Senate panel votes against digital-TV deadline

[Tryton]

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday decided against setting a hard deadline for television broadcasters to air only digital signals, but the panel did provide for some aid to help consumers see the new digital broadcasts.

The panel revamped a bill on the matter, eliminating a provision that would have set 2009 as the deadline for broadcasters to shut off their existing signals and air only digital signals. That would have enabled those old airwaves to be sold to commercial wireless services and given to public safety groups.

The measure was amended to include the possibility that some airwaves used by broadcasters could be turned over to public safety organizations as early as 2008. Poor communications was a major problem during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The committee's chairman, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had pushed for the hard deadline in part because he wanted public safety groups to get some of the airwaves.

After the hearing, McCain said he doubted the measure would advance far in its current form, in part because it does not guarantee that public safety groups would get the airwaves by 2008.

The legislation also included a provision setting aside $1 billion in subsidies for consumers to either buy devices that would convert digital signals into a format they could see or subscribe to cable and satellite services.

Source Cnet News http://news.com.com/Senate+panel+votes+against+digital-TV+deadline/2100-1041_3-5377866.html?tag=nefd.top

[clw2112]

This has to be like the 5th time they have extended the deadline. They are never going to set a deadline and stick to it are they?

[Tryton]

Seems to me the gov can't stick to their guns, which will only hurt our nation catching up to the rest of the world....so sad :shootout:

[Ratman]

IMO... it really doesn't matter. It's all $$.
The large metropolitan areas already comply for OTA.

This all boils down to resale of the 'freed up' bandwidth and money in someones pocket! And... it won't be yours!

Don't think that all this hub-bub is to provide you with digital (not HD) TV signals quickly.

The majority of the TV watching public has cable or satellite and this has no bearing whatsoever.

Think about it...

[sto22]

Are you telling me they've allotted $1,000,000,000 so Bubba doesn't have to upgrade his console Zenith? What a waste, that could've bought a few more bombers or prisons, or schools, or .......

sto22

[Ratman]

I don't know where you came up with the billion $$ figure, but NTSC to ATSC decoders will be available for under $25 for those less fortunate than us. Bubba?

[sto22]

The billion dollar subsidy is in the first post. Bubba was a poor choice of words for someone who needs government assistance to get digital television.

It's TV, not bread or milk.

It's a waste of money, yours and mine.

sto22

[Ratman]

sto22,
Do you get your programming OTA?
If so... by 2009, will you still be using an antenna?

I don't understand why everyone makes this a 'major' issue.

[sto22]

I have the ability to receive both digital and analog OTA. I rarely do since I live in the sticks and the analog signals are terrible, even with a large antenna on a 20 foot mast (2 story home).

The only HD OTA digital channel I receive is NBC which is 75 miles away and strangely enough the strongest signal I can get. I also qualify for NBC via Directv which I keep for the east/west HD feeds.

I think you might be misunderstanding my complaint. I can't get three of the four networks OTA digital even though I live in a "A" grade signal area according to Directv. (All are broadcasting digitally in the "area" in which 35 miles is the closest tower, relatively flat terrain)

When the analog signals are shut off, most of the people in my area that rely on "free" TV via analog OTA signals, will be without.

That sucks, BUT we shouldn't receive some sort of government subsidy to get cheaper cable or free digital boxes. It's TV. It's a luxury.

That's how I took the billion dollar comment in the first post.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Happy Hump day,

sto22

[raff]

I concur with you Ratman, this will not be an issue.

Besides, by 2009, I'm hoping to actually live inside my HDTV. :)

[Ratman]

When the analog signals are shut off, most of the people in my area that rely on "free" TV via analog OTA signals, will be without.

No... all they will need is an ATSC to NTSC converter. Projected cost today is <$50. By 2009, I'm sure that price will be substantially less.

[kevinw]

No... all they will need is an ATSC to NTSC converter. Projected cost today is <$50. By 2009, I'm sure that price will be substantially less.
I am wondering how effective digital will really be for rural areas. With digital being all or nothing, at least with analog you can watch a snowy picture when you are 50 -60 miles from the towers. Very few people can get a digital signal from that distance. I know broadcast power will go up but will it be enough.

[Ratman]

That's a good point looking at this from 'todays' perspective. But... in ~5 years, we can assume that the technology will improve.

Compare the Gen 1-3 digital receivers to the Gen 4's available now. The Gen 5's are reported to be even better for performance and stability.

Agreed... if the transition took place today, there would be a lot of unhappy households. But I firmly believe that by 2009, the transition/impact will be minimal to those that solely rely on OTA.