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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 8, 2009 10:57:35 GMT -6
So are you ready?
I suspect the answer is "yes" for most of us, but who knows?
The U.S. broadcasters had been mandated to cease analog broadcasting on February 17. Now the Congress has voted to delay the requirement until June 12. However: (a) the President has yet to sign it, and (b) the delay is not mandatory. Some stations still plan to switch on Feb. 17, as a delay would be expensive (and pointless, IMHO).
We're on cable here, and I've picked up two converter boxes just in case I ever feel like turning on the televisions that aren't on cable. So I'm not worried.
But I am amused and looking forward to watching any potential pandemonium caused by people too dumb or clueless to keep up with the times!
Your thoughts?......Jake
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Feb 8, 2009 11:46:08 GMT -6
We havnt relied on an analog signal in about 13 years when we got our first satellite dish (a 10 foot monster). Cable coverage quits about 5 miles from us, a bit too far to use a splitter to tap into someone else line.
We used to have a fair analog signal when the local station 100 mile away had a translator tower. A new station bought that translator license and started broadcasting Christian programming. Our other analog signal is from across the lake in Canada, and its poor at best. When we bought a new TV in 96 or 7 it had a digital tuner and the signal was rarely strong enough for the tuner to lock in.
So now Im more aware of local issues in Atlanta than I am locally. Thanks to my current satellite package.
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Post by bigdog8088 on Feb 8, 2009 12:18:48 GMT -6
Last Spring We switched from Cable to Verizon FIOS...As I have since Found out...Even my new Digital ready T.V. won't work with out there converter box. Making the switch I did pick up
National Geo and all the discovery channels Plus about 800 of What ever's . Now if I only had the Desire to watch T.V.
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Post by Tex on Feb 8, 2009 14:39:17 GMT -6
Direct TV, all digital for some time.
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Post by nolaflacav on Feb 8, 2009 16:54:17 GMT -6
I'm hoping there is some leftover money in the stimulus bill for rabbit ears. That would be a God send for the dumb or clueless.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 8, 2009 17:08:06 GMT -6
This is kind of funny, but also kind of sad when you think about it.
......Jake (who does have sympathy for the oldsters, if not for the dumb or the clueless)
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Post by DT on Feb 8, 2009 17:09:16 GMT -6
Comcast ready and accounted for.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 8, 2009 17:16:12 GMT -6
Hmmm, it occurs to me: what are our cousins across the ponds doing on this issue? Have they long ago converted to digital TV, or do they still have it coming? Simon? Deb? Oz?
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Post by Irish Stu on Feb 8, 2009 18:19:53 GMT -6
I've had Rupert Murdock's Sky satellite TV service since 1989, and changed over to their digital satellite service when it was launched in 1998. Thanks to Sky we have gone from having only four television channels when Channel 4 was launched in 1982 to now 'enjoying' more channels than any other country... a sad boast indeed!!
Cable, where offered, is also a popular choice here, and we also have 'Freeview' which is a free terrestrial digital service. All you need is a reasonably new aerial and a 'Freeview box' between the TV and the aerial socket, though all new TVs are now produced with an inbuilt receiver.
We're having a phased switch off of our analogue service. In my area we lose it next year, the final areas go in 2011. Personally I think this a far too long and we could go ahead with the switch off now.
Simon
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 8, 2009 18:24:38 GMT -6
Yeah, Simon, I read somewhere that the USA is the only large country doing it in one fell swoop. Most others phase it in from region to region. I'm not sure what would be better (or should I say, worse).....Jake
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 8, 2009 19:40:30 GMT -6
I switched cable from analog to digital about 6 or 7 years ago and haven't looked back since. Just wish Time Warner had more HiDef channels.
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Feb 8, 2009 19:48:27 GMT -6
I switched from cable to Dish Network a few years ago and never looked back. I have a DVR supplied by Dish that also works as a digital TV receiver for over-the-air TV as well. Since Dish now has most all the local TV stations on satellite, I took down the rooftop antenna and use the satellite exclusively.
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