Future of Televison

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Comment by Vicki Trusselli on July 15, 2008 at 2:02pm

I am using a converter box, Sony, to convert analog to digital on my HP computer for video editing. I have been using it since 2000. That is for my computer not my TV. The DTV is just another form of more control and a lapse in judgement for the powers that be.

Comment by Wayne Caswell on July 8, 2008 at 3:06pm

The DTV Transition Time Bomb

Real world tests by TeleTruth.org uncovered serious problems with the Analog-to-Digital transition that will affect millions of Americans currently receiving terrestrial TV broadcasts when the FCC takes back analog spectrum in February 17, 2009. The FCC offers a $40 rebate for converter boxes but never tested them and neglects to warn consumers of pending problems. When the deadline approaches and they start transitioning in mass, the @#%$ will hit the fan. Fly-by-night scam artists disguised as “experts” will emerge to take advantage of the senior, disabled, low-income, non-English-speaking minority, rural/tribal, and others.

Background:
• High-power TV stations currently broadcast both analog and digital signals, and Congress is requiring them to return analog spectrum to the FCC in February. The DTV transition deadline was originally scheduled for 2006 and was postponed several times already, so it’s unlikely to move again.
• Three other categories of broadcast TV stations ("low-power," "Class A," and "translator") have no statutory deadline for digital broadcasting.
• An FCC website (www.dtv.gov) describes the DTV transition and a Congressional program for receiving off-air TV ($40 rebate coupon for converter boxes).
• DTV benefits include (1) better TV picture/sound and (2) more programming options (multicasting). For consumers already receiving a strong analog signal, the transition should be relatively easy and the benefits well worth it.
• However, if analog signal strength is so weak that stations have lots of snow or ghosting, then DTV will likely show lots of pixilation or no picture at all. That’s what Tom Allibone noticed in his rural home because of attenuation over distance (www.teletruth.org/DTV.htm). And my son noticed it in his Houston apartment in the Galleria area because tall buildings block and reflect signals.
• Signal quality can often be improved with roof-top high-gain antennas, signal amplifiers or other equipment. That’s not necessary for analog TV when you’re OK with poor picture quality, but can be required for digital, and the extra costs can far exceed the $40 coupon credit.
• Some percent of legacy TVs have built-in antennas and can’t even connect to a DTV converter box, but we don’t know how many.
• We don’t yet know how bad the problem is or how many won’t be able to get DTV at all (e.g. rental units unable to install roof-top antennas).
• Because there’s little or no warning from the FCC, Consumer Electronics Association or broadcasters, consumers aren’t expecting problems; and they’ll be blindsided by any extra cost and effort required to resolve signal problems.
• TeleTruth speculates that the lack of testing and public information is an intentional part of a plan to milk billions of dollars from selling radio spectrum and/or to move consumers to cable, satellite or Internet TV. But I prefer to think it’s just government oversight.
• Rather than scream, “The sky is falling,” I’ve been working with Bruce Kushnick and Tom Allibone of TeleTruth on a plan to become the heros that FCC commissioners and congressional policy makers will be looking for, and to find other hero partners.

The Plan so far:
• Establish TeleTruth as a “go to” source for proactive information and tested solutions.
• Size the number of affected users, which starts at 13.5M (CEA) and ranges upward, depending on who’s reporting.
• Quantify and categorize the number of failures with a mechanism for gathering test experiences in rural (distance) and urban (reflection) environments.
• Identify potential solutions and build a knowledge base of which apply to each use case.
• Identify and recruit hero partners, including reputable service organizations like BestBuy (Geek Squad), Radio Shack and Sears.
• Create a public awareness campaign, including press releases, a web site knowledge base and a way to report experiences.