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story category We Don't Need No Stinkin' DTV Delay
368 stations will make switch early....
(old news - 08:43AM Monday Feb 16 2009)
tags: Video · fcc · business · wireless · stats
While Congress recently voted to extend the transition to all digital broadcasts four months, they gave TV stations the right to cut over ahead of the deadline -- as long as they got permission from the FCC. According to newly released FCC data, 491 of the nation's 1,800 or so TV stations hoped to make the switch by February 17 -- though only the 368 of them got FCC approval (see complete list here). It's not exactly clear how this stuttered approach will be any easier than just having stuck to the original deadline in the first place. Supporters suggest it will at least give the government's re-funded converter coupon program to get coupons to everyone who wants one (or two).

Related:
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  2. U.S. Finally Tries To Figure Out Who Has Broadband
  3. NAB Sues FCC Over White Space Broadband
  4. DTV Coupon Program Back On Track
  5. FCC Votes To Investigate Wireless Industry
  6. What Network Neutrality Is REALLY About
  7. Cable Industry: Shucks, Guess Nobody Wants CableCARDs
  8. FCC Lusts After TV Industry Spectrum
Forums » We Don't Need No Stinkin' DTV Delay
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KingofCola

join:2007-02-07
Greer, SC

What a waste of time!

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight. If Obomanites want to keep the transmitters running then let them pay power bill. Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
whocares
Premium
join:2003-07-26
..

Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

WASHINGTON — With millions of U.S. viewers still apparently unprepared for the nation’s switch to digital TV, nearly 500 full-power television stations across the nation are preparing to move ahead with the transition anyway and drop traditional over-the-air broadcasts Feb. 17.

The loss of signals in those markets means that some viewers will no longer get television reception unless they have installed a digital converter box and, in some cases, purchased a new antenna.
Nielsen Co. has estimated that 6.5 million over-the-air households are unprepared for the “digital transition.” Elderly, Latino and low-income households are believed to be most affected.
“If we have a serious natural disaster and folks don’t have a TV on which to receive updates, that’s a problem,” said =============
»www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tec···126.html
--
What we know is not much.What we don't know is enormous.but NOT EVERYONE wants to admit "they don't know"
SOME PEOPLE think THEY ARE NEVER WRONG about anything

N10Cities
SILENCE I Keel You
Premium
join:2002-05-07
Roland, OK
clubs:

1 edit

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

....
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

They had to file for an STA to go dark either way. This is nothing new, and your lack of knowledge of the process is staggering.

N10Cities
SILENCE I Keel You
Premium
join:2002-05-07
Roland, OK
clubs:

3 edits

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

.....

Homunculus
Pipsquack
Premium
join:2000-12-14
Dar al-Harb
clubs:

said by N10Cities See Profile :

Uhhh.....yea.....but they have to have PERMISSION from the FCC before they can switch anyway. If they do it without permission, they can be nailed with big $$$$$ fines. Your point?
Fines are like taxes. They should just not pay them... they they'd get jobs in the Obama Administration.

Just wait folks... when the new deadline approaches, they will extend it again.

Bookmark this thread.
--
Islam is a hate crime: »www.thememriblog.org
KingofCola

join:2007-02-07
Greer, SC
If we have a serious naturtal desaster, the power is usually out. Everyone listens to battery operated radios for announcements. If the power comes back on plug in the radio or if you have a computer go to cnn.com and you got news.

exocet_cm
In memory of dadkins
Premium
join:2003-03-23
New Orleans, LA
clubs:

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

Exactly. If we have a serious natural disaster then look out your freakin window.
34702533

join:2006-07-31
Kingwood, TX

From FOX news
When Congress postponed the mandatory transition to digital TV until June, it also gave stations the option to stick to the originally scheduled date of Feb. 17. »www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,489477,00.html
Stations can switch if they want to. Our Houston stations will stick with the June 12th date.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

But they require FCC approval, so the FCC can say yea or nay.
34702533

join:2006-07-31
Kingwood, TX

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

said by Eat Me See Profile :

But they require FCC approval, so the FCC can say yea or nay.
Missed that --- problem with scanning rather than throughly reading.

On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission ordered stations that still plan to turn off analog signals on Feb. 17 to notify the FCC by Monday.

Acting Chairman Michael Copps said the commission could prohibit stations from making the switch if doing so is not in the public interest.

For instance, if all stations in a market want to turn off early, that would draw FCC scrutiny, he said at a commission meeting.
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

The FCC is trying to make sure at least one TV station in a market keeps their analog service on through June 12. It's a rather silly thing at this late date but as long as you weren't the last station in the market to file for an analog shutdown STA you'd get it.

As an aside, they had to file one for the original cut-off date too. The "approval" process is mostly administrative.
hurfy
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Spokane, WA

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

lol, that'll teach people.

They left the CW network running on analog here

Possibly the FOX station, the linked page says FOX and gives the call letters for CBS.

I assume the ION network is still on analog but they don't seem to be rolling over to digital. Low-power station perhaps? Not interested enough to try analog pass-thru to check

Smith6612
Premium
join:2008-02-01
united state
·Dish Network
·Verizon Online DSL
·FrontierNet Intern..


1 edit
One of my local stations I know for a fact is switching off their analog tonight. I'm not sure about the other ones we have in our area though. But I already have satellite and a computer with a Digital TV tuner in it, so I'm pretty much set. I was over at a friend's hooking up their DSL when I saw the notice flash across their screen. We were watching Fox, so I'm not sure if Time Warner had inserted that into the video feed.
JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA
·Verizon FIOS

said by whocares See Profile :

WASHINGTON — With millions of U.S. viewers still apparently unprepared for the nation’s switch to digital TV, nearly 500 full-power television stations across the nation are preparing to move ahead with the transition anyway and drop traditional over-the-air broadcasts Feb. 17.

The loss of signals in those markets means that some viewers will no longer get television reception unless they have installed a digital converter box and, in some cases, purchased a new antenna.
Nielsen Co. has estimated that 6.5 million over-the-air households are unprepared for the “digital transition.” Elderly, Latino and low-income households are believed to be most affected.
“If we have a serious natural disaster and folks don’t have a TV on which to receive updates, that’s a problem,” said =============
»www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tec···126.html
Actually, per Nielson, that number is 5.8 million as of the beginning of February. But Congress, in their infinite wisdom, decided that too much money is what's called for here. First off, the notion that the original pool of money ran out isn't quite right. Yeah they allocated all the coupons per what was in the original pot, but the coupons expire after 90 days. Once they do, the money goes back into the pot to go to the person at the top of the list.

As others have said, there are lots of people who got coupons 'just in case' they thought they would need them. Alot decided not to use them and the money goes back into the pot.

As for Congress's role in this. In the latest stimulus bill, they allocated an additional $650 million for new coupons. Ok, let's do the math here, shall we? Let's assume that Nielson's numbers are correct. Let's also assume that every single one of those households needs converter boxes. And further let's assume that NO more money frees up as existing coupons expire. And finally let's assume that every one of those households gets the maximum allocation of 2 coupons per house. That means that we would need:

5.8 Million houses * $80/house (each coupon is worth $40) = $464 million.

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?

cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

said by JPL See Profile :

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?
This is the government were talking about. A 40% markup for "administrative costs" actually sounds a little low.

jhboricua
ExMod 2000-01
join:2000-06-06
Minneapolis, MN
clubs:

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

It would be the same if it were the free market, except the extra 40% goes to the company CEO and his boys.

Chiadi

@rr.com
Hey, don't try to confuse us with real world facts and figures - we're trying to create a Socialist Nanny state here, dangit!
"No Idiot Left Behind".

tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..

About 40 million coupons have been requested by the end of 2008, valued at $1.6 billion. Households that subscribe to Cable or Sat for primary TV may still use over-air-antenna OTA) for other TVs within the home. It is likely many people ordered coupons who do not really need them. As they expire money is made available to issues new coupons. That is what is happening now. Coupon program maxed out funding and is only able to issue coupons as previously issued one expire.

The additional funding is designed to speed up ability to issue coupons. When program expires unused funds will be returned to Treasury.

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CECB

/tom

mattjhsn
Keymaster To The Gatekeeper
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Minneapolis, MN


1 edit
said by JPL See Profile :

said by whocares See Profile :

5.8 Million houses * $80/house (each coupon is worth $40) = $464 million.

But they allocated $650 million? What's the extra $186 million for?
The extra $186 million is for black ops of course.
number_one

join:2001-11-30
Midlothian, VA
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

no, it's for creating another committee to figure out how many more committees need to be formed to decide how many more coupons need to be issued...

seriously, leave it to the government to spend crazy amounts of money on something and still miss the point entirely. I mean, really, who out there can afford a TV but can't afford a freakin converter? Is this really where our government needs to spend our tax dollars?

mattjhsn
Keymaster To The Gatekeeper
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Minneapolis, MN

Re: Some stations plan digital switch despite delay vote

said by number_one See Profile :

seriously, leave it to the government to spend crazy amounts of money on something and still miss the point entirely. I mean, really, who out there can afford a TV but can't afford a freakin converter? Is this really where our government needs to spend our tax dollars?
That was the first thought I had when I heard about the coupon program. Why does the government care if I watch TV or not? Shouldn't it be 'tough cookie' if you can't afford 40 bucks to watch TV again after the switch? Maybe our collective intelligence would go up if fewer people were watching after the change over. Of course with the higher intelligence they would then get a better job, be able to afford to buy the coupons and then start watching TV again.

Last year I was first in line to apply for for a coupon because who knows when this bad idea would be corrected. I guess I should have known better, it's the government. They don't correct bad ideas, they relish them.

printscreen

join:2003-11-01
Juana Diaz, PR
·Coqui/PRTC

What about radio??? They still work and besides... the most common instances when emergency information must be delivered, power goes out anyway. People, including the government, have forgotten that radio is still widely used and the best alternative to television in an emergency.

burgerwars

join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable


1 edit
said by whocares See Profile :

“If we have a serious natural disaster and folks don’t have a TV on which to receive updates, that’s a problem,” said =============
»www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/tec···126.html
I lived at ground zero during the Northridge Earthquake. TV didn't help me one bit, since I had no power for days. I relied on the radio and survived. Actually I had a TV that could operate on a battery or car cigarette lighter, but didn't bother. With digital TV, I haven't seen any of those cheapo handheld or itty-bitty TVs sold anymore. Are we doomed because of this? I don't think so.

Derspankster
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Marion, OH

Re: What a waste of time!

It seems there wasn't enough money appropriated to subsidize the number of converters needed in the first place. Not that I'm playing the blame game or anything.
--
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong

battleop

join:2005-09-28
00000

Re: What a waste of time!

There probably was enough money but people who didn't need it took it anyway.

Derspankster
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Marion, OH
·RoadRunner Cable
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: What a waste of time!

said by battleop See Profile :

There probably was enough money but people who didn't need it took it anyway.
You mean we should be checking ebay for converter box deals?
--
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong

battleop

join:2005-09-28
00000

Re: What a waste of time!

Maybe after the people who took the coupon figure out they didn't need the box in the first place. I know plenty of people who got the coupon who don't understand they don't need it. I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.

Derspankster
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Marion, OH
·RoadRunner Cable
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: What a waste of time!

said by battleop See Profile :

Maybe after the people who took the coupon figure out they didn't need the box in the first place. I know plenty of people who got the coupon who don't understand they don't need it. I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
I know no one who took a coupon. Even my 81 year old mother knew she didn't need one because she had cable. However, I'm sure someone, somewhere was confused, despite the myriad of announcements and explanations.
--
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong

stevek1949
We're not in Kansas anymore

join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: What a waste of time!

said by Derspankster See Profile :

said by battleop See Profile :

Maybe after the people who took the coupon figure out they didn't need the box in the first place. I know plenty of people who got the coupon who don't understand they don't need it. I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
I know no one who took a coupon. Even my 81 year old mother knew she didn't need one because she had cable. However, I'm sure someone, somewhere was confused, despite the myriad of announcements and explanations.
My FIL took two coupons, even though I told him that a converter wasn't needed. He said that the got them "just in case" he needed them. He wasn't about to purchase the converters on his dime, though.

I know MANY people that took the same "just in case" attitude. There are lots out there.
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

Re: What a waste of time!

They expire in a couple of months after issuance so those aren't the problem. The program only pays out when a coupon is redeemed. This program was under-funded from the start, however, and if you want to point fingers at the culprits you'll have to go back a couple of years.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast

My 56 year old mother insists that she doesn't have an ATSC tuner in her television and that she needs a converter even though she can tune to a channel and receive a black screen displaying "Digital signal is too low"...not to mention that I've told her the TV has both QAM and ATSC tuners. My point is that there are still numerous uneducated people that may have a surprise tomorrow morning.

cork1958
Cork

join:2000-02-26
Fruitport, MI
·Verizon Online DSL
·Charter Pipeline

said by battleop See Profile :

Maybe after the people who took the coupon figure out they didn't need the box in the first place. I know plenty of people who got the coupon who don't understand they don't need it. I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
Yep,
I know several people who did just this too and I know some of them are going to be sold. This was to easy of a scam for some people not take advantage of.

Totally ridiculous to have moved the date!!
--
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See 15 replies to this post

n2jtx

join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online

said by battleop See Profile :

Maybe after the people who took the coupon figure out they didn't need the box in the first place. I know plenty of people who got the coupon who don't understand they don't need it. I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
Hello! I have a basic cable feed but I also use OTA as some of the stations I can receive are not carried due to being outside the must-carry area or opted not to be carried under those rules. Also, my neighbor as an example, has DirecTV but the HD service requires an external antenna to receive the local signals.

harryjames

@embarqhsd.net

said by battleop See Profile :

I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
I'm sure you know someone with a portable TV. That's why I needed mine.
tbone2006

join:2006-07-22
Abilene, TX

1 edit
I watch over the air tv for free HD. Good to meet you.

battleop

join:2005-09-28
00000

Re: What a waste of time!

Ok, let's review my post.

"I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore."

I don't know you soooooo that means that I am not talking about you.
ydoucare

join:2003-03-12
Rensselaer, IN
same here. OTA HD + Windows Media Center =

DavePR

join:2008-06-04
·DSL EXTREME

said by battleop See Profile :

...I don't think I know anyone who only watches OTA tv anymore.
Over the Air (aka OTA) picture quality blows away cable and/or satellite. If I had the option I'd dump cable in a flash. Great way to save money in these troubled times.

battleop

join:2005-09-28
00000

Re: What a waste of time!

Direct TV has an HD feed of our locals. When I am watching the news or channel surfing I watch our locals on Direct TV. When I watch Lost I watch it OTA. There is just no comparison between the two.
neftv

join:2000-10-01
Broomall, PA

1 edit
I agree with Cola. Also, let alone the technical and other financial burden of having set up tower crews and transmitter reconfigurations for many of the stations. And the coordination of many frequency swaps that are happening.
afiggatt

join:2007-07-12
Sterling, VA

said by KingofCola See Profile :

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight.
The switch is/was at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, not tonight (Feb. 16).
MOTO6809

join:2007-11-05
Springfield, MA

Re: What a waste of time!

said by afiggatt See Profile :

said by KingofCola See Profile :

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight.
The switch is/was at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, not tonight (Feb. 16).
A lot of people have the time messed up..

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

said by afiggatt See Profile :

said by KingofCola See Profile :

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight.
The switch is/was at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 17, not tonight (Feb. 16).
Um no it's tonight. As in 1 more hour in the EST.

tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..

Re: What a waste of time!

said by BF69 See Profile :

Um no it's tonight. As in 1 more hour in the EST.
Here in Southern NH local PBS station, WENH, is shutting down analog at 8:30 AM tomorrow Feb 17. Since analog shutdown no no longer needs to be coordinated stations have more flexibility to decide when to pull the plug.

/tom
nasadude

join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
·Comcast

said by KingofCola See Profile :

.... Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
because the govt f'd up the transition and they don't care what they have to do to prevent granny from losing her TV.

See 10 replies to this post

NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX

What burden? They've been paying those bills just fine the last 40+ years. I think they can wait a few more months. They should be happy energy costs have decreased a little from last year.

Besides, the power costs is minimal compared to the profit they make on the commercials and other streams of money that comes from their programming.

Lets get these overpaid actors to take a pay cut. Some of these TV actors are being paid 5 million dollars per 30 minute episode they star in.

tschmidt
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join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
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Re: What a waste of time!

said by NOCMan See Profile :

They've been paying those bills just fine the last 40+ years. I think they can wait a few more months. They should be happy energy costs have decreased a little from last year.
Our local PBS station is shutting off analog 2/17. Estimated it would cost them $60,000 to continue simulcasting until June 12. Have been operating at reduced power until they are able to drop analog and once they do will move temporary DTV antenna higher permanent antenna once they no longer need to transmit analog.

Simulcasting represents an additional expense does not increase viewing area.

In our metro area there are 21 full power stations. 2 have already shut down analog and 6 more will do so tomorrow.

/tom
KingofCola

join:2007-02-07
Greer, SC
·AT&T DSL Service

FCC mandated the switch so broadcatsers had no choice, but to run two transmitters. If I have the option to cut costs I am doing it.

Profit, you mean they make more money then it costs to product it, I think it is called capitalism. I don't care how much they make. The more broadcatsers make the more successful they are because the better the programming they offer. We consumers make that happen. If you don't like it don't watch TV.
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

said by NOCMan See Profile :

What burden? {etc}
Let's see you run a small business with unexpected utility expenses of 25% or more of budget. In fact, it's probably more since ATSC transmitters are generally lower power than the equivalent NTSC transmitter.

What production companies pay actors is outrageously irrelevant.

You clearly have no idea about what you are talking about.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.

nwrickert
sand groper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-09-04
Geneva, IL
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T Midwest

Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
Personally, I think they should have stuck with the Feb 17th date. However, I'm not shedding any tears over the cost to broadcasters. After all, this is about them keeping their audience that generates the advertising revenue that pays them the big bucks.
--
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Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
·PenTeleData
·Future Nine Corpor..
·VOIPo
·Vonage

Re: What a waste of time!

said by nwrickert See Profile :

Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
Personally, I think they should have stuck with the Feb 17th date. However, I'm not shedding any tears over the cost to broadcasters. After all, this is about them keeping their audience that generates the advertising revenue that pays them the big bucks.
Affiliates of the big 4 usually charge retransmission fees to cable and sat providers.

This gets passed on to you in the form of higher cable and satellite bills.

So don't think the broadcasters are just eating it. When ad revenue takes a dive, they have to make it up somewhere. This is when they shake down the cable companies for more money come contract renewal time.

This is an expensive business to be in as you may have figured out by now.

insomniac84

join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

said by KingofCola See Profile :

If Obomanites want to keep the transmitters running then let them pay power bill.
I highly doubt there are many Obama supporters that want this delay. At least there will probably be none on this site. Most people are against the delay. And technically the people who would support a delay such as confused old people and people from rural areas that will lose service when the switch happens, would be the demographic that probably voted for John McCain.
vinnie97

join:2003-12-05
Mesquite, TX

Re: What a waste of time!

What about the poor/minorities who haven't received their coupons yet?

Homunculus
Pipsquack
Premium
join:2000-12-14
Dar al-Harb
clubs:

Re: What a waste of time!

said by vinnie97 See Profile :

What about the poor/minorities who haven't received their coupons yet?
Screw them. You don't have to spend one red cent to apply for a coupon. All it takes is calling a toll free number. They had plenty of time.
--
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knightmb
Everybody Lies

join:2003-12-01
Franklin, TN
·AT&T DSL Service

said by KingofCola See Profile :

All broadcasters should switch tonight at midnight. If Obomanites want to keep the transmitters running then let them pay power bill. Why are we putting the burden on broadcatsers to keep paying the power bill for the outdated transmitters.
The fact that they can switch but chose not to kind of proves that point that not all stations were really going to be ready by the deadline.

I think a lot of you "switch because only old, stupid, whatever people don't know any better" are now eating your own crow.

So I guess the "Obomanites" (very cute, kind of like McSame I guess) weren't part of the conspiracy after all?
--
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

Re: What a waste of time!

said by knightmb See Profile :

The fact that they can switch but chose not to kind of proves that point that not all stations were really going to be ready by the deadline.
They are ready. Some are anxious to get it done but can't because their post-transition digital channel is still in use by an analog nearby. The ones who decided to hang onto analog until June are doing it mostly because February is a ratings period.

I laugh at the righties who are trying to paint this as some sort of left-wing Obama plot, while in reality the converter coupon program was hatched and bobbled by Bush's NTIA.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.

DTV

@qwest.net
The fact is that this transition has been forwarned, advertised and tested for the past two years. If the public is not ready, then they obviously deserve what they get.

N10Cities
SILENCE I Keel You
Premium
join:2002-05-07
Roland, OK
clubs:

Re: The list of 368

Sweet! All of my area stations got approval...

Mactron
el camino Real
Premium
join:2001-12-16
CM94sv

Re: The list of 368

said by N10Cities See Profile :

Sweet! All of my area stations got approval...
Here too. All have been running crawlers on their Analog signals continuously since gaining FCC approval.

Bye, Bye Analog.
--
If only the Verizon CSRs worked this well.

Smith6612
Premium
join:2008-02-01
united state
Looks like all of my stations are switching off their analog as well. One is going to run a light light though. So how about that

tubbynet
reminds me of the danse russe
Premium
join:2008-01-16
Chandler, AZ
·Cox HSI
·Callcentric
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
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ironic that only four stations in the phoenix metro area (after a cursory glance) have the early nod. of those, two are actually hispanic-catering stations (telemundo and mtv tr3s). i would think that this would be the most ill-prepared demographic in this area (if for nothing else than the language barrier).

q.
afiggatt

join:2007-07-12
Sterling, VA

Over 700 stations will be digital only by Feb. 18

Those numbers are misleading because they are not including stations which have already shut down their analog broadcast in the past 6 months or in a few cases, stations which shut down their analog broadcast years ago.

There are still around 21 stations waiting for FCC approval to shut analog down at midnight on Feb. 17 and some others which may change their mind and keep the analog on, so the number of stations shutting down the analog tomorrow in still in flux. Some stations already have or will flash cut their digital broadcast channel to their analog channel, so re-scans with the digital ATSC tuner may be needed in many cities.

The current count is that 247 stations have already ended (or never had) analog broadcasts. Including these, at least 700+ stations will be digital only by Feb. 18. Could be 780 stations, I need to check with Falcon_77 about what his breakdown means. With 1809 full power stations, around 40% of all stations will be digital only. This may overload Trip's website, but a complete list of the stations can be found at »www.rabbitears.info/ss/.
me1212

join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO
·VOIPo

Doesn't matter to me.

I already switched over last year(got the locals from dish and a plasma, and an LCD last month), so when ever the guy want to flip the switch is their choice. If they want to do both until the cut off date let 'em if they want to do it before then let 'em. I don't think the constitution say you have to be able to get tv, correct me if I am wrong.

birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS

Great way to test the transition.

Let 20% of the stations make the switch. See how many people are unprepared. It would depend on who is unprepared and what kind of voice they have. High-density areas served by cable TV would probably have the least complaints. Areas with no access to cable would probably have the highest.

Stations in the Providence, RI market are planning on turning off analog. Local PBS WSBE is already digital-only. Their analog transmitter failed in January, and it will cost too much to repair it to run for the remaining month, so they said "there you go". Complaints have been few, but maybe it's an indication of who watches it as well.
CowboyJMB

join:2008-12-10

What happened to the 123 stations?

What happened to the 123 stations that were deemed to pose a "significant risk"? I know they had a deadline to agree to the RIDICULOUS requirements of the FCC by 6pm last Friday, but did any of them make it through? Would be a shame if they didn't.

Anyways, more power to the stations that are switching on the original date, I know a majority of the stations near where I live in Reading, PA are shutting off their analog. They are smart for doing so! I wish ALL the stations would have done this. That would show up their precious delay bill.

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day

join:2006-07-30
Ocean Gate, NJ

Too bad peepe

quote:
We Don't Need No Stinkin' DTV Delay
368 stations will make switch early....
That is great news.

MSNBC has a sob story about the transition: "Isidro Diaz surfs channels on his old TV about three hours a night in the trailer he rents for $350 a month. Come Tuesday, his limited choice of programs will be much more limited."

The article goes on to say that to poor Isidro, a dtv converter box just isn't a viable option... "He recently shopped at an electronics store for a digital converter box for the $40 used Sony TV he bought from a newspaper classified ad four years ago. But the $60 converter box didn't seem worth it because he can get a new TV for a little more."

I'm sorry, if you can't afford $40-$60 for a DTV converter, then maybe you should turn the tv off and go out and make a little extra cash for that converter, tv, or whatever it is you think need.
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Too bad peepe

said by TK Junk Mail See Profile :

I'm sorry, if you can't afford $40-$60 for a DTV converter, then maybe you should turn the tv off and go out and make a little extra cash for that converter, tv, or whatever it is you think need.
But thats anti-american. The USA runs on pork and welfare to get elected.
tbone2006

join:2006-07-22
Abilene, TX
So the guy could not get a $40 coupon? It says they have "digital TV assistance centers" set up to help people like him. He could of gone there starting last January and get him a coupon.

yolarry

join:2007-12-29
Creston, WV

thanks alot

Now I gotta go to my moms with her annoying b/f to fix their stupid tv.

jsz0

join:2008-01-23
Jewett City, CT
·Comcast

Good approach

I was skeptical of President Obama's plan but it does seem to make more sense to do this in stages. Some parts of the country are more prepared than others. Get those spots out of the way first, let the less prepared areas have a few more months. In the end, it's not hurting anyone to take some extra caution with this.

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: Good approach

said by jsz0 See Profile :

I was skeptical of President Obama's plan but it does seem to make more sense to do this in stages. Some parts of the country are more prepared than others. Get those spots out of the way first, let the less prepared areas have a few more months. In the end, it's not hurting anyone to take some extra caution with this.
Do it stages not staggard. In Nashville for isntance half the station will stay analog half won't. If you want to do it stages you do it by times zones or some shit like that where ALL stations switch.
rdmiller

join:2005-09-23
Richmond, VA

A horse in this race?

For the life of me, I can't figure out why there is so much discussion of this topic on BBR. Anyone who has broadband by definition doesn't need a converter box.

Oh, right. BBRers can discuss any technology subject for an infinite period of time without repeating themselves. It's a variation of the Mobius Loop, called the BBR Loop.

Jim Gurd
Premium
join:2000-07-08
Plymouth, MI
·Comcast

Re: A horse in this race?

said by rdmiller See Profile :

Anyone who has broadband by definition doesn't need a converter box.
Huh? So a person with DSL, an analog set and no cable TV somehow no longer needs a converter box???
--
Calling an illegal alien an undocumented worker is like calling a crack dealer an unlicensed pharmacist.
Da Man

join:2008-05-08
Hanover, PA

Re: A horse in this race?

Didn't you hear, the FCC mandated that DSL/cable modems have ATSC tuners.

rec9140
Provoice just DO it

join:2003-07-29
Mulberry, FL

Just pull the plug on OTA video

Time to just pull the plug on OTA, already.

See 10 replies to this post

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Actually it's 438

The 123 denied was actually only 106 and half of those got exemptions. so 491-106+53=438. A little fact checking would do you wonders.
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

penitentiary

So who is going to upgrade all the analog TVs in American prisons? This DTV transition will be disastrous.
jakex_iii

join:2004-02-26
Rio Rancho, NM

Re: penitentiary

my impression from previous news articles is, - Cable and Satellite are standard provisions at the prisons. May not be all, but then I guess those people will have to wait.

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

Re: penitentiary

said by jakex_iii See Profile :

my impression from previous news articles is, - Cable and Satellite are standard provisions at the prisons. May not be all, but then I guess those people will have to wait.
If one can get a OTA signal inside a prison I'd be impressed and maybe worried.
pgoelz

join:2001-12-26
Rochester, MI


1 edit

DTV confusion

Interesting. I was going to set up a couple TVs and record the shutdown.... as someone born in 1947 (pretty much when analog TV broadcasting started) and as someone who has always had an interest in TV broadcasting, it seemed like a milestone that should be observed.

So I did a check of the websites for nine local stations here in Detroit to see who was switching over tomorrow. And with ONE exception, NONE OF THEM had ANYTHING on their web site that said specifically when they were going to turn analog off. The one exception (WMYD, on the list above) has a countdown clock, counting down to tomorrow night but it is buried in the clutter on their web page. On all the other web sites, all you find (and you often have to really look for it) is a re-print of the DTV FAQ (that doesn't mention any date) and sometimes a reprint of the news story about the delay to June 12th (which says genericaly that the transition must be completed "on or before" June 12th). I infer that they are waiting, but they don't really say.

And they wonder why/if the public is confused??? I find it amazing that organizations that specialize in news and information cannot be bothered to post informaiton about when they will be shutting off analog. They deserve what they may get whenever they do finally throw the switch.

Paul
--
Paul Goelz, Rochester Hills, MI

Model Helicopter, music and astronomy pages:

http://pgoelz.com

jayner

join:2001-10-30
Philadelphia, PA

1 year is enough time.

These moron's can't get a digital ready in a year then they need to lose it. WOW Osama is really impressing me so far.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest

I think people are going to love the switchover

.... If you've ever had the problem with Ghosting, bad reception, snow, interference, etc etc that makes watching many stations OTA with analog you're in for a treat.

The way digital works is an all or nothing proposition, if you get a halfway decent signal, you'll have a picture perfect image. If your signal is so degraded you won't get the channel at all (but if it was that bad it would be crap on analog too.)

I'm thinking these folks are in for a real treat.... good, watchable TV.

In fact the HD is even better then Cable, Dish, etc etc
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..

Re: I think people are going to love the switchover

said by KrK See Profile :

if you get a halfway decent signal, you'll have a picture perfect image. If your signal is so degraded you won't get the channel at all (but if it was that bad it would be crap on analog too.)
That is the crux of the problem. Those of us in fringe area willing to put up with snowy picture, even with high quality outdoor antenna, get perfect picture on some channels and nothing all all most days on several others.

In fairness some of the weaker channels may get better after transition but now we need to wait until mid June to find out.

The other folks affected by switchover are urban dwellers suffering from multipath due to nearby high rises.

/tom

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

Re: I think people are going to love the switchover

I think the Digital handles the multipath problem better then analog. You certainly don't get any ghosting.
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

Re: I think people are going to love the switchover

There can't be ghosting with ATSC since the signal is data not scan lines. The jury is still out about multipath but a couple of observations of channel 2's analog vs. what it takes to get their interim digital on channel 3 from the same antenna makes me think it is damn robust...channel 2 is almost unwatchabe but 2.1 is clear albeit on the ragged edge of sync. The bigger issue seems to be electrical interference from devices in the house.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.

tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..

said by KrK See Profile :

I think the Digital handles the multipath problem better then analog.
As RadioDoc See Profile posted due to way image is encoded it is impossible to get ghosting on DTV.

Newer TV receiver have exotic signal processing function that eliminates negative effect of multipath if it is not too severe. Severe in the sense the greater the delay the harder it is to deal with.

Being in rural NH multipath is a problem due to terrain. I have not noticed any problems even when antenna is turned off axis and analog picture suffers from severe ghosting.

Now if only weaker stations were able to boost signal strength by 10 dB our situation would be ideal.

/tom

Koil
Premium
join:2002-09-10
West Columbia, SC
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

Just more coddling...

Why this is necessary is completely beyond me. How is delaying this going to effect anything? Those who don't have one now, more than likely won't have one then, either.

But I bet ya this as well....if they didn't delay the date, there would be a lot of ppl getting off their ass and either figuring out WHY they have no TV (they'd have to be under a rock to not know) or going about figuring a way to watch it. Plain and simple, this is more hand holding from the govt. to assist ppl and make govt. a "provider" in their life, something they can't do without, instead of pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and getting the shit done themselves.

Its a joke.
--
Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
-Mark Twain

Homunculus
Pipsquack
Premium
join:2000-12-14
Dar al-Harb
clubs:

Re: Just more coddling...

said by Koil See Profile :

Why this is necessary is completely beyond me. How is delaying this going to effect anything? Those who don't have one now, more than likely won't have one then, either.

But I bet ya this as well....if they didn't delay the date, there would be a lot of ppl getting off their ass and either figuring out WHY they have no TV (they'd have to be under a rock to not know) or going about figuring a way to watch it. Plain and simple, this is more hand holding from the govt. to assist ppl and make govt. a "provider" in their life, something they can't do without, instead of pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and getting the shit done themselves.

Its a joke.
How dare you suggest people actually do something for themselves!
--
Islam is a hate crime: »www.thememriblog.org

Koil
Premium
join:2002-09-10
West Columbia, SC
clubs:

Re: Just more coddling...

I know...I know...I'm a prick

Mactron
el camino Real
Premium
join:2001-12-16
CM94sv

Local HP Stations here...

Are really pushing the DTV switch here tomorrow night @ 11:59 pm. Constant crawler on the Analog signals. Long news stories on this evenings news. Including this URL given out showing Analog and Digital expected coverage. Looks a little optimistic.

»www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_rep···o_CA.pdf

Analog is just about history here.
--
If only the Verizon CSRs worked this well.

SDAnimeFan

join:2003-02-07
New Haven, MI
·AT&T Yahoo

Detroit Viewing Area

I know of 2 stations in the Detroit viewing area that are ending there analog broadcast on the original date.

WMYD TV 20 and WPXD 31

And those who like public TV WTVS 56 they are staying on analog but who knows for how long they are having some problems with there analog transmitter.

»www.dptv.org/dtv/index.shtml


DeathK
Premium
join:2002-06-16
Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati

The stations here need to grow a backbone and ditch the analog like they planned. The only one switching tomorrow is channel 64. Like has been said, enough coddling.
pgoelz

join:2001-12-26
Rochester, MI

Re: Cincinnati

Re: Detroit digital transition confusion..... if you try to find a web site for WPXD, there isn't one. But if you go to the iOnTV web site and click the DIGITAL > DTV link, you get a page that shows (among other things) "February 17th 2009, DTV" as well as a countdown that is counting down to.... June 12th. Sheesh!

Paul
--
Paul Goelz, Rochester Hills, MI
Model Helicopter, music and astronomy pages:
http://pgoelz.com
Forums » We Don't Need No Stinkin' DTV Delaypage: 1 · 2


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