Comments on: Media honchos sound off on emerging TV tech

The government's deadline for a digital TV transition is unrealistic, execs say, and the verdict is still out on digital video recorders.

[ordaj]

Bah. Ask a convicted killer if he likes the death penalty...

...of course not.

[ordaj]

Bah. Ask a convicted killer if he likes the death penalty...

...of course not.

TV is starting to show signs of DEATH

If the music industry can struggle and Hollywood can bleed, then surely it is time to consider the possibility that TV is on its deathlegs.

All sorts of media forms are under attack from blogs. Even shows like Enterprise are badly written and are cancelled. Google and Yahoo are rushing into video search. Europe strips Media Player out of MS Windows. High definition TV shows a serious lack of network resolve and definitely little public enthusiasm. And the list goes on and on and on ...

What a difference 'two years' can make ...

Well, who knows what 2007 will bring?

TV is starting to show signs of DEATH

If the music industry can struggle and Hollywood can bleed, then surely it is time to consider the possibility that TV is on its deathlegs.

All sorts of media forms are under attack from blogs. Even shows like Enterprise are badly written and are cancelled. Google and Yahoo are rushing into video search. Europe strips Media Player out of MS Windows. High definition TV shows a serious lack of network resolve and definitely little public enthusiasm. And the list goes on and on and on ...

What a difference 'two years' can make ...

Well, who knows what 2007 will bring?

[C.Schroeder]

How to get digital TV into more homes quickly

The majority of Americans receive their television signals via cable. The fastest way to get digital TV into American homes is with DVRs that can record both SDTV & HDTV in their native, digital formats, but support analog playback (composite, S-video, component) in addition to digital playback (DVI, HDMI, firewire, etc).

Consumers have used VCRs as substitute cable tuners for older TVs for years. Digital television reception via a DVR would not be substantially different. A DVR is cheaper than a new DTV, and since a VCR has moving parts it is more likely to wear out and need replacement before the consumer's analog TV.

[C.Schroeder]

How to get digital TV into more homes quickly

The majority of Americans receive their television signals via cable. The fastest way to get digital TV into American homes is with DVRs that can record both SDTV & HDTV in their native, digital formats, but support analog playback (composite, S-video, component) in addition to digital playback (DVI, HDMI, firewire, etc).

Consumers have used VCRs as substitute cable tuners for older TVs for years. Digital television reception via a DVR would not be substantially different. A DVR is cheaper than a new DTV, and since a VCR has moving parts it is more likely to wear out and need replacement before the consumer's analog TV.

[Razzl]

Remember, it's not about you, it's about them

It always helps to remind ourselves that the reason behind the FCC's drive to digital is not their desire to bring us good television, but their desire to make big bucks for the government and the Republican constituency by auctioning off the portions of the airwaves that they control for cell phones, satellite tv, etc. Digitalization lets them carve out more profitable bandwith from the same space. Short deadlines will almost certainly mean higher rates for all forms of tv as the transition costs get passed on to the consumer, in effect asking the lowly to subsidize the FCC's gift to Bushes' base...who will undoubtedly pick up the bandwith at favorable rates...

[Razzl]

Remember, it's not about you, it's about them

It always helps to remind ourselves that the reason behind the FCC's drive to digital is not their desire to bring us good television, but their desire to make big bucks for the government and the Republican constituency by auctioning off the portions of the airwaves that they control for cell phones, satellite tv, etc. Digitalization lets them carve out more profitable bandwith from the same space. Short deadlines will almost certainly mean higher rates for all forms of tv as the transition costs get passed on to the consumer, in effect asking the lowly to subsidize the FCC's gift to Bushes' base...who will undoubtedly pick up the bandwith at favorable rates...