But again, this switchover doesn’t apply to anyone with cable, satelite or a TV purchased in the last several years.
The only people it affects are those people using old TVs with rabbit ears.
And besides that, converter boxes will be, at most, $70 when they’re first released and they’ll probably get cheaper after that.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/09/first_digital_tv_converter_box.php
Bingo. Everything done by Congress is done with political expediency in mind. That’s the only reason we have the Civil Rights Act.
All right, but can we complain about the government’s website where you’re supposed to apply for the coupons? As practically the last person in America who doesn’t have cable, nor a TV manufactured in this millennium, I’m entitled, gosh darn it, to two $40 coupons – and yet I got turned down, on the pretext that I had already applied. Which I hadn’t, goodness knows.
And I’m sorry if I ruined anyone’s day with my tale of pathos.
Not at all. Made my day, in fact.
mks57 thanks for the link. It was a truly fascinating diversion from the main thread.
Now, we have a precedent that the FCC once told broadcasters and citizens, “tough luck, we’re changing standards, get new stuff.”
My opinion is, they were wrong then, they’re doing it better now, but my handheld TV (not to mention my 5" portable color TV) will still be rendered obsolete and hauling around a VCR-sized converter that has to be powered by AC doesn’t replace portability. How about a voucher to replace that?
(BTW - I still want my flying car!)
That is, the cost will be bundled into the charges to those who benefit from the switch. Sounds good to me, if that’s the deal.
And yes, the end of the analog-cell system is a business decision by the cellular carriers, it was not mandatory.
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I’m not a Ham; I keep procrastinating on that. But it’s something I’m interested in anyway.
So, is any of the newly free spectrum going to be donated to amateur radio? Which bands are actually open? Is there any plan at all, or is it all just up for auction to the highest bidder, and screw forethought? Anybody got links to the details?
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I am a Ham :). I’ve heard nothing about any new amateur radio bands. We already have allocations at 420-450 MHz and 902-928 MHz, which bracket the original UHF TV band, so I don’t think it would be that useful. Part of it is reserved for public safety and part of it will be auctioned off. I haven’t seen a detailed list.
What is HDTV? I was under the impression HDTV was one of 4 formats.
1280 by 720 interlaced
1280 by 720 progressive
1920 by 1080 interlaced
1920 by 1080 progressive
Does digital TV as is being mandated in the US have other formats?
Plain old TV in the US is NTSC which is basically 640 by 480
No.
Instead, they should fund more research for better display technologies - current plasma and LCD suck! I’ve had nearly twice the resolution of these fledgling flat displays for nearly a decade - not to mention way better color and contrast. It’s called CRT and it stands for cathode ray tube, and no you don’t see them all over the walls in your favorite new action movies. <bragging-time> My 22" CRT runs native at 1600x1200@110hz, and has prettier colors than I’ve seen in any display technology to date </bragging-time>. I think it’s about time to rid ourselves of these monolithic display standards, and start seeking new higher quality solutions.
I know what you are thinking - I wish they made CRTs that big too. The temporary, budget sensitive solution I have found are projectors. It is much more technologically efficient too; you don’t have to investing in the HDMI cable scam, or have the geek squad come to setup your stupid new home theater while stealing your pornography. It goes like this:
Internet/TV service - > computer -> projector -> wall (if it isn’t white, and you don’t want to buy a 100 dollar projection surface, then just tape together some thick construction paper)
Get a sick sound system and something to dim the lights, and it will be a movie theater experience.