The digital transition had its share of controversy from multiple delays to post-transition problems with transmitting digital TV signals to all antenna users. Here are some comments about the digital transition from people affected by it.
"Just one more example where the government is making it so people don’t have to be self reliant anymore. How many people took the coupons and used them that did not need to? I am dumbfounded at work by the number of people that used the coupon that either have state of the art TVs and cable or both. Their reasoning was that they may need it someday." ~ Carol
"The analog signal band is needed, not for TV signals, but for emergency use. The bands available for emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) are all crammed in together and need more space. I work for a county service that transports the elderly and handicapped. One or two of our radios once in a while will pick up the repeater signal of the sheriff's office, not the one in our county but another county 100 miles away. The driver carried on a conversation with a deputy once. Our county is trying to get better radio communication for better coordination of police and fire services that cross city and county jurisdictions. But we need the analog band to do this." ~ Jim
"Not only has this messed up the use of a portable TV that we were used to using during storms and used on lunch breaks while away from home, but we also have a high top Conversion van that we bought last year for our traveling needs. Well no longer can the resting person catch a little TV time while the rested person is driving. The new Digital will not pick up while the van is moving where the analog was doing this even though it is a HDTV with digital. What a waste!!! I thought we were supposed to be going forward in life not backward." ~ Tracy & Tammy
"I think that the government should have just left well enough alone! Analog works better than Digital even though it doesn’t always look as nice." ! Jacob
Here in Houston we have a lot of thunderstorms that knock out the power every time 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 lobbyists, 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?" ~ Barbara
"I used to get 16 channels with analog between Toledo, OH, and Detroit, MI. Now I get 2 digital with a converter box 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 where I use a Terk amplified HD antenna. 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." ~ Ria
"I've got a huge, rooftop UHF/VHF antenna, two old-fashioned TVs and two converter boxes. I now have NO major network TV. I do get five religious channels, FOX and one PBS. I feel cheated by this whole transition. On analog, I got all three major networks plus seven additional channels, including a weak signal from Canada on occasion. I live in Olympia, WA and rely on Seattle for TV. Well, it's gone. I have no intention of either paying for cable or buying a new TV. They say hills are blocking the signal for us down here. I feel especially sorry for seniors on limited income and people with disabilities who can't get out and use t.v. as their major entertainment. What to do to get the stations to request the translators?" ~ Lynz
"This whole thing is just another money making gimmick. I’m perfectly happy with analog TV. I guess the government will screw up TV, like they screwed up the telephone service by breaking up Ma Bell. If the government really wanted to help consumers, they would break up TV cable companies and get some competition in the industry." ~ Fred
"The other BIG disadvantage of digital TV and recording shows is that you cannot set-up multiple recordings for different channels and leave. My understanding is that the converter box has to be on the channel you are recording (and the TV left on) and then you have to change it if you want to record a different channel. That really sucks big time!" ~ Lisa
"Since the FCC made the switch to DTV we people who can not afford Direct TV or Dish network can not afford to pay for it. In our area we don't even have cable. We live anywhere from 3 to 4 hours from a big city. This was a dumb idea! And, totally stupid on Congresses part along with the FCC! Now we are sitting ducks. We don't get the news on a antenna now and we paid for all the stuff to make the switch. Now, fix the problem where we all can have TV!" ~ Kathy
