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February 17, 2009March 14, 2008There is a day I am not looking forward to and that date is February 17, 2009, which is the date that Analog television dies.
This entire move seems like a giant step backwards and not a move ahead. And I really hate to say it, but analog television just works; ATSC digital television on the other hand does not. I am always testing out new equipment and live in the grade a signal area for most of Connecticut’s off air channels. Yet even in this prime receiving location using the latest technology I have trouble picking up most of the digital broadcasts available in my area. If I am having trouble picking up these signals imagine the issues non-technical people are going to have. In addition a full power ATSC signal does not seem to go as far as an analog signal. Case in point is WFSB a channel out of Hartford, their analog signal is a powerhouse and can be easily received over most parts of the state, however their full power digital signal is really hard to pick up if your 20 – 25 miles away. Some of those folks who are further away may have success picking up the signal but only with a very good rooftop antenna with a rotor. Most folks in this day and age don’t have one of these old fashioned antennas on their house, nor do they want one. So for many folks when February 17th of 2009 rolls around many of the channels they get currently will no longer be receivable without specialized equipment, cable television or satellite television. From where I sit it appears that the NAB sees these issues and wants the satellite companies to do its job to deliver its channels to their viewers. This I find totally unacceptable the satellite companies spend millions to launch these satellites and the spectrum is scarce. It appears to me that the NAB wants a free ride at the expense of the satellite companies. The satellite companies WANT to deliver their customers HD locals, but they can only do it if there is transponder space available and if that DMA will make them money. Satellite companies are not in the business of putting up channels to lose money. Instead of the NAB trying to fix its members issues they are instead trying to put the burden the Satellite Companies. Why are they not screaming that digital television is still not ready for primetime yet? That “B” in the NAB stands for “Broadcasting” and its something that they are not doing to well especially if in 2009 viewer in their licensed coverage areas cannot receive adequate digital signals. The digital transition is not a satellite issue it is a broadcast issue. For it to work the broadcasters must fix their own broadcasts, not try to bully other companies into doing the transmission for them.
Have a great weekend everyone! Posted by Scott Greczkowski on March 14, 2008 | Comments (10)
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 Kyle Luna commented: Actually there are portable ATSC TV's out there. Insignia has a model called the NS-7HTV.
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 Ben Drawbaugh commented: Sure ATSC isn't perfect, but no doubt it's much better than NTSC.
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 Bubba commented: What do you want to bet that even if one Joe Schmoe out in the boondocks loses his reception the media and politicians will be crying like banshees? God help us if this Joe Schmoe is a minority! It's true some people who receive TV by antenna may have to spring for cable or satellite but there is no inalienable right to free TV that I know of. There are substantial benefits to the switchover, MUCH better picture, additional channels, on screen guide, etc. so it's time to move into the 21st Century with the rest of the world. Remember how people were so concerned that the end of the world was coming on 01/01/2000 when all of our computers were going to self destruct? We survived that date and me thinks we will also survive 02/17/2009 without insurmountable problems. Bubba says "Bring it (ATSC) on!"
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 me commented: YOu neglect to factor in that not all stations are running their digital at full power. Nor are they currently on the channel they will be using on Feb. 18 2009. So, we really don't know if this will even be the issue everyone thinks it will be.
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 Kyle Luna commented: Many stations also plan to begin filing for new parameters that enhance their coverage beginning Monday when the filing freeze is lifted by the FCC. There's also many stations that were limited to what their digital power can be right now because there's an analog station or two within a certain distance on the same number and they will be able to increase power once the analog stations cut off. There's also the analog interference factor where any analog co-channel interference being recieved will kill the reception of a digital channel.
March 14, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 doo hickey commented: mr Drawbaugh sez: "Broadcast TV is not a right." where did that come from? of course it's a right. the airwaves belong to the PUBLIC. as long as the PUBLIC have spent the requisite loot on a receiver, they have the absolute RIGHT to partake of the broadcaster's bounty. "Broadcast TV is not a right." LOFL!!!!
March 17, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 Wilde commented: Who camps with a 5" TV? Normally I tend to agree with your stance on what you post here, but why insist on supporting analog longer than needed? We all know TV stations won't make the move on their own and required the Gov't to give them a little push. While I disagree with this "push" it's in the best interest of us all to move to digital.
April 3, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 StevenFromColorado commented: Can't wait until the gov't does the same tactics when eliminating all internal combustion auto using fossil fuels
December 31, 2008
In response to: February 17, 2009 mike commented: are you a retard or what or what? i am guessing that writing a column for consumer electronics is not your usual gig. i have seen many good portable atsc lcd televisions, and the reception is awsome. at my house i used to get only 2 ota ntsc channels and they were fuzzy, now i get 12 ota atsc channels with perfect picture. idiots like you are the reason the digitial transition has been delayed for more than 10 years now.
January 23, 2009
In response to: February 17, 2009 john commented: Digital looks great though in some areas repeater transmitters may be needed to boost reception.
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