companies are ******** that it might interfere with their signals.

[brief]

What do you think it is?

[maniacpontiac]

The real reason for the transition is to defraud and scam everybody and make them send money when the economy is in ruins and when jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate. I'm sure that this whole digital thing is a conspiracy and will result in the rich becoming richer. Personally I think digital should be eliminated and all the analog things we had 30 years ago should be brought back and re implemented. After all, Bill Gates and all those scumbag executives don't need any more!!!!

[demon824]

^ guy above, no offense but you sound like an idiot. It is to clear out a spectrum for new technologies. It also will allow t.v stations to expand their services with things like "enhanced closed captioning, better pictures and sound, and offer several channels of programming at the same time, known as "multicasting."

[Perry_Clease]

"What do you think it is?"

Well I wear a tin foil hat 24/7 and I have a suspicion that a big part of it has to do with DMCA and keeping programming from being repurposed by the "view/recorder."

[sanenazok]

The real reason is the reptilians want to take over your brain. Hmmm brains yum.

[make_or_break]

To drag otherwise bloated, fat and lazy, content-to-milk-the-old-way media corporations out of the 1900s. Or to protect otherwise decent folk from polluting their minds with all that thru-air, freebie one-eyed boob tube garbage...and Katie Couric.

[why do i need a name?]

The "real reason" for this is that when the broadcasters came to the government to do the transition to a digital TV infrastructure, they wanted to grab a whole lot of new spectrum to run the signals. If you remember way back, they not only wanted the new spectrum for DTV but also wanted the old spectrum to do whatever they wanted with it.

Other people screamed that this was a massive give-away to the broadcasters. Congress, like they always do, got involved. They required that the broadcasters abandon their old spectrum in exchange for the new spectrum and gave them a date by which they had to cut over. That is this month. Of course,Congress saw $$$ both in lobbying money as well as money for the auction of the spectrum, so they weren't going to let go of that.

But then the "we are a victim" crowd started whining and complaining that people with over-the-air reception were going to have to shell out big bucks to buy new TV's so they invented this silly coupon program. What, the converter boxes are $49.99? Get over it.

The whole thing is another example of how inefficient the government is at doing things. This, in an area where they a MUST be involved in managing the spectrum as a public good. And to think that others want this kind of efficiency in almost every other private industry in the country. unbelievable!

[kaibelf]

There's also the fact that it uses less power, is cheaper to maintain, and more efficient. It's been relying on old, inefficient technology forever, and the change need to happen to open spectrum and also provide the services that have been long possible.

As for the original question about the delay, it's ridiculous to push the burden onto everyone else at this point. It's been 10 friggin years that this has been in process. Are we supposed to wait indefinitely so that the "poor, elderly, and non-English speaking" are coddled forever? Running dual equipment costs money, which then is passed into advertisers, which is then passed onto products. If some of these people would skip 1 single carton of their Marlboros for a converter box, we'd all be better off.

[sanenazok]

It would take politicians to think that a delay of this decade-old deadline is a good idea. The reasons for the delay are weak. The coupon program was known to have limited funds right from the start. Never was it suggested that everyone who wants a coupon was going to get one: it was always going to be first-come, first-served. On the balance is our safety and ability to leverage the frequencies *wasted* by analog broadcasts.

If any station plans on delaying the DTV transition, they should at least limit the transition ads to analog broadcasts. Enough already!

[achernow]

Absolutely not. I work in TV and it's not the stations that will get hurt, but those of us behind the scenes who will, most likely, be the first to be dumped to cover the additional expense of analog.

[fugawe]

No! it will be just as painful, if not more, to delay, or partially delay the transition. Just fund the coupons and deal with it.

[mjconver]

No. My 88-year old mother-in-law knows about it, if people haven't heard about it yet, they don't deserve to be watching TV.

[krisofthewhocarespeople]

You're right, mj, I've been punished long enough! No more TV for me. Guess I'll have to go to my bed without supper and read a friggin book.

[jug831]

I too think that the transition should not be delayed. There has been plenty of warning and assistance available to people. And as another poster pointed out, even when the new date arrives some people will still not be ready.

However, this unofficial 'poll' would not be a real representation of who thinks what. People that visit this site or even surf the internet are most likely ready to go. It is those folks out in rural areas and the elderly that seem to be not ready. No offense to either or those groups.

[john55440]

Want to install or adjust an antenna on a roof that is covered in ice or snow? The original transition date should never have been in winter.

Some people had their coupons expire because of converter box stockouts at retailers. That's obviously not their fault.

My understanding (?) is that on DTV Day, some broadcasters will "tweak" their DTV broadcast signals. Will that mean additional antenna adjustments?

[martin_c_e]

My antenna did not need adjusting, Many stations are moving back to their original frequencies (analog channel) and most likely no adjustments will be necessary.

[sanenazok]

Regarding the roof comment: sounds like you should have gotten your DTV box in June and then you could have tweaked the old antenna or sold lemonade or whatever. There's no pleasing some people. They picked a good time, since it took them a DECADE to do it. If the date was in the summer everyone would be complaining that they can't get the box since they're on vacation. If the date was before Christmas everyone would complain that it's eating into their presents budget. If the date was in November the networks would complain about sweeps. If the date was in Jan. the football fans would complain. If the date was....

[ralfthedog]

Better to do it in the winter than tornado season. TV is the best way to know who's house is about to get wiped out by 318 MPH winds. When you live in a town that gets wiped out on a regular basis, you learn to use every source of information you can.

[zonfor]

I got my converter boxes and two new digital TV's this summer. I installed a 40ft tower, put my brand new antenna on the top and wired everything up. Its called planning ahead. Its not like we have not been bombarded with commercials warning of this transition! The broadcasters and the companies that bought into this soon to be available spectrum should not be punished for the general populations lack of planning! We all know the date and have known about it for a long time. Its not a secret!

The coupons expired in 90 days. Replacement coupons could have been ordered several times. Expiring coupons is a very lame excuse! If it was not important enough for some to get their box in a timely fashion then obviously tv is not that important to them. The transition should not be held up!

From someone who has friends in the broadcast industry and who works for a company that bought into the new spectrum....

[jbcahill]

No don't delay the switchover. More importantly....why the hell is the government...make that TAX PAYER on the hook for buying these converter boxes for people? It's your damn tv, if you want to be able to watch it after the switchover go buy your own frakken converter box.

[sanenazok]

Government NOT handing people out money is so 1900's. Get with the welfare state program man! Modernize, contemporize, sign up for free money from uncle Sam.

[ralfthedog]

The FCC is getting lots of money from the spectrum that is being freed up. Giving a few dollars of it back to the lower income is not a bad thing.

[sanenazok]

@ralfthedog: except the coupon program ISN'T for low income people. It's for people smart enough to ask for government money, which in general isn't the barely literate.

[kevsmail]

Don't delay any longer! If people haven't gotten the clue yet after 2 years that his is coming, plus all the banner ads across local broadcasts during primetime, plus all the commercials, plus even Oprah doing PSAs... then they are never gonna get it until their TV is blank on Feb 17th.

I don't feel sorry for people who haven't gotten their coupons yet either, the advertising for those has been insane. Besides, it's only $40, about the cost of a decent dinner out for 2... or less $ than most peeps probably blew on beer and chips for the Superbowl.

[ralfthedog]

I am not looking forward to the new banners. "If you can't see this message, you need a converter box."

[does.tv]

The 'tweaking' is that some stations move from a temporary antenna to their permanent antenna and then most will move from their temporary digital channel to their permanent channel. Oh - on Feb 18th don't forget to do a rescan on your HD receivers as the channels will change!

I have an $18,000+ piece of scrap after the transition sitting on top of a 2000 foot tower I have to deal with after this ordeal. Not to mention about $125,000 worth of transmission line from my building up to the top. How'd ya like to have to deal with that compared to a $75 rooftop antenna... The transition date? Can you say "Super Bowl" and "March Madness"?? That determined the date.

I work broadcasting and this possible delay is causing havoc in the stations. After 10 years of planning and forced spending by government decree, and a 2 year fixed date - if the 5% of the country that didn't get off their butts didn't get a coupon, well - gee -- too bad. It isn't like you haven't had any notice about this coming...

[does.tv]

The 'tweaking' is that some stations move from a temporary antenna to their permanent antenna and then most will move from their temporary digital channel to their permanent channel. Oh - on Feb 18th don't forget to do a rescan on your HD receivers as the channels will change!

I have an $18,000+ piece of scrap after the transition sitting on top of a 2000 foot tower I have to deal with after this ordeal. Not to mention about $125,000 worth of transmission line from my building up to the top. How'd ya like to have to deal with that compared to a $75 rooftop antenna... The transition date? Can you say "Super Bowl" and "March Madness"?? That determined the date. Can't do it in the summer because of baseball. Fall doesn't work because of football & basketball. Sports....

I work broadcasting and this possible delay is causing havoc in the stations. After 10 years of planning and forced spending by government decree, and a 2 year fixed date - if the 5% of the country that didn't get off their butts didn't get a coupon, well - gee -- too bad. It isn't like you haven't had any notice about this coming...

[VirtualDavid]

Terrestrial broadcasting will be dead within 5 years. Save you money. Use cheaper hardline.

[jimmyhoops]

No delay! If you didn't receive enough warnings by now, then too bad. If you can't get it together then pick up a book...it's better for you!

[rcarsey]

why are we really worried about poor people (who cant afford cable TV) who won't be able to watch TV?? Them not having TV is probably a good thing. they'd get off their ***** and get a job out of boredom.

I should run for congress.

[Spartan_458]

No.

[maniacpontiac]

I believe that the transition should be entirely cancelled. Analog has been around for a very long time. If analog were no good, a replacement would have been developed many decades ago. People should not have to buy new TVs or converter boxes- people can't even afford the basic living expenses during this recession! There is no excuse for forcing the advancement of technology in the face of a crisis that is taking a human toll and turning so many lives upside down. At least delay it a couple more years and if this undesireable transition is unavoidable, at least make the transition during the warm summer months and when the recession is over.

[skillingssucks]

You have no idea what you're talking about....whatsoever.

[ywkhgqo]

see your point would be a good one if there wasn't a GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT GAVE PEOPLE THESE BOXES FOR FREE. There is NO EXCUSE. The people that don't have them and need them are simply lazy. This has been well known for years. And i hate to tell you, but if we "delay it a couple more years", there will still be poor people. In a capitalistic society, there will ALWAYS be poor no matter what anyone does, (besides going to socialism)

[martin_c_e]

Baloney! roughly 85% of Americans have cable or satellite and that includes many on welfare and marginal incomes. Verizon pointed out in their previous quarter that people will give up houses, cars; but not their TV.

[sanenazok]

@maniacpontiac: even if there was no government converter box program...still I don't see your point. Nobody but FCC mandated broadcasters uses analog broadcasts...nobody. Not cable companies, not the sat. providers, not cell phone companies. Only radio and tv are analog since the FCC forces them to be. The real reason for the lack of transition is government interference. What's the "human toll?" Not being able to watch "America's Fattest Fatties" for two days before you cough up the cash for a converter box? I understand some people face a difficult financial situation, but maintaining inefficient and backwards broadcasts is not going to help them. Library cards are FREE, that's the key to the problem!

[g-101]

Caves were great places to live at one time also. Should we still be living in the stone ages?? Maybe we should still be riding horses for transportation to and from work. I think the real problem is these so called poor people can't find room to put their converter box between their 600 DVD's and 300 Video Games. Also these poor people have no plugs left in the back of their TV's because the Playstation 3, X-Box, and Wii are already taking up all of their ports. Using your mindset we should stop trying to advance medical technology since it has been around for thousands of years and if there was something better it would have been developed already. Why don't you throw away your cell phone and go back to a beeper!

[kaibelf]

"IAnalog has been around for a very long time. If analog were no good, a replacement would have been developed many decades ago. People should not have to buy new TVs or converter boxes- people can't even afford the basic living expenses during this recession! There is no excuse for forcing the advancement of technology in the face of a crisis that is taking a human toll and turning so many lives upside down. At least delay it a couple more years and if this undesireable transition is unavoidable, at least make the transition during the warm summer months and when the recession is over. "

1. Lead paint was around for a long time, as well as asbestos.
2. We haven't been in a recession for 10 years.
3. These boxes didn't come out at Christmas. They were around 2 years ago during the summer months.

[manualfunky]

here's an idea idiots... go out and buy a set top box... theyre less than a hundred bucks in NZ and Oz plus with the way that your financial meltdown is destroying every other currency (thanks for that by the way America) the should be dirt cheap in the US of fricken A.

How many years have you all known about this...?

How hard is it for the citizens in your country to take responsibility for themselves and make sure you're all ready for it in time? (obviously quite hard, otherwise i wouldnt be writing this..)

Why are you all so damn addicted to TV?

[Spartan_458]

@maniacpontiac

I know your kind. "Doom and gloom! Everything is terrible! Let's go to the government for help and answers!"

This transition has been in the works for years now, long before this silly "recession." This whole delaying thing is just because people are too whiny these days and can't live without their luxuries. That's why everyone thinks this "recession" is so bad. They can't afford their luxuries, so they want the government to pay for them.

Just go ahead and do it already. Anyone who isn't prepared by now is ignorant, lazy, or just plain stupid. They'll figure out what to do quickly enough when they suddenly can't watch TV. Delaying it will only delay the time when people start complaining.

[revgsmitty]

7 years ago I needed to replace my TV. FCC & Congress had already set the transition to Digital in progress. Date was to be when something like 90% of the population could receive a digital signal. I couldn't find a digital set at that time! One sales rep at a big box Electronics store told me "Congress will push the date back"

After Hurricane Katrina Congress screwed up the law and set the mandatory date of Feb. 19, 2009. I still couldn't find a digital tv set in NE Iowa. I ordered a tuner for my TV on the internet.

a year ago you could stiill buy new TVs without a digital tuner....
The early adds (as well as the ads by cable & sat. providers) announcing the program have been pathetic as they passed on misinformation. Had a visit a month ago with my sister (a computer programmer!) who didn't understand the changes.


Should the date have been set differently in the first place...YES.
Should the TVs manufacturers been mandated to switch to digital tuners earlier YESSSS!!!!
Should the date have been in the summer rather the middle of winter DUH!!!!
Did the FCC & Congress screw up the coupon program of course

Should we change the date now? No It should have been changed 6 months ago or more, but the week before is too late it will just confuse the public even more.

[ezoons]

There have been warnings up at these "big box Electronics Stores" as well. If people choose to purchase a cheaper television knowing it will need a converter box in a year that's a choice they made.

People will complain about the date no matter when it falls. At least there is a coupon program.

Want some cheese with your whine?

[martin_c_e]

Why buy a TV with a digital tuner if you have cable?. Most people could care less. DTV's have been on the market for well over 2 years.

Most of the people I know that watch over-the-air TV choose to not have a wasteful cable bill and are easily middle class and not poor or elderly.

[ShannonKathleen]

YES delay transition! After reading through all the comments, I agree with your point of view, except I do not believe it will be confusing to delay the transition. My personal situation is that I was laid off from work and have moved to a different city so I simply do not have the money to buy converter box or a NEW TV with a digital tuner. It just makes sense to delay this transition for the reasons you stated: I promise you, I will not be confused but relieved. . . . I applied for my coupon as soon as I could after I moved to my new address and have not gotten it and will not have TV unless this is delayed. Everyone who applied for the coupon prior to the deadline should receive a coupon in time before the Feb. 19, 2009 deadline.

PLEASE DELAY! DELAY! DELAY!

Who needs to watch TV anyway? It is a big waste of time and keeps people inactive. Maybe less couch potatoes will get people active again and less obese (another national crisis facing Americans).

I can watch most of my favorite programs on the internet and get local/national/world news online.

DO WE REALLY NEED TV? It does put me to sleep when I have a hard time sleeping (numbs the brain like a sleeping pill).

[sanenazok]

@ShannonKathleen - so you're saying that you would like to see a delay since you can't afford a DTV converter box. Have you been unemployed for the last 2-3 years? That's how long this transition has been coming. Well, it's a shame really, especially since you CAN AFFORD AN INTERNET CONNECTION. Awful.

[kaibelf]

Shannon
If TV is such a waste of time, why on earth would you care if it's delayed or not? Seriously.....
Don't begrudge everyone else because of your poor decisions.

[ShannonKathleen]

SANENAZOK: You are very sarcastic, rude, and judgmental. YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY SITUATION! I HAVE A STRONG SUSPICION YOU WORK FOR A TELEVISION STATION. AND I WOULD GO AS FAR TO SAY THAT MOST OF THESE VOTES ARE FROM EMPLOYEES OF TELEVISION STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. It makes perfect sense, they have the most to loose. You seem to have been aware of this change for the last 2-3 years. NO, I was not aware of this change until the summer of 2008, and even though it is NOYB I was laid off summer of 2008. Frankly, I do not remember any advertisements about this change until the summer of 2008, when the local news stations started blasting it all over the local television stations where I live. By the way I AM USING THE COMPUTER INTERNET CONNECTION AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE I SPEND A LOT OF MY TIME JOB SEARCHING. GEE, YOU'RE WRONG AGAIN, I cannot afford internet.

This is for KAIBELF. How in the world would I be able to go to sleep at night without TV? You are very defensive about Televison. WHICH TV STATION TO YOU WORK FOR?

[do7phin]

For goodness sake, we're talking about bleeping television. If you can't come up with $50 bucks for a converter, maybe you should get off your tush, and mow some lawns, hold up furniture liquidation sale signs, or sell your organs to research. If you're just too ignorant to know this was coming, than just think of it as an opportunity to take your vegetating to a whole new level.

[cwlqwp]

Thats the best idea ever I'm going to sell part of my liver. Think how much i could get for that, and it would regrow too, now i can go buy a new tv and a new computer.