[opendtv] Toward digital TV
- From: Monty Solomon <monty@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: undisclosed-recipient: ;
- Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 02:35:51 -0500
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/12/12/toward_digital=
_tv/
The Boston Globe
GLOBE EDITORIAL
Toward digital TV
December 12, 2005
CONGRESS IS finally getting serious about converting the nation to
digital television. It needs to set a firm deadline, provide adequate
support so people can still use older sets, and compel manufacturers
and retailers to inform consumers of the switch.
Conventional analog television signals take up broadcasting space
that could be better used for emergency and mobile services. Digital
signals are more compact and allow improvements in picture quality.
High-definition television, which offers the most detailed picture to
consumers, is a digital product.
But TV purchasers have been slow to make the switch, and a
congressionally imposed deadline of Dec. 31, 2006, is a joke. The
lawmakers acted more realistically when they passed competing bills
last month as part of budget reconciliation measures. The Senate
would put off the deadline until April 7, 2009. The House would set
the date at Dec. 31, 2008. Either is fine as long as it is firm.
After the deadline, broadcasters would no longer send a conventional
signal over the air. Cable or satellite providers would convert the
signal to analog for any customer with an old set. Those people who
want to pick up over-the-air transmissions in analog would have to
buy a converter box costing perhaps $50.
To compensate, the government should provide subsidies for converter
boxes. The Senate would allocate up to $3 billion, and the House less
than $1 billion, both from the sale of surplus broadcast frequencies.
As digital TV prices fall, the sets are becoming increasingly
popular. A $3 billion subsidy may not be necessary as many people
abandon analog. But the House figure seems low. The higher amount
should prevail.
Because high-definition television is such a big improvement, every
set ought to receive all the high-definition signals available in an
area. A section of the House bill would allow some cable operators to
offer a degraded signal for a few channels. This consumer-unfriendly
provision should be rejected.
Even as Congress proceeds to set a firm deadline for conversion to
digital, many consumers are still being offered analog sets for sale
despite their looming obsolescence. The House would compel
manufacturers and retailers to put warning stickers on boxes and in
stores. This provision may not survive because of a Senate rule that
only items having to do with spending can be included in a budget
bill. If so, Congress should pass it quickly as separate legislation.
The Federal Communications Commission ordered last month that all
sets sold in the country as of March 1, 2007, will be able to receive
digital signals. Analog television, a 1940s technology, is giving way
to better uses of valuable broadcast space.
=A9 Copyright 2005 Globe Newspaper Company.
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