I haven't commented on new developments about Digital TV and HDTV since last spring, so here are a few things that have come to my attention since then:
Many of you who are aware that we have fewer than 500 days until analog TV goes away have asked about the plans cable and other providers have made for this event. The Federal Communications Commission recently decided that cable companies must provide an analog signal that is converted from the local stations' digital-only offerings for an additional three years after the February 18, 2009 changeover. This means that if you have cable your old sets will work for at least another three years, and you will barely notice the impending deadline.
As for the time after those these three years, who knows? The government may let market forces dictate the decisions of the cable companies, or there may be another mandated decision by the FCC. I guess we will have to wait and see. There has been no word that I know of regarding satellite TV and their requirements, if any, but I would think that it would be a strong selling point for them to also offer analog service for a while.
As for those of you who rely on over the air signals picked up with antennas the clock is ticking and if you have multiple sets it might be a good time to start replacing them. I might add that if you have not experienced HDTV, you will probably want it as soon as you see it. LCD TV's have become the new standard, and I doubt if anyone is even making sets with picture tubes these days, although you may find a few still in the stores.
I have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: Digital TV often includes more than just a single HDTV channel. Here at 13abc we offer two additional standard definition channels as part of our whole package. If you are watching on cable systems outside of the immediate Toledo area you might not know about WTVG Plus or Weather Now, our additional two offerings. In combination with HDTV and of course www.13abc.com, they offer additional choices of fine programming, with an emphasis on news and public affairs, as well as many programs for children found nowhere else in the area. Weather Now gives you access to Live Doppler 13000 24 hours a day. Even if your cable provider does not offer these channels it is possible to pick them up with an antenna.
A recent email newsletter I received from Broadcast Engineering Magazine (a trade publication) shed some light on the state of knowledge the public has about HDTV. According to this article, a survey conducted for Best Buy by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media Omnibus Services shows how confused the public is on this subject. The survey was based on 1012 telephone interviews.
Among the findings of the interviews:
- 32 percent said they had no understanding of HDTV
- 39 percent said they didn't know you needed an HD-ready TV to be ready for the HD experience
- 52 percent said they would spend 75 to 100 percent of their TV budget on the TV alone
- 44 percent said they didn't know they needed access to HD programming or an HD antenna to get HDTV
- 62 percent said they didn't know about the need for an HD sound system to enjoy the complete experience
The National Association of Broadcasters held a press conference on October 15 to announce what they call "an unparalled consumer education marketing campaign to reach television viewers with information about the February 17, 2009 transition to digital television". So far there has been too little information made available to those who do not have internet access. Hopefully this will help to fill the gap. The website for information is DTVAnswers.com
I have addressed these issues in previous articles and there are many other resources available online to complete your preparation for purchasing and setting up the equipment needed for the HDTV experience. I would suggest www.dtv.gov as a great place to learn about DTV and HDTV. One of the things you will notice if you follow that link is a large countdown clock that tells you how many days are left before the shutdown of analog TV.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at Thomas.H.Young@abc.com .
