[opendtv] Re: Community Broadcaster's Association wants converter boxes to handle analog, too!

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 08:50:31 -0500

At 8:29 AM -0800 11/15/07, John Willkie wrote:
<http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/11/15/daily.2/>http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2007/11/15/daily.2/

They argue that the STBs violate the All Channel Receiver act if they don't also handle analog, too.


I like the folks over at the CBA, however, they have a big problem with sending mixed messages to the rest of the broadcast community.

At their annual conference a few years ago one strongly held position was that the DTV deadline would be good for them, since they would be the only analog FTA broadcasts that could be received after the full power cut-off. SOme members were talking about trying to strike deals to carry the programming of the full power broadcasters after the analog cut-off. Another faction was strongly pushing the CBA members to bite the bullet and go digital ASAP. While these folks got a later start than the full power broadcasters, most will have had time to build digital facilities by February 2009, IF they have filed their applications in a timely manner.

But there is a gaping hole in their argument about the STBs that the NTIA is subsidizing. These boxes are for analog receivers that already have NTSC tuners. It is true that when using a digital convertor box the user will need to tune to channel 3 or 4, or switch to a composite or S-video input; but the analog tuner will still be there, just an extra click of the remote away. And some of these boxes will integrate the analog stations with the new digital stations.

This is very much like what has happened with cable/DBS boxes that may or may not include ATSC tuners. You can switch to the ATSC tuner to get the local stations, and with some boxes the ATSC channels are integrated in the program guide.

Personally, I would encourage the Low Power broadcasters to build digital plants ASAP and to start populating these channels with innovative new services that can attract viewers. They will no longer be limited to one program stream. They can populate their multiplexes with all kinds of sub-channels that are easily programmed and capable of carrying "banner ads." Former CBA President Greg Herman, who owns WatchTV, which hold several licenses in the Portland area, talked about having "web cams" in popular tourist areas like the coast or Oregon, so that people could easily observe conditions at these locations. And then there are all of those traffic cams that allow you to monitor the conditions on major highways.

At any rate, life has never been easy for the LPTV community. Hopefully the transition to digital could help.

Regards
Craig


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