Bob Miller wrote: > I wonder how many OTA viewers are left in Wilmington today? From today's Delaware Online: <http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080912/OPINION11/809120341/1004/OPINION> ------------------------------------------------ This is only a test -- but digital TV switch went over well so far September 12, 2008Citizens of that other Wilmington -- the one in North Carolina -- did the rest of the country a favor this week when they became the first to switch to digital television.
AdvertisementThe switch, which will bring clearer pictures and better sound on less bandwidth, is the first major TV innovation since the Tournament of Roses Parade was broadcast in color in 1954. Digital transmissions are compressed so companies can offer more channels in high definition without replacing cables.
Things went smoothly when Wilmington stations flipped the switch Monday and turned the nation's 135th largest television market into a guinea pig for the national conversion on Feb. 17.
Only about one-half of 1 percent of television owners called the Federal Communications Commission Monday. The largest number of calls came from the 232 viewers who couldn't pick up NBC because its analog signal reached farther than its digital one. There were 161 callers who couldn't get their new converter boxes working. And 178 watchers had inadequate antennae or no antennae at all.
Although the government provided each household with two $40 coupons to defray the cost of a converter box, a few residents didn't look for boxes until after their television screens went blank save for the message, "If you are viewing this message, this television set has not yet been upgraded to digital." By then, Wal-Mart was out of boxes and most other stores were running low.
Wilmington's results portend an easy transition if this Wilmington is typical of other U.S. cities -- but it probably isn't.
For one thing, the mayor said the FCC handed out brochures at blueberry festivals, fireworks shows and hog callings. The number of Wilmington residents whose televisions can receive only analog broadcasts is smaller than the national average. Another factor is the flat terrain around that Wilmington and its suburbs. Mountainous regions might experience different results.
Also, the small percentage of calls received in Wilmington, N.C., would equal about a half million callers looking for assistance if that share were multiplied over the entire United States.
Wilmington's transition worked because everyone held a corner of the blanket. Firefighters took converter boxes to shut-ins. Students from Elon University fielded calls from the confused.
If the national conversion goes as smoothly, digital will provide us with high-quality picture and sound. Now, if only someone would improve the programming.
On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 5:18 PM, Cliff Benham <flyback1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Manfredi, Albert E wrote:Commissioner Copps suggests that the FCC has to give more specific advice to consumers, for the DTV transition. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-285373A1.pdfWhat about 'fixing' the 8VSB system or replacing it with something that actually works?We are Americans and have to wait for utter and complete failure before considering any change. We stay the course, we are not quitters etc. etc . It is called running on stupid. Whatever system your running you set it on the stupid setting and let her rip. The nuanced setting or any setting with even a hint nuance is for un-American elite types. Any COFDM system with all those carriers is nuanced. Single carrier, single purpose, damn the torpedoes and lets kill free OTA once and for all. I wonder how many OTA viewers are left in Wilmington today? Bob Miller----------------------------------------------------------------------You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.
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