Putting off the digital transition

spokybob · 01-12-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinny2

They make it sound like the viewers are not ready. That little message has been scrolling along the the top of every TV show for months! Meanwhile our local FOX affiliate has not upgraded. I received a reply a few days ago that read:

"We are waiting for a tower crew to arrive at, FOX Fort Wayne, to run a new transmission line up our tower so we can connect our new Digital transmitter to the line and begin broadcasting. There is not a definitive time frame for when this will happen, but we hope before February 17th."

Really, Haven't they been aware of this since the 90's?

Vinny: I believe your local FOX has been at digital low power. Their new xmitter will be at full power.

QuantumIguana · 01-12-2009, 10:53 AM

There may be some problems with the transition, but I think that stations will step up the power in their broadcasts once they no longer have to support analog and digital. PBS did an excellent job with their promos explaining the converter boxes. The other networks had short promos that would explain little if you didn't already know about it.

Loves2Watch · 01-12-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spokybob

Vinny: I believe your local FOX has been at digital low power. Their new xmitter will be at full power.

Really like your pumpkin pi(e) graphic.

Yensid · 01-12-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinny2

They make it sound like the viewers are not ready. That little message has been scrolling along the the top of every TV show for months! Meanwhile our local FOX affiliate has not upgraded. I received a reply a few days ago that read:

"We are waiting for a tower crew to arrive at, FOX Fort Wayne, to run a new transmission line up our tower so we can connect our new Digital transmitter to the line and begin broadcasting. There is not a definitive time frame for when this will happen, but we hope before February 17th."

Really, Haven't they been aware of this since the 90's?

IMO, the commercial broadcasters are not fully supporting or implementing DTV. I’ve noticed that many PBS stations are running a variety of programs on their main channel as well as up to three sub-channels. Yet the commercial broadcasters have very few, if any, sub-channels. Those that have sub-channels are simply filling the space with weather radar rather than “real” programming.

Commercail stations seem to be shooting themselves in the foot. It also brings up the question of their responsibility to serve the public good.

bicker · 01-12-2009, 04:41 PM

A lot of folks on HD-related forums abhor sub-channels, as they "steal" bandwidth from the core channel.

willscary · 01-12-2009, 07:38 PM

The president elect has chosen a new head of the FCC. Now we shall see what happens??

:-(

bicker · 01-13-2009, 03:34 AM

He's a Harvard lawyer. For all we know, he could be the type that expects the world to wait for him. He may be shocked to find out, after he's confirmed a couple of weeks after the inauguration, that the DTV transition has already taken place without him being able to interfere!

bad205 · 01-13-2009, 06:15 AM

My local cbs station ended analog broadcasts on Nov. 30, and is now only digital. The point being, even if the deadline is moved, broadcasters could still make the transition on the date they've been advertising for the past year.

bicker · 01-13-2009, 06:44 AM

However, some stations are waiting for the way to be clear to increase their power output on their post-transition digital channel, and are prevented from doing so until other channels cease broadcasting for certain pre-transition analog channels.

BrianO · 01-13-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willscary

The president elect has chosen a new head of the FCC. Now we shall see what happens??

:-(

It doesn't matter. The FCC cannot change the date. It can only be changed by Congress since the date was set by an Act of Congress that contained no provision that would allow it to be delayed. That means a majority of members of the House and a majority of members in the Senate must be in favour and this does not appear to be the case.
.

vinny2 · 01-15-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spokybob

Vinny: I believe your local FOX has been at digital low power. Their new xmitter will be at full power.

A very delayed Thank you! I believe you are correct about the LP transmitter.

bicker · 01-16-2009, 03:44 AM

Actually, there is no clear indication how the majority of Congress feels about this. June 15 is being floated as the date, in legislation currently be crafted by Jay Rockefeller.

I hope all the companies that won the auctions sue the government for billions.

static1701 · 01-16-2009, 07:59 AM

Hawaii went digital yesterday. From what I was reading, it is going to be a problem because the digital transmitters are on a lower point then the old analog transmitters. Non the less,they did it and now we can see what we can learn from them.

electrictroy · 01-16-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yensid

many PBS stations are running a variety of programs on their main channel as well as up to three sub-channels. Yet the commercial broadcasters have very few, if any, sub-channels. Those that have sub-channels are simply filling the space with weather radar rather than “real” programming.

Yes same here, but it's gradually changing. Philadelphia's channel 6 airs reruns of older shows on an SD sub, while channel 10 recently added NBC Sports, and channel 61 has four ION-related subchannels (ION, IONlife, IONworship, and Qubo). The Spanish channel has a dual-channel affiliation with Univision and Telefutura.

Lancaster's channel 8 replaced weather with a movie channel called "this" and Harrisburg's channel 27 has been running "Retro TV" subchannel for almost a year. The commercial channels are slowly buy surely adding programming worth watching.

bicker · 01-16-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Actually, there is no clear indication how the majority of Congress feels about this. June 15 is being floated as the date, in legislation currently be crafted by Jay Rockefeller.

I hope all the companies that won the auctions sue the government for billions.

Apparently the Senate is going to vote on this today!

01-16-2009, 07:59 AM	#28
static1701 TV should be free! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Waterford MI Posts: 83	Hawaii went digital yesterday. From what I was reading, it is going to be a problem because the digital transmitters are on a lower point then the old analog transmitters. Non the less,they did it and now we can see what we can learn from them. __________________ (Samsung UN55C7000 3D HDTV 1080P AMD 9500 Based HTPC / Dual tuner) (Panasonic Viera P46C2 HDTV 720P) Winegard HD7080P UHF/VHF Antenna Antennas Direct 91XG UHF Antenna Channel Master Titan II 7777 Pre-Amp Radio Shack Archerotor Antenna Rotor 30 Feet off the ground

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01-12-2009, 10:53 AM	#17
QuantumIguana High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 181	There may be some problems with the transition, but I think that stations will step up the power in their broadcasts once they no longer have to support analog and digital. PBS did an excellent job with their promos explaining the converter boxes. The other networks had short promos that would explain little if you didn't already know about it.

01-12-2009, 04:41 PM	#20
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,745	A lot of folks on HD-related forums abhor sub-channels, as they "steal" bandwidth from the core channel.

01-12-2009, 07:38 PM	#21
willscary DIGITAL OTA is the KING! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 70	The president elect has chosen a new head of the FCC. Now we shall see what happens?? :-(

01-13-2009, 03:34 AM	#22
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,745	He's a Harvard lawyer. For all we know, he could be the type that expects the world to wait for him. He may be shocked to find out, after he's confirmed a couple of weeks after the inauguration, that the DTV transition has already taken place without him being able to interfere!

01-13-2009, 06:15 AM	#23
bad205 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 39	My local cbs station ended analog broadcasts on Nov. 30, and is now only digital. The point being, even if the deadline is moved, broadcasters could still make the transition on the date they've been advertising for the past year.

01-13-2009, 06:44 AM	#24
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,745	However, some stations are waiting for the way to be clear to increase their power output on their post-transition digital channel, and are prevented from doing so until other channels cease broadcasting for certain pre-transition analog channels.

01-16-2009, 03:44 AM	#27
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,745	Actually, there is no clear indication how the majority of Congress feels about this. June 15 is being floated as the date, in legislation currently be crafted by Jay Rockefeller. I hope all the companies that won the auctions sue the government for billions.