USA to delay digital TV switch

[John Picard]

I had the same thought reading that article!

Come to The Dark Side -- They have cookies!

Do I have to listen to Rush and O'Reilly if I do?

Oh good lord I'm more of a Conservative (Libertarian) and I can't stand O'Reilly. Maddox had it right by labeling him as a "blubbering vagina".

 

[Scout101]

Out of the supposed 6 million homes that aren't ready yet, care to make predictions on how many aren't ready in the news articles right before the June deadline?

Should be set the over/under at 5 million? 4 Million? Not exactly sure where a good point for gambling would be, but I'm taking the OVER in either of those wagers.

This retarded legislation just pushed back the date, and cost a lot of companies a lot of money. Won't help anyone.

 

[Lindley]

The "cost money" bit should be minimized, since companies are allowed to switch over before June if they want to.

 

[Scout101]

then what's the benefit of passing the bill? If the cost to run these extra transmitters is high, then in this economy, won't most of them just change over as planned, if it isn't mandatory to stay with Analog?

You're now making things worse, because the changeover happened, but you've got Congress telling you it was delayed until June.

Except your TV doesn't work anymore. Or NBC still works, but ABC went away.

Some stations will suck it up and keep broadcasting Analog, but at huge cost. Since the budget for the year was done with Feb in mind, they have to make other changes, tightening belts or laying people off to make this happen.

Companies that paid money for the bandwidth, and geared up with resources and people to hit the ground running, now need to sit on that cost a while, or lay off people and try to rehire them in June. Loss of money, business, and investment there, as well. Plus delays possible benefits, like wireless broadband in rural communities that are too spread out for DSL or Cable to invest in.

How many will benefit from this, in the end?

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

I'm amazed the government forked out for your digiboxes. That's so, well, socialist. We, on the other hand, under a nominally socialist government got nada. The Scottish Borders were the first region to have their analogue transmitters turned off. There wasn't much fuss at all. Most of the rest will be turned off this year.

At first I thought it was stupid, but then I started thinking about how the FCC goes to such extremes to keep "offensive" material from being broadcast. The government wants to control it, why shouldn't they pay for it? In any case, I haven't really bothered to care too much about it, since I have a whole premium cable package for free. (All the channels, On Demand, two dvrs, internet, all costs me ZILCH a month) Nice side benefit to having a spouse that works for the cable company.

 

[John Picard]

I'm amazed the government forked out for your digiboxes. That's so, well, socialist. We, on the other hand, under a nominally socialist government got nada. The Scottish Borders were the first region to have their analogue transmitters turned off. There wasn't much fuss at all. Most of the rest will be turned off this year.

At first I thought it was stupid, but then I started thinking about how the FCC goes to such extremes to keep "offensive" material from being broadcast. The government wants to control it, why shouldn't they pay for it? In any case, I haven't really bothered to care too much about it, since I have a whole premium cable package for free. (All the channels, On Demand, two dvrs, internet, all costs me ZILCH a month) Nice side benefit to having a spouse that works for the cable company.

The money for the converter boxes came from the funds generated by auctioning off the spectrum, NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

 

[bigdaddy]

The money for the converter boxes came from the funds generated by auctioning off the spectrum, NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

I just want to quote that because it's 90% true, they haven't auctioned off the lines yet, so the money will come from there and no one seems to listen when I say that!

Also the banks get bailouts and go on vacations, I think I deserve to get the thing for free!

 

[Scout101]

^anyone that was smart enough to fill out the form basically did. Or, it cost them $10 if they didn't buy the $40 Magnavox one Walmart was selling...

 

[John Picard]

The money for the converter boxes came from the funds generated by auctioning off the spectrum, NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

I just want to quote that because it's 90% true, they haven't auctioned off the lines yet, so the money will come from there and no one seems to listen when I say that!

Also the banks get bailouts and go on vacations, I think I deserve to get the thing for free!

Excuse me?

FCC AUCTION OF ANALOG TV SPECTRUM NETS $19.6B

By Staff
TVNEWSDAY, Mar 19 2008, 8:54 AM ET
The auction of spectrum being freed up in TV stations' move to digital broadcasting generated a record $19.6 billion, nearly double congressional estimates, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced last night.
The previous record for spectrum auctions was $13.9 billion in 2006.

​

The record was set, even though the reserve price for one of the five available block of spectrum was not sold, Martin said in a prepared statement.
The eight unsold licenses in those blocks remain held by the FCC and will again be made available for commercial bidding in a future auction.
The FCC began the auction on Jan. 24 and presided over 261 rounds of bidding among companies that plan to use the spectrum for broadband wireless communications.
The 700 MHz spectrum is attractive to both industry and public safety organizations because it is especially well-suited for wireless broadband, is capable of carrying large amounts of data, can travel far distances, and easily penetrates walls with great efficiency and speed—allowing for more effective and reliable wireless communications, Martin said.
The next generation of wireless networks to be deployed in the 700 MHz band will be faster than those available today, and they will extend to both urban and rural areas of the country.

 

[bigdaddy]

Oh I didn't know they sold it already, see people 20 billion? That's enough to buy everyone a HD TV that has the things you need build it.

Or they could screw the bailouts of rich assholes and give everyone in the country $5,000. Would work better.

 

[IndyJones]

The "cost money" bit should be minimized, since companies are allowed to switch over before June if they want to.

My Fox affilliate announced last night that they will do the switch this month.

Good on them.

 

[John Picard]

^^

Oklahoma TV stations preparing for digital switch


Despite congressional action allowing a four-month delay in the switch to digital-only television, most Oklahoma stations will switch on Feb. 17 as planned.

Feb 5 Delaying digital TV is just another sign of the ineptitude of the U.S. Congress.

Officials with KFOR, KWTV, KOCO and OETA in Oklahoma City and KSWO in Lawton say the switch from analog to digital signals is ready and will occur as planned.
Officials at other stations in the state either said a decision has not been made or did not immediately return phone calls for comment.
The U.S. House voted 264-158 Wednesday to postpone the switch to digital until June 12. The Senate previously approved the bill unanimously and President Barack Obama has said he will sign it.

So much for "Change" At least the stations in the OKC metro will switch.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Y'know this is just what I expected of our new president. A bunch of dumb ass "changes".

JUST DO THE DAMNED SWITCHOVER ALREADY DAMMIT. How the frak long do I have to endure those fuckin' ads on TV, on Billboards, in stores, EVERYWHERE. Going "Only XX days until the switchover! Are you ready?!"

Yes dammit! I've been ready for months, because guess what I FILLED OUT THE FUCKIN FORM ONLINE IN 2 MINUTES!!! Aww so some luddite old folks and alledgely 'poor' people won't be able to watch TV. Boo frakin hoo! Then buy a NEW TV not that $10 one you picked up a rummage sale! Or just BUY the stupid convertor box if you've got an 'expensive big tv'.

Wow a whole $50 that's not going to kill some one. I mean geez... if you're watching FREE TV its still cheaper than cable or sattellite. JUST SUCK IT UP!

Do the switch already. If people are THAT STUPID that they didn't know this was coming or were born yesterday... then they deserve to do without TV, clearly it rotted their brains.

C'mon Europeans you've been digital for years now right? Did it take this much pissin' and moanin to get people to convert?

 

[chrisspringob]

It's weird how this became a partisan issue, with the Democrats in Congress almost uniformly in favor of delaying the change and the GOP almost uniformly in favor of a quick transition. Part of this could be a matter of how the parties tend to align on issues of "business" vs. "consumers", with the companies that own the TV stations wanting to implement the changeover quickly, so they don't have to keep spending $ on broadcasting in analog, while consumer advocacy groups want to wait until the government can distribute more coupons or what have you....

But I think a lot of it is just politicians being afraid of an angry backlash from the public, if the changeover happens, and too many people are unprepared for it. Of course, since the Dems are now the ones in power, they'd be more likely to feel the brunt of any public backlash, so that's why they're freaked out about this.

 

[Nick Ryder]

But what is so stupid is that IS becoming a Dem Vs Rep pissing match. We've known for at least a couple years that this was coming. Granted its only been a year since the coupons went out, but let's get real here, so if the change over happens and people don't have the coupons by that time to buy a convertor, they can still walk into nearly ANY store in the country, buy a box for full price. Then, when they do eventually get a coupon - either a) buy another box exactly the same as the old one but with the coupon and return the new one with the old receipt. b) buy a new TV (Wal-Mart has digital tvs for about $100 bucks - granted their not flat panels, but no one said this transition had to be a reason to buy a flat panel. You can still get a 13-19-20 inch tv with the digital tuner built in) c) get cable or satellite service. Chances are depending where you are located, you could probably get a service for less than $20 a month for a very basic service.

So what will happen in June? Obamarama will complain that there's 'still people not ready' and what? Push it back AGAIN? Just do the damned changeover. The government is being NICE by actually giving us $80 towards boxes. If this was solely a Republican issue, then they could have just said "We're changing over, so buy a box or a new TV or get cable/sat by this day or else." Plus if they can shut off the analog signal and boost all available power to the digital signals, people will be happier with the new way of watching TV.

Let the coupons come, after the changeover date and worry about other bigger problems.

Gee is it time to buy my "Impeach Obama" stickers?

 

[Spot's Meow]

Just wanted to say that although it has become partisan in Congress, it hasn't really done so among "the people." Thinking about it, all of the Democrats I know are actually against the delay, and want it done on Feb. 17. I know a couple of Republicans who are for the delay, but mostly everyone I know is against it no matter what their political leaning is.

 

[Kryton]

The locals here still plan to change over on the 17th. Fer fuck's sake, it costs them $9000 a month just to power the additional transmitter! Let analog DIE already!

 

[Bob The Skutter]

The locals here still plan to change over on the 17th. Fer fuck's sake, it costs them $9000 a month just to power the additional transmitter! Let analog DIE already!

I wish they were just switching everywhere off at once here, instead they're switching off different areas at different times. So switch over is going to be between this year (Scottish borders) and 2012 (London).

 

[Trekker4747]

I wonder. People still on analogue if they turn on their TVs after the switch are they just going to get static (or however their TV represents no signal)?

Or will there at least be a message there that says "You need to buy a converter box you dense, slow poke, Luddite?"

Seems like putting the latter there would facilitate the idiots who couldn't get off their ass and prepare for this after the near decade long time this has been discussed.

 

[John Picard]

I wonder. People still on analogue if they turn on their TVs after the switch are they just going to get static (or however their TV represents no signal)?

Or will there at least be a message there that says "You need to buy a converter box you dense, slow poke, Luddite?"

When an analog television is not receiving a signal, all the television displays is static, snow, etc. Also, if the analog transmitters are powered down, how/why would a message be broadcast informing people to buy a converter box?