Comments on: FAQ: What does the digital-TV switch actually mean?

It's not too early to think about how to ensure your television won't go dark when analog broadcasts shut down in 2009.
Photos: Converting from analog to digital TV

[rcrusoe]

I'm in no hurry

Since congress says cable operators must support analog tvs until 2012, I'm going to wait until there is enough (good) HD content available to it worth make purchasing a new television.

Five years might be long enough for that to happen.

[skeptik]

well you needn't be...

Since you're apparently getting your signal from a cable operator, this entire issue doesn't apply to you. Didn't you read the article?
Oh and um... HD content isn't the only reason to get a new TV set... fortunately for you, the converter box will downgrade all future digital signals (HD or otherwise) so you can continue to get the same inferior signal for as long as you can keep that old set running!
But you might want to upgrade that 8 track player in your car now... there has been some decent content released in the time since they quit producing those tapes.

[paulsecic]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Its going to cost $20 extra a month from Dish, $15 from Directv
this year alone.

[michaelo1966]

Editorial disguised as news

This is an editorial against the digitial to analog converter subsidies disguised as news. My guess is almost anybody reading news.com will think the coupons are a needless waste but you should just report the boondangle and allow us -- the loyal readers -- to suggest that they're stupid, which they of course are.

[Renegade Knight]

When Analog Goes Dark

I'm stuck. Right now everthing just works. My DVR's, My TV's all work with no set top boxes mucking up my remote controls and ability to record a show. When we go digital, I lose the convenience thanks to a lack of government standards on how the signals should be broadcast.

Right now, Analog just works. Digital is propriatary as heck and a PITA.

[theshoehorn]

Really...

And you're how old? 60? Time to get with the program and get cable/satelite or get a digital capable DVR, like a Series3 TiVo.

[Captain Bebops]

Been Ready Since 2000

I bought my 53" HDTV in fall of 2000. I live in a valley where there is no OTA so there is either the choice of satellite or cable (no IPTV availabe yet). I currently have cable and have done satellite both with HD receivers. And on top of that I have an HD tuner for one computer and a networked HD tuner. I've been ready for some time and ready for more channel to provide actual HD content instead of upverted SD. One thing people never mention about the transition is we're getting rid of that terrible Not The Same Color (NTSC) standard (kludge) which is a big win all the way around.

The technology keeps getting cheaper so this is much ado about nothing. In fact I recently bought a 720p camcorder for only $150.

[reinab]

VCR's

I know everyone is into dvd's and dvr's, but will
we be able to record programming off the tv with
our years old vcr's?
Thanks

[dmine45]

With a converter box

If you use a converter, you can record just fine on that old VCR. Problem is that you'll have to manually set the channel on the box, just like if you had a cable box.

[dwgsp]

What About Analog Cable?

Your answer to the first question was incomplete. I subscribe to cable, but receive an analog signal which I watch using my "cable ready" television. I don't have a cable box. What does the digital transition do to folks like me?

[E B]

Two answers

Answer 1: It means nothing to you, because the change applies only to over-the-air broadcasts.

Answer 2: Talk to your cable company. Sooner or later, you'll need a box from them, or an upgraded TV. When that happens depends not on this law, but on your cable provider.

It seems likely that once over-the-air broadcasts are all digital, cable companies will initially sell their service as a way to avoid having to buy a converter box. Sooner or later though, cable companies will start pulling support for analog channels (reasoning that you've already upgraded to a digital TV, and if you haven't they still have you as a captive audience). It's to their benefit to drop them, for much the same reasons -- they can offer more channels if they use that analog signal space for digital signals instead.

[dmine45]

You're good to 2012

The 2009 deadline is for OTA programming. Cable isn't required to change over until 2012.
Most cable systems already have digital to analog converters, so when the OTA change occurs, you won't see anything different since you've probably already been converted, you just didn't realize it.

[usacascl]

Ways to avoid abuse

In the application form, applicants must enter their TV model, brand, year and size. Sure enough they can make fake information (and when get inspected simply say it was sold). So there must be some sort of agreement to not sell the TV(s) for a period of time (6 months or 1 year at least). At least it can give enough time for inspectors.

My 2 cents.

[stlwest]

What about the antenna?

OK, just for those poor folks the writer calls the minority who haven't bought a new TV since March and aren't on cable or satellite. Do you have any numbers to support that minority statement?

You've indicated a requirement for a digital tuner but will that work with a current antenna in the attic? Also are the frequencies handed out for digital transmission as good as the one's the government is hijacking?

[RIKARD-EL]

More antenna info

Try this web site. It contains a plethora of info re/ antennas. A tool is provided to show you where the TV transmission towers are in relation to your residence. http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

[Holly Klug]

Antenna might be OK

If it has UHF, maybe. Channels 2-7 are moving to UHF (I suppose in some areas where 8-13 are not used, they could go there), so 2-7 move to UHF. So if you don't get a strong signal now, those new UHF channels might not come in since the range is less. Right now nearly all digital TV is UHF, since 8-13 are still analog. We have a cabin 40 miles from the antennas and in a low-lying area, and with a roof UHF antenna and mast mounted booster we can only get the lowest digital UHF channel reliably (17).

[KSman01]

Audio flaws in digital TV

I don't understand why the audio is often so out of sync with many digital broadcasts and why obviously broadcasters do not seem to care. Maybe we need a FTC regulation to get things right. Compare digital and analog programming on PBS that are broadcast at the same time as standard def and HD. The sync on the standard def is fine and very much off on the HD.

[davidhoffman]

Audio Flaws in DTV

I have seen some of this. It sometimes involves station engineers who are having trouble getting the DTV signal proceessing equipment to keep the audio and video on the same time. The audio goes thru faster than the video. Also my television does not have the latest ATSC tuner and the processsor gets hung up dealing with the video while letting the audio thru. By next year TVs with better tuners will be available to correct some of this problem.

[libertyforall1776]

Converters out today, no need for Gov't subsidies!!!

Digital TV converters are out today and have been for some time, I
have a combo Digital/HD w DVD Upscaler (look on ebay, they're
not expensive), so there is no need for Government subsidies!!!

Just another example of why government does not work.

Ron Paul for President 2008! http://ronpaul2008.com

[Holly Klug]

Are you sure?

I do not seen any of these devices that receive over the air HDTV signals from an antenna, which is what you would need. What these devices do is allow a standard definition cable or VCR signal to work with an HDTV only television. What you would need with an ordinary TV in 2009 is an HDTV receiver or set top box. This is more of a down converter, rather than an up converter application.

[Tomcat Adam]

Dolt.

1)Cable providers are pushing this a hell of a lot harder than the government, so if you're to place 'blame', start with them.
2)How does the government HELPING people make them fail helping this situation?
3)Digital converters out today cost upwards of $300.

[krazyken44]

Hmm

Does this sound like big-brother again to me. I love how the government solves it problems. Send use a coupon lol.

1. Analog TV has always worked for me.
2.HD, SDTV, and EDTV is costly.
3.Along with fact it kills VCR I'm not interested.
4.The government is involved; this makes me leary.

Now, my statement is if ain't broke why fix it, but even worse is the government is getting in the deal.
I do realize I'll have to someday give up and buy a new TV. I consider it then, but not untill then.

[Tomcat Adam]

The bow wasn't broken

So why use a rifle?
This isn't "big brother" in the slightest way; They aren't watching you, and the converter boxes don't record you nor your habits in any conceivable way.

1)Good. But it is slow, inefficient and like it or not, technology has to advance. When it comes to technological advancement, the greater majority of the public > small minority.
Your statement is the same as saying "writing always worked for me, why use a typewriter?"

2)And getting exponentially cheaper. Much in the same way that the computer/TV you are using was extremely costly 10, 15 years ago.

3)lol wut? How does it kill vcr's? Converter -> VCR on channel 3 or through AV -> TV on Channel 3 or AV. Problem solved.
If you have a newer VCR that schedules recordings, most digital set top boxes can be programmed to switch the channel at specific times during the day.

4)All the government is doing is oversight; the switch itself is managed by individual stations.

[hydrodev]

@ tomcat

You missed the point. Read the book again. It not the one standout fact about the book 1984, whch is the telescreen. The point he was making is that there is controll over information. The fact then the only info you have or can have access to is what you ar allowed. It not that they will be watching, its about them being able to alter facts and info about history, science and other subjects at will. They dictate the events of the past, rather than record them. Try ACTUALLY reading the book, rather than lean on common knowledge of the book. If you have read the book, take a class on comprehension.

This IS VERY BIG BROTHER.

[evilbill1782]

But...

...what if you have a seriously ancient TV (say, from the 1970s) and no money? I know a converter box would work, but since my TV doesn't have a remote control and only has 8 channel selectors, I'm a bit out of luck...

[Tomcat Adam]

Channel 3

If it works with a VCR then it would work with a converter (ala placing the TV on channel 3).
Channels are changed on the converter itself.

[Penguinisto]

I got a better idea...

...how about I simply stop watching broadcast television?

No, really - if left to my own devices, I rarely go near the thing for broadcast or cable/sat TV, instead using it as more of a monitor for DVD and computer-borne videos.

I can get local/nat'l/international news online. Sitcoms suck. Dramas (lately) suck. There's nothing really else worth watching on the thing outside of the occasional documentary.

Maybe then, the television industry might get the hint?

/P

[Tomcat Adam]

Nope.

You are, and always shall be in the very, very small minority that no broadcaster cares about, and never will care about.

[azlizird]

Let it Go!!

We all complain of the "Big Business" having us by the gonads, and they do! So let us "let Them Go" and return to reading and writing and Yes THINKING!!! AZLIZIRD

[Jim Harmon]

Digital TV

[i]If there's one message the government wants you to know about analog televisions going dark in early 2009, it's this: don't panic.[/i]

What's this from, [i]Hitchhiker's Guide to Digital TV?[/i] :)

[stephtrey]

battery operated TV's

I am frequently on the road or in places where electricity is not available. I use a battery operated television. After the switch, how will I be able to get a signal without electricity to run the box??

[exmoviddude]

Battery operated TV's

Those of us using TV's in our RV's that require the box will also need a dc/ac inverter. This means two more current consuming devices that will diminish the life of the batteries supplying the TV, Box and inverter. Does anybody know the current draw of these boxes?

[solrosenberg]

The Empire

The people get their subsidized bread and circuses and the government gets its $10-15 billion for more imperial wars. Win win!

[tundraboy]

Not that easy to abuse

I'm not to crazy about the feds handing out coupons but hell
they gave away the digital frequencies FOR FREE to the networks,
at least they're throwing the little guys some crumbs. If anyone
is going to complain about the potential for abuse with the
vouchers, I'd want to hear him raise hell about those FREE
frequencies first. Why do the networks get a free pass while
everyone else has to bid for a spot in the spectrum?

Furthermore, exactly how does one abuse the vouchers? You
still have to buy a converter for 50-70 dollars. If you think you
end up ahead if you spend 10 dollars to get a 40 dollar discount
on something you don't, then you're an idiot and you deserve to
be parted from your money.

The only potential fraud is the converter box manufacturers
turning in coupons for fictitious converter sales. But that is
easily prevented.

[tundraboy]

Sorry, missing word. . .

If you think you end up ahead if you spend 10 dollars to get a 40
dollar discount on something you don't NEED, then you're an idiot
and you deserve to be parted from your money.

[sam99999999]

$15B will pay for about 2 months of Iraq

Such a shame. At the time this plan was hatched, we were supposed to end up with "HDTV", not just "DTV".

But worse, this is a one-time spectrum auction that will net the government an estimated $15 billion. That sounds like a lot of money.

But Bush will have blown that amount of money in Iraq in the next two months. In other words, by the time the first converter coupons become available. What an abominable waste.

Vote for Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, or anyone else that will get us out of Iraq and restore some fiscal discipline in Washington.

[dakotawbrown34]

The Government.........

My personal OPINION on the subject would be that WE should have the choice of what type of TV we watch. The government should just stop telling us what to do. They think they can just get by controlling our lives.

[llededdc5]

So what is the reason for the switch? Are you saying its because of censorship of news media by the government?