Digital TV Conversion Interesting article

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.wisinfo.com/journal/spjlocal/286576521540936.shtml

Viewers without cable, satellite or receivers will not get programming

Pending legislation in Washington will make rabbit ears that sit on top of televisions a thing of the past. Broadcasters will stop emitting analog signals in three years, giving those without digital television receivers, cable boxes or satellite receivers permanent dead air.

Digital TV receivers, which currently cost between $50 and $75 each, will be required just to get local broadcast stations. Congress is in negotiations for the switchover, which is intended to free up part of the broadcast spectrum and raise money by auctioning it to telecommunications firms.

(snip)

"Cable is not offered in her area," she said. "It's going to be hard for people like her who are on a fixed income. You shouldn't have to pay just to watch normal TV."
There are more than 20.4 million households that watch TV solely through over-the-air signals, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. It is estimated that 73 million televisions will need converter boxes within the next three years, since each household owns an average of two televisions, and an additional 33 million TVs in garages and kitchens do not have cable or satellite reception.

(snip)


"We have four TVs in our house with cable," said Diana Szlabick of Marshfield. "But I can see why some people would have a problem paying $50 just for broadcast channels."
Senate and House versions of the deficit-reduction bill include legislation setting aside funding for the conversion. A $990 million bill by the House would provide $40 coupons, with a limit of two per household, that would be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

I know a lot of people in rural areas who may find themselves hard hit by the switchover.

[Deja Q]

1. Live without TV.

It's there for me, but I don't watch much anything new - by the time all pof this is mandatory, anything remaining will be on DVD only.

I'd rather spend what's left of life enjoying life - not soaking radiation in front of a big plastic fantastic box.

[AndyTiedye]

2. In Fringe Areas, The Signal May be Too Weak For Digital

If you get a snowy picture on analog, that would be NO picture on digital.
The signal has to be really strong for it to work.

When they say "no rabbit ears" in the article, that's because you're probably
going to need a roof antenna, even in strong-signal areas. A little further out,
you'll need a booster. In the boonies or if there's a hill in the way, forget it.

[lifelong Democrat]

3. hit by the switchover

That's progress.

I have a garage full of stuff that was perfectly good when it became obsolete. The ice box is joined by a closet full of 35mm cameras and lenses, stacks of typewriters and word processors, boxes of dial phones, princess phones and cell phones, beta max tapes and players, there's a record player that has to be cranked, a gazillion radios; portables and desk models, Walkmans, game controllers and games, some 8 track sound equipment and tapes, cassette tapes and players, super 8 movies and projector, a pile of B&W TVs with a pile of color TVs and a mountain of computers, drives, scanners, printers, programs and devices to keep them company. There are buggy whips and steel wheeled roller skates that clamp to your shoes. Several one-speed bicycles with balloon tires hang from the walls. A coal furnace and an oil burner keep company with several kerosene heaters and a wood stove that were all replaced by solar panels. The fur and leather outfits that were replaced by woolie underwear are joined by a Nehru jacket, Beatle boots, tie died shirts, gigantic ear phones and polyester leisure suits.

All good. All worked fine and all were replaced by something better.