I'm probably going to make a few people sneer at this article but these things need to be discussed. And, since football season is over I need a new vice.
The digital transition hasn't happened as planned. The actual transition date was changed from 2006 to 2009. It could still change, though that would be unlikely. Then again, the Giants won on Sunday, didn't they?
Anyhow, my first targets are analog televisions and consumer information. Tomorrow night I'll add a couple more issues to consider.
Comments
Here in Houston we have alot of thunderstorms that knock out the power everytime it rains. I use my battery powered TV for watching the weather and local shows during those times. What are we supposed to do during POWER OUTAGES? I also use my battery powered TV for camping. I also use my analog TV when my cable goes out which happens at least twice a week.
Sounds like another case of Congress screwing the consumer for the sake of big cable company lobyists, and telling us it’s for our own good. I thought the free airwaves belonged to the people.
Seriously, what should we really do during power outages?
Reponse to Barbara: I also live in Texas and know exactly about these thunderstorms. I use a portable TV myself and unfortunately I don’t have an answer on that issue right now.
That StormTracker television is built specifically for emergencies and it will be useless in a year unless we can get a digital-to-analog converter that runs on battery power. Even then, many of these portable televisions don’t allow for input.
I haven’t seen a portable battery-powered digital TV yet. Hopefully one will exist by 2009.
I saw a converter in action yesterday to demo what the picture will look like. It creates a border around the perimeter of the screen giving you less viewing space. Is anyone else aware of this?
We were happy with analog. This hd is not all they say it is. And,how do we video tape programs now? I am missing alot of tv shows. All in all this just stinks!!!!!!!
I commented on another blog here that this transition is a ripoff. Digital signals are too weak at a 30 mile distance. I’m in Monroe County, Michigan. I used to get 16 channels with analog between Toledo, OH and Detroit, MI. Now I get 2 digital with a convertor and RCA amplified antenna in one room. Both are WJBK Fox Detroit and identical. I get nothing digital now on my $300 13″ Sharp Aquos in the another room. I use a terk amplified HD antenna there. This is a fiasco I’ve been complaining about since January. WXYZ even sent a van around my neighborhood to see what the problem was because they just put up a new tower. All the major stations are in the same area of Southfield, MI, yet all I get is Fox and nothing else but analog Canada. WXYZ told me I’ll just have to get an outdoor antenna. Who’s paying for that? I’ve complained to every one of my congress people.