No more free tv after Feb 2009

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hamguy:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hillbilly2:
If you have cable or satellite, you will not be affected. It still may not happen, as some stations are still not ready for digital transmission. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It has been passed as law and not likely to be rescinded for a couple TV stations. The conversion technology is readily available and the Feds are not going to feel sorry for stations that don't comply. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Digital Broadcast can be quite a boon for the stations despite the initial cash for them to upgrade. Perfect Picture and up to six subchannels giving them 5 additional venues for selling advertising. The upgrade in picture quality gives them an edge against the cable broadcasters many of whom do not have enough bandwith to compete.

This is being persued agressively by broadcast stations accross the country and could dig deeply into the pockets of the Satellite and Cable providers.

For a one time $40 fee you can get rid of your cable bill forever and still get a respectable picture. For people on a budget eliminating a $40 to $100 a month cable/satelite bill can put over $1,000 a year back into their pockets.

It all depends on what is important to you, how you look at it and how you pursue it.

By the way I have been an analyst in the broadcast/cable/satelite industry for seven years.

[hamguy]

NeilV-

I fail to see how a $40 fee can eliminate Cable/Satellite? OTA tv doesn't have anywhere near the variety. The only difference will be a better picture for the same old garbage spewed by the BIG 4 networks.

What is the basis for your claim? If people want to go back to OTA, they have my blessing. Everyone must evaluate their own financial status.

[John Harrelson]

I have three television sets and none of them are "Digital"..

I get 50 channels of "Cable" television for <span class="ev_code_red">$25 per month</span>... (Charter Cable)
(that's cheaper than going to the movies twice a month)

I don't care what the Government does with the television signals... I am not buying another television set for two reasons ...

<span class="ev_code_red">#1.</span> My current televisions will probably last another 20 years before they wear out.

<span class="ev_code_red">#2.</span> I probably won't live another 20 years.

There are only two or three things on television today that make it worth while having one...

#1. Evening News
#2. Jeopardy
#3. the occasional "OLD" movie on "TCM" channel

Most other stuff is garbage ... violence, sex, destruction, religious fruitcakes, crime ... etc..
and I see enough of that on the evening news.

and ...Every night of every week, at 8:PM my television is turned off, regardless of what is "Coming On" later...

Reading a book is much more entertaining than any television show ever invented..

Right now I'm in the middle of another Mary Higgins Clark mystery.. .. (she is a thousand time better writer than her mother)

John

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hamguy:
NeilV-

I fail to see how a $40 fee can eliminate Cable/Satellite? OTA tv doesn't have anywhere near the variety. The only difference will be a better picture for the same old garbage spewed by the BIG 4 networks.

What is the basis for your claim? If people want to go back to OTA, they have my blessing. Everyone must evaluate their own financial status.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A good many people only get cable or satelite to get a clear picture and stick with the basic package mamy of whom are hard pressed with the bill. The extra content provided by the cable industry contains much garbage also so why pay for all that extra garbage that you can not afford.

In the Tampa Bay area you get 5 WUSF and 4 WEDU PBS subchannels. Between the Network, Independent and PBS broadcasters that may end up being over 40 subchannels. You currently can get 3 different 24 hour local weather channels in the mix along with 24 hour a day Create and PBS Digital.

It is getting so that even venues that were once considered Cable only are now starting to be distributed through the Broadcast Digital arena also.

It is all driven by the pursuit of advertising dollars and with the advent of Broadcast Digital, advertisers will be taking a serious second look at getting their sponsored programs into the Broadcast Digital Market.

Things are moving fast right now and the changes will be interesting as the new possibilities are being discovered and unveiled by the industry.

The title of this topic really should be "MORE Free TV after Feb 2009!"

[georgetown350]

Will the new digital signal make any difference to the lousy reception of the antenna?

When you pull into a flying j , raise the antenna and turn on the tv will the reception be any better with digital???


Steve

[Bill Adams]

Yes and No. IF (big if) there is a digital signal available it will be perfectly clear. If there is no signal available or it is too weak, instead of getting a fuzzy screen you will get nothing at all.

[dieselclacker]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Neil V
A good many people only get cable or satelite to get a clear picture and stick with the basic package mamy of whom are hard pressed with the bill. The extra content provided by the cable industry contains much garbage also so why pay for all that extra garbage that you can not afford.


Neil there are also those who have no choice, like myself, as to OTA, satillite, or cable. I live in an area that has no OTA signal is available, so if I want TV, I can either subscribe to Cable, or Sat. Lots of unwanted garbage on either choice.

Dieselclacker

[ctcamper]

I agree with John 100 percent. I usually watch The 6-7 news and then Jeopardy and usually it's on to a book after that.
The only channels I will watch are; PBS, Hist, Disc, TCM, and sometimes the food or Travel channel.
Gone are the days of good clean and fun comedy like The Honeymooners, Barney Miller, Carol Burnett show etc.. They used to get laughs and viewers without graphic violence and "colorful language" Hawaii Five O, Canon, Colombo all enjoyable shows without the gore and gutter talk.
Progress? More like Progressively worse...

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Why are so many making such a big deal about Digital TV? It's no different then what has happened to cellular phones. When cell phones first came out they were all analog. In the last few years they've been converting to Digital. Most companies required you to upgrade to a Digital Cell Phone. Some phones had both analog and digital built in. Now all phones are digital and you can't buy an analog phone.

The same thing happened with commerical two-way radio that Police, Fire and Utility companies use. Now the same thing is happening with television. Actually some are lucky in that you will get either free converters or you can buy a cheap converter. Which is really not all that great, because you will still see a less then good quality picture, at least compared to upgrading to a digital set. Any TV you purchase today will be digital and they are not that expensive.

As far as free TV being eliminated, this is not true. Over the air TV will still be available. It's mandated by the FCC. I've been using the same rooftop antenna at my home, and also the same antenna in our motorhome for two years now. I get high definition digital television free from the local networks.

[RedneckExpress]

My only big thought on the OA broadcasting is range. Digital signals don't work too good on long ranges. Digital cellphones have to be closer to a cell tower than an analog does to get a usable link.

So, those that might have been on the fringes of their OA broadcasters range may very well be beyond it entirely with the digital format.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Joseph is correct. It takes more signal to get both a clear picture and clear sound on digital. In analog when getting close to fringe areas you would getting static in sound and snow in a picture. On digital it drops data bits and causes frame freeze or just dropped sylables in the case of sound. It may mean you will need a higher and larger antenna.

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Why are so many making such a big deal about Digital TV? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Because there is so much misinformation and misunderstanding out there.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Why are so many making such a big deal about Digital TV? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Make no mistake, come Feb. 2009 there will be a fundamental change in the way TV's work. If you don't make a big deal about it a number of people will be left in the dark. Satellite TV and Cable subscribers will not be effected but anyone wanting to watch over-the-air TV programming (for whatever reason) MUST take some kind of action to ensure that this service will not be interrupted.

[cb5300]

Even with the "big deal" there will still be a lot of people left in the dark. People will most always put off till tomorrow, what they should have done today!