Upcoming issues with switchover to digital TV broadcasting

[mapes]

LOL- I know.

But the FCC is required to provide a signal of communication to the people. They mandate that specific broadcasting stations provide their signal to the people over the air.

The whole arguement is entwined in that "gov messaging must be free to the people"

If you are paying for cable so you can receive government messages (i.e. emergency broadcasts, pub service announcements, and etc) then the government has failed.

funny thing is, you are still paying for the messaging, because you have to own a TV

There is a government subsidy plan (created by our tax dollars) to give anyone wishing to still receive OTA TV broadcasts discount on the equipment. You can get two coupons for 40 bucks off a converter box. Granted the smaller signal strength is an issue that needs to be corrected. However I don't think it's a big issue to be over come. I think in the long run it's better for America to free up this spectrum at the expense of some folks having to buy some discount equipment.

Why does the government want all analog tv spectrums lol

Because that part of the radio spectrum is used inefficiently by analog TV broadcasts. Since radio spectrum is a scarce resource (i.e theres only so much) it is auctioned off by the FCC to the tune of mega boatloads cash. A lot of companies in various broadcasting and telecommunication areas want that part of the spectrum opened up or licensed for other uses.

It's interesting to note that this year has also seen the demise of another telecommunications technology. The original cellular network (when cell phones were as big as laptops). The FCC released major wireless carriers from having to support the old amps system on 2/18/08. Interesting enough is that this affected OnStar more than anyone else since OnStar used the AMPS system. Personally screw OnStar I say. The bastards made it impossible to buy a new car without the system so your always charged 200 bucks or whatever it costs. Even if you don't use the damn thing.

So buy a converter box... broadcasters increase signal strength and it's sorted. The people who argue against this are like folks who want to run windows for workgroup apps on 64 bit vista ugggh

[Trooper110]

The problems are that for a lot of people the converter boxes just don't work. They set it up, the retailer sets it up, tech support from the manufacturer, the retailer, still not working. And the FCC has no idea why. If it's something about the specific TV, something bad in the converter box (heard stories already of 4 different boxes gone through and none work), no idea what's happening. Where the problem is, is that the TV's are still good that people are using, they just don't support the digital broadcast. So if you have this system in place without proper testing and making sure everything works for the majority of people, you leave some out in the cold.

I agree that we need to do away with analog broadcasts and open that spectrum up for use, you can't pander to the few and far between, but they should have done more testing and worked on things a bit more before the deadline comes about.

[mapes]

The problems are that for a lot of people the converter boxes just don't work. They set it up, the retailer sets it up, tech support from the manufacturer, the retailer, still not working. And the FCC has no idea why. If it's something about the specific TV, something bad in the converter box (heard stories already of 4 different boxes gone through and none work), no idea what's happening. Where the problem is, is that the TV's are still good that people are using, they just don't support the digital broadcast. So if you have this system in place without proper testing and making sure everything works for the majority of people, you leave some out in the cold.

I agree that we need to do away with analog broadcasts and open that spectrum up for use, you can't pander to the few and far between, but they should have done more testing and worked on things a bit more before the deadline comes about.

Ummm they are doing testing. That place that converted (I forget where) was the first test run. No battle plan survives the first shot and no product or technology survives the first cycle of QA. By the way heres an intresting tidbit.... The actual switch over date is next year in late Feb. The reason for that date is so no one misses the Superbowl... No joke.

[mapes]

BTW I'd also like to add that I'm kinda annoyed by being redacted by Jaspur.

I said STFU. It seems I'm being singled at for the use of that phrase. Look I can understand not wantting that phrase but for $%$#sake do a search on the forum for phrase. There are forum posts in the community forum that has that phrase IN THE TITLE. At least do me the courtesy of redacting those as well or I'll think you'll have it out for me J.

[jeffro74]

Really

Who the hell still gets over the air TV. I say screw those people and free up the spectrum. Hell go and by cable and **** people

WOW,how nice of you

[mapes]

Who the hell still gets over the air TV. I say screw those people and free up the spectrum. Hell go and by cable and **** people


There is that better... I know I may sound harsh I was kinda joking. The sentiment is there though. Honestly can we not upgrade the TV system and free up a much needed resource?