Looks like Obama's request to delay the switch over to digital got turned down by the FCC. FCC Says No to Obama's DTV Transition - Tom's Hardware Obama's transition team wants to push back the date when analog broadcasters switch over to digital, however FCC's chairman rejects the idea. During CES '09, Federal Communications Commissions chairman and Republican Kevin Martin said that a delay in the upcoming analog-to-digital transition taking place next month might actually cause more confusion, that there are other options to pursue rather than push the transition date back. As reported by The Associate Press, last Thursday, President-elect Barack Obama's transition team requested that Congress not switch off the analog signals just yet, citing that the program ran out of money and currently could not fill the requests of consumers seeking converter box vouchers, thus the need to delay the change. U.M.
Good, I do TV engineering for a living, and I can tell you that the broadcasters are ready, we have donated tons of airtime to the awareness campaign, and we have scheduled extra crews for the switchoff day. Not to mention we have not budgeted power to run the analog transmitter past feb 17. I am ready to go, the people that slacked will just not get to watch any TV until they get their act together. Dr.
That's exactly what I thought of when I read he wanted to push it back. Of course the real question I have: who or what will the newly available frequencies be used for/on/in?
I heard rumors of using them for internet service. I can't figure out how they could make that cost effective. Interesting concept though.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the new 403 mHz ELT's that we're puttin in planes. They used to be on 121.5, and although it will still be monitored, they won't have nearly as much coverage on the 121.5 ELT's as they do now. I was curious as to why (besides better coverage and location) they decided to switch now. Could it be b/c of going to digital? Do You Need a Portable Emergency Beacon ? | Plastic Pilot cliff notes: ELT (emergency location transmitter) is a little guy that sends out a beacon when a plane crashes. They're changing the frequency, which is a PITA.
Apparently there is a backlog for the boxes. A lot of folks are going to be stuck out. I'm sure the cable companies are loving the switch since it will likely bring them tons on new customers. Our local cable company has been advertising the crap out of the switch and the fact that their customers don't need a converter box. http://www.panews.com/local/local_story_009185326.html
i am rather happy the FCC told obama to bugger off. this thing has been advertised for nearly two years now, so imo the people and the government had plenty of time to get ready for the switch over, and those not prepared have only themselves to blame.
I wonder if the finger got blurred out when the FCC gave it to Obama, you know, to keep it decent and all.
a little OT here, but they are also those annoying boxes that sometimes pilots/mechanics turn on at night, then ATC pesters us about it until we can "find" the source. We have well over 100 aircraft RON here every night. It's a PITA to find the one with the ELT going off
All I know about the digital transition is that my mom bought a converter box and it doesn't pick up the digital signals. I'm guessing that an analog signal doesn't need to be as strong to get picked up and recognized as a digital signal does. She got an amplifying antenna too, but still no dice. Guess she's gonna need to get one of those rooftop antennas next, maybe that will work and maybe it won't, but by the time you buy the box and several antennas, installation etc., it hardly seems worth it.
2 TV's in the house.The main is an HD unit with built in local tuner.The other set is an older Sony Wega with analog.Thee problem isn't the converter boxes,it's the HD signal.See,I live in an area where the cable line ends about 2 miles down the road.So i've been stuck on using an antenna.The DTV picture is very good.But the signal has a bad tendency to go out or get choppy often.I'm constantly moving the antenna to get the signal back.But sometimes it's just no dice.And I have to resort to watching the show in analog.When this transition occurs,I'll be missing any shows I watch if the dtv signal goes out.Dtv signals are NOT very stable.You either have a picture and sound,or you have nothing at all.Signal quality must be 90% or better to achieve a picture. As for the antenna,it's a wall or external mount type box with a 40 db amp connected.Rooftop antenna's are out of the question due to VERY high lightning strikes in this area.Yep,allready had it hit an antenna a few years ago.Fried a lot of stuff in the house. Fuggin dtv signals.
Guess it's time for you to either... A) Get a satellite dish. B) Move 2 miles closer to your cable provider. C) Stop watching TV altogether or learn to live with the poor reception. Bottom line is it's your problem, not the broadcasters. U.M.
Well the fact the FCC stood up to him hopefully lots of other swill as well when it comes to doing what is right.
Most DTV Signals Actually go Further then most stations normal "A" grade analog coverage. The difference comes in the Fringe areas. If you are in a fringe area you will experience the "Digital cliff" where your tuner will teeter on the edge of having enough data to make a picture, or Not. You must be in one of those areas. Some things to try... 1) Lose the amp.. With amps the garbage in, garbage out rule applys. If you cant get a good signal, the amp wont help, it will just add noise and make it worse. 2) A properly grounded Outdoor antenna should go a long way in protecting your equipment. Ground the antenna and the cable (use a ground block), then run you coax through a surge suppressor. 3) if you just cant do an out door consider a large directional antenna mounted in you attic pointed in the direction of the stations. That will help alot. Dr.
With all the poo(used so Banger does not hit me on the wrist w/ the ruler again) on Obamas plate why does he give a damn about when the Digital signal is turned on? I would be vastly concerned as an American that the digital signal is even on the presidents radar for matters needing to be addressed. The country is in a recession, Jobs are being lost, 2 wars, global warming, israel trying to wipe out ha-mas and vise versa. But yet the digital signal is even worth mentioning?
