[opendtv] Re: Toward digital TV
- From: Mark Aitken <maitken@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:50:42 -0500
IF (BIG IF) it had worked "out of the box", it could have easily
happened. (/I could say a lot more, but at this particular time, simple
seems to be more than enuf'.../)
All it takes is a few committed "Ambassadors" from ALL the involved
parties...
Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
>A couple of comments.
>
>1. The 2006 date was not at all a joke, back in 1997 when it
>was set, and it could easily have been met. It would simply
>have required Congress and the FCC to do two years ago what
>they have done now. Which is, (a) include cable and satellite
>in the 85 percent figure of households not dependent solely
>on analog OTA TV, and (b) set a date when all TV appliances
>sold would require digital reception capability. Anything
>short of that would only cause any analog shutoff to drag
>out ad infinitum.
>
>2. How odd that they consider an analog tier retained on
>cable systems to be "consumer-unfriendly." As if somehow,
>forcing people to buy HD sets is "consumer-friendly." Maybe
>they think that any set which receives an HD signal gets to
>display HD images, and that none of this should cost the
>consumer anything.
>
>Bert
>
>------------------------------------------
>http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/12/12/toward_dig
>ital_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.
>
>Copyright 2005 Globe Newspaper Company.
>
>
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--
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Regards,
Mark A. Aitken
Director, Advanced Technology
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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