Dave's Download

Delaying Digital TV Only Adds to the Mess

By David LaGesse

Posted: January 15, 2009

The digital TV switch is a mess. Word has it that congressional leaders are close to a bill to delay the deadline for turning off analog broadcasts. But I agree with outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who says it will add to already rampant confusion.

For one, it's a deadline to switch off analog. Some stations are making the switch sooner. Whole markets including Wilmington, N.C. have already gone digital. The state of Hawaii is throwing the switch today.

Or individual stations in some markets are making the change early. That's because broadcasters probably save more money by turning off their analog signal than it costs them in lost customers.

Congress could consider other answers. The coupon program is at the heart of the problem, by congressional design. Reinstate expired coupons, which are worthless after 90 days. Add money to the program so people can quickly get coupons.

Yes, the switch will hit the poor and the elderly harder than most. Maybe Congress could do something to target them with added help. They'll need it even if the deadline isn't moved because the transition is already underway.

I don't see how moving the deadline is worth it. Yes, it's a mess. A delay will only make it worse.

Decent indoor antenna for DTV

Rabbit Ears, standard and amplified antennas were designed for the older NTSC standard and not the newer digital standard imposed very soon in most of the United States. Fractals anyone. At least the televsion industry didn't ask for a bailout for installing and procuring digital equipment and cams for the conversion.

Oppenheim Doperman of LA @ Jan 27, 2009 09:33:51 AM

Digital TV transition

I have two converter boxes. I then had to go out and buy antennas since I am presently using cable and can no longer afford it.

The antennas do not fit into the coax connection. I googled the best indoor antennas for my area. Also, since I presently have cable, I do not have a/v input plugs.

I understand that the transition is supposed to free-up broadband, but I agree with CarlB of Ohio - it definitely is a money issue - real good for cable and satellite companies business, but not for the consumer.

Margaret of NJ @ Jan 18, 2009 19:59:43 PM

Blame Congress

If there are fewer coupons than TV's in need of the same, this is no accident and is not the fault of "procrastination" on the part of consumers. Congress is forcing this transition because the auction of 14 TV channels in the 52-69 will bring in about $19 billion dollars - not exactly chump change. If even a tenth of that money were put into coupons, there would likely have been enough. Apparently the Senate originally (when the 2005 legislation behind this mess was passed) had tried to get a $3 billion limit for the coupon programme but the House wanted to cut this off at $1 billion. The result is an unwieldly compromise by which the coupon supply was *designed* to expire or run out before all TV's were converted, allowing Congress to walk away with the billions from the spectrum auction while individual viewers would be forced to eat the cost of converting the remaining TV's. This would have happened regardless of whether American TV viewers, as a collective group, had applied earlier or not. Apply earlier, the money runs out earlier, and the problem is the same.

CarlB of OH @ Jan 18, 2009 03:55:48 AM

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Our in-house gadget guru, Senior Writer David LaGesse, checks out the latest technologies and gizmos, from computer software to GPS systems -- and reports back to you in plain English.


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