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05/24/2007 10:47:23 PM · #1 |
Being in Electronic Sales, I get questions about the transition to Digital TV almost everday, and It is confusing, I hope this link will help some people.
DTV
Its a good read, check it out..
Some things to emphasize..
The transition is not to HDTV, its DTV, High Def is the best Digital signal but everything will not be HD.
You may be safe if you have an analog set/ with a cable or satellite box that you have now, but call your provider to make Sure.
All tv's bigger than 25" made after mid 2006 were required to have a digital tuner built in-- (Digital not HD)
All tv's 13" or bigger, as of March 2007 are required to have a ATSC (digtial) tuner built in.
It not as bad as people think-- and if you have to get a converter box, the US gov Is issuuing coupons for 40 bucks (up to 2 per househould), to help out--
The avg cost of a box I think we be 50-60 bucks.
Give the link a look, and I hope it helps you guys/gals out, if you are confused..
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05/24/2007 11:51:21 PM · #2 |
Just a friendly bump--
I thought someone would gain knowledge from this, Guess not??
lol |
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05/24/2007 11:52:15 PM · #3 |
Your right. There has been a big misconception for a long time now. I was in the electronic business for more than 10 years including working for a cable company. I can't recall how many times some sales associates and businesses told customers they had to have an HDTV after "X" date or they would have to by a box for around "$400" to convert there TV; not true. All broadcast will have to be in Digital not HD and to receive you will need a DTV tuner or like you said a Digital cable box. For a while it was almost as bad as the Y2K thingy.
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05/24/2007 11:55:14 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by buzzrock:
Just a friendly bump--
I thought someone would gain knowledge from this, Guess not??
lol |
I was running the DTV department at best buy when we got the first DTVs and remember the law being passed,.That was so long ago i completely forgot about it. of course I have 2 hdtvs so i have had no reason to worry about it, but man that took forever, I worked there like 7 years ago. |
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05/25/2007 12:00:49 AM · #5 |
DTV is kind of the happy medium from all the other options that were proposed.
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05/25/2007 12:03:55 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
DTV is kind of the happy medium from all the other options that were proposed. |
You are correct. The compromise was accepted because it still allows the government to use that freed up space for what they want. While working for the cable company we had many meeting on this subject. TV will not be the same once the conversion takes place, good and bad!
Message edited by author 2007-05-25 00:04:32.
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05/25/2007 12:26:49 AM · #7 |
It's not the government that wants the freed up space, it's the cell phone companies and those that make money from our broadcast spectrum. Even though they used the excuse that it would allow more emergency type services, that's just so much bull by the companies that stand to make a lot of money from forcing people to switch. The government passed the laws because those groups paid them lots of money in the form of contributions and lobby support for other pet projects.
Just like cable TV comes in cheap and then starts going up in price after a few years, DTV is going to cost all consumers more money in the long run for not a lot more benifit. The next step is to force people to go to WTV (TV over cable) or FTV (TV over fiber) and take it out of the air completely.
Mike |
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05/25/2007 12:28:41 AM · #8 |
Sounds like I could have benefited from waiting a year to buy our LCD's...LOL. We bought them in Jan 2006
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05/25/2007 12:36:40 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by MikeJ:
The next step is to force people to go to WTV (TV over cable) or FTV (TV over fiber) and take it out of the air completely.
Mike |
Unlike gasoline. People don't *NEED* TV. Some of those companies might find this out the hard way if they keep up the crap. I'm not upgrading. I quit cable TV cold turkey. A month later I was amazed at my extra free time. Next, if they really turn off ATV in feb09, I'm going to drop all TV. I'll deliver my old set to the FCC building at DC. But from what my friends in the TV industry tell me the broadcasters won't be ready to turn off ATV in 09. It's gonna be loads of fun to watch. The biggest fight is going to be net neutrality. We'll lose eventually, like we always do. Money talks, bull@!$@ walks!
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05/25/2007 01:03:02 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by swhiddon:
Your right. There has been a big misconception for a long time now. I was in the electronic business for more than 10 years including working for a cable company. I can't recall how many times some sales associates and businesses told customers they had to have an HDTV after "X" date or they would have to by a box for around "$400" to convert there TV; not true. All broadcast will have to be in Digital not HD and to receive you will need a DTV tuner or like you said a Digital cable box. For a while it was almost as bad as the Y2K thingy. |
I think this is how my wife got roped into the TV she got. She wanted to surprise me for christmas and ended up buying a very large rear projection tv that is HD ready. I'm certain she thought she HAD to have that. Then when the guys delivered and hooked it up they told her the quality would not be that great until she got HDTV. So we signed up and hey what do you know, our town only has one HD channel and it is ESPN...like I care about them lol. We all hate the tv, it's only good for watching DVD's in complete darkness thanks to the stupid plastic protective screen on the front that reflects every blasted thing. She now knows to talk to me before making a purchase like that again. Live and learn lol. p.s. anyone in KY looking for a big tv? ;) |
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05/25/2007 05:20:23 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by fir3bird:
Originally posted by MikeJ:
The next step is to force people to go to WTV (TV over cable) or FTV (TV over fiber) and take it out of the air completely.
Mike |
Unlike gasoline. People don't *NEED* TV. Some of those companies might find this out the hard way if they keep up the crap. I'm not upgrading. I quit cable TV cold turkey. A month later I was amazed at my extra free time. Next, if they really turn off ATV in feb09, I'm going to drop all TV. I'll deliver my old set to the FCC building at DC. But from what my friends in the TV industry tell me the broadcasters won't be ready to turn off ATV in 09. It's gonna be loads of fun to watch. The biggest fight is going to be net neutrality. We'll lose eventually, like we always do. Money talks, bull@!$@ walks! |
You are right. I rarely watch TV anymore either, we don't have cable (it's available) and don't plan on getting it. I can't go to sleep with the TV on nor can I ignore it if it's on in a room I'm in and trying to do other things. My wife uses it as a noise maker (I'm too quiet ;)) and usually falls asleep 10 minutes after she turns it on. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Mike |
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