[opendtv] Broadcasters, FCC Assess DTV Transition

From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 18:29:00 -0500
I think a problem with the half-hearted approach the FCC took to this
transition, at the 11th hour, is that many of the DTV stations that shut
down their analog signal are still operating, in digital, at their
compromised in-transition mode. Would be nice to have someone address
this fact, just acknowledge it.

I did notice that some stations have modified their digital power output
plans, compared with what they were planning until quite recently. One
example is WMPT, Annapolis.

Currently, 5 MW ERP analog, 150 KW ERP digital. That's 15 dB less for
the digital. Probably not "equal coverage."

Previously, they were planning 315 KW ERP after transition. Still 12 dB
less than analog, still unlikely to achieve "equal coverage."

Now, WMPT is planning 516 KW ERP. That's 9.8 dB less than analog.
Getting warmer.

Another example is our local ABC7 (WJLA). It's going back to VHF.
Previously, they were planning ~13 KW ERP. Now they have upped that to
30 KW ERP, which is 10 dB less than their current analog VHF output.

The other station moving back to VHF in this market is still planning
12.6 KW ERP, or 14 dB less than their analog signal now.

Also, NBC11 Baltimore is still planning 5 KW ERP when they move back to
VHF, a full 18 dB less than their current analog VHF output.

Bert

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http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/75776

Broadcasters, FCC Assess DTV Transition
03.06.2009

Although broadcasters successfully weathered the first mass analog
shutoff last month, a number of challenges remain before the final
curtain call on June 12.

That was the takeaway message from yesterday's FCC meeting, in which
representatives from various industries and the federal government
updated the commission on the transition's progress.

"We have a long way to go," Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps said,
adding that in the remaining time left-now less than 100 days-the
industry "must put consumers first-particularly the most vulnerable
among us."

Copps lauded the trade press'-and local stations'-reporting on the
changes in the transition date, but criticized the mainstream media's
coverage, calling it "more than a little wanting."

"Most Americans watching the national news maybe heard a small snippet
about the transition deadline being extended to June 12 but they heard
precious little about the fact that many stations would transition
earlier," he said. "I don't know about you, but I ran into a lot of
people who told me nothing would be happening transition-wise until
June. That was, and is, a message bound to create unnecessary
confusion."

He also urged those involved in consumer education to play it straight
and don't mince words when it comes to providing information on signal
coverage or the availability of converter boxes. Consumers "will forgive
a lot, but they won't forgive being lulled into a false sense that the
transition will be less disruptive or less expensive than it turns out
to be," he said. "With apologies to Jack Nicholson, consumers can handle
the truth."

The NAB hailed the Feb. 17 shutoff-in which 421 stations shut down their
analog signal-as a "success" driven largely by "the broadcast television
industry's $1.2 billion consumer education campaign."

NAB President David Rehr told the FCC that 97 percent of consumers were
aware of the DTV transition by last month and that less than 1 percent
of the estimated 12.4 million viewers affected by analog shutdowns on
Feb. 17 contacted the FCC call center. The association surveyed nearly
100 stations that went all digital last month and found that the "vast
majority of these stations received between 50-200 calls each."

"Most of the stations were able to answer questions either on the spot
of with a follow up call later in the day or afterwards," he said.

There are still challenges ahead, Rehr remind commissioners. These
involve updating the consumer education campaign to reflect the new
shutoff date; compiling a list of market leading stations in each DMA to
help broadcasters coordinate shutoff efforts; encouraging consumers to
test their converter boxes early, including rescanning, along with
updated information on antenna issues; and ensuring that consumers are
informed about coverage areas. He also encouraged the FCC to "bolster"
the commission's call center.
 
 
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[opendtv] Broadcasters, FCC Assess DTV Transition

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