[opendtv] Re: Copps proposes more FCC action
- From: "Bob Miller" <robmxa@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:15:59 -0400
What does going smoothly mean? They had 7% OTA only viewers before and
only 2% now but there was no riot?
What does successful mean? Does it mean that there was no loss of OTA viewers?
With the wonderful things digital TV can bring to your home you might
expect that successful would mean that over 70% of homes switched to
digital TV over the last ten years like has happened in the UK and the
UK doesn't even have HD OTA.
Shouldn't we be doing better than the UK because of the extra draw of HD?
How do you explain what looks so far to me as an utter disaster that
the FCC is trying to get through with the least problems and not the
incredible success we should have, could have had?
Bob Miller
On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:00 PM, Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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, 2008
>
> Citizens 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.
> Advertisement
>
> The 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.pdf
>>>
>>> What 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
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