[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Obama Calls for a Delay to the Digital Switch here

[number6]

People shouldn't be forced to switch. If digital is better, isn't it natural for people to want it? The only thing the switch is going to change in my house is that I won't be able to watch TV because I don't want to steal from my neighbor by making him pay for my coupon.

[tntkain]

Are you serious? How are you stealing from your neighbor? I don't feel they should delay the switch. People have had plenty of time to prepare, they have known about it for at least 2 years. Maybe the program wouldn't have run out of money if people who didn't really need the boxes ordered the coupon and got a box "just in case". I know several people who did that. America is way behind on our free tv as it is. They already have digital tv in other countries. America needs to catch up

[number6]

Those boxes don't come out of nowhere. Someone is paying for them either through taxes or inflation. I not that low that I would make others pay for my coupon and I wish others wouldn't make me pay for theirs.

[dnharris14]

This is the biggest problem we face as a Nation. Everytime a goal is set and people can't get it together, the time is extended, the bar is lowered, or worse, Congress (please help us) does something about it. It is time that the concept of negative consequences returns to our culture. How many years has this been going on? If people aren't ready, then no TV for them. Enough of everyone getting a trophy. Enough of never having to feel the effects of failure. Maybe they will learn when the next big issue rears its ugly head...or not.

[number6]

Why don't those who want digital pay for digital, and leave the rest of us alone?

[xtimmy1d]

If you don't want to use the coupon then go buy one without the coupon. This only effects people who get TV via bunny ears not people who get their TV from a cable company.
Once the analog signal is shut down, it will open up new signal space for wireless device. Which will increase wireless signal strength and distance. It's sad that we're going to attempt to delay the advancement of technology for a minority of people who can't get with the program.

[number6]

I don't have digital TV and I'm satisfied with that because it's free. I'm not interested in wasting my money on a box I don't need.

Why do you think it's the government's responsibility to shut down analog? If it's that good, why don't the TV companies pick it up on their own.

[reubenhwk1]

Number6 please get a clue. The analog spectrum that you're using has already been sold for $18+ billion. (http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auction_summary&id=73). The money for your converter box comes from that, not your neighbors. YOU are holding EVERYBODY else back in old world technology and you don't even understand why! DTV will still be free. The government pays for you converter box with money from the sale of the spectrum. You need to stop being so stubborn and resistant to change (especially when it's a change for the better)!



Obama should be supporting this transition. Isn't he the politition who was elected by promising change? Anybody???

[number6]

The governemt can't pay for anything. They can only redistribute what they take from us.

reubenhwk1 said:

Obama should be supporting this transition. Isn't he the politition who was elected by promising change? Anybody???

Sure, we're all for change, but it has to be the right kind of change.

[reubenhwk1]

Number6, This is the right kind of change. Digital is way better then analog. Error correcting, compressed, better color.... How is that not right and better? Why are you so stuck in your ways?

[ARock84]

Always take what the Government gives you with a big Grain of SALT!!! Remember they wanted to change the TV...Seems like a good plan, but now everyone needs money to get these converters! Damn where are we going to get the money for it. The Government will bail us out of course....:( Seems good, but we put our selfs in debt even more. The truth is it sounds like a good plan, but they will get there money back somehow..cough...cOuGh...COUGH... Here come the Taxes! :( :( :(

[GaGirrl]

Wow - are we so blind (and spoiled) by technology that we don't realize that everyone doesn't have access to or can afford some of the basic things you take for granted? According to last statistics, out of the over 112 million TV households, only 58% of them are cable subscribers and less that those are digital (unless you're Comcast, who is trying to force users to go to digital cable).

There is a well-documented and significant ($15K/year) income gap between cable and non-cable households. Folks are still on analog terrestrial TV for a variety of reasons, but I would probably not be out of a limb by saying the biggest reason is cost. "Free tv" isn't free if you have to drop in a $80 converter to equipment you've already paid for to get it.

In some cases, broadcasters are adding to the confusion by talking about the digital cable migration and the analog over-the-air conversion in the same breath. They also waited until way too late (most broadcast networks and providers didn't start airing substantial info about the switch until November 2008) to provide detailed info to the public in terms an average person could understand.

Americas cry about the unfairness of "unfunded mandates" all of the time - why is this one any different?
Congress also screwed themselves over by how they set up the program - instead of funding folks to be mailed coupons, send the actual coupons to retailers selling converter boxes.
You get the discounted value when you buy the unit. When the coupons are gone, they're gone. No ordering coupons "just in case" - you got to spend $ to get the rebate.

[reubenhwk1]

We need to go ahead with this switch as planned regardless of what folks like number6. They ONLY way to get number6 to upgrade is to turn off the analog signal and let her watch static. Only then will he or she reconsider.

[reubenhwk1]

apologies for the poor grammar and spelling mistakes, I'm doing several things at the moment and don't have time to proof read...

[ARock84]

It was free for so long....That I belive that taking it away is not right....Its like asking you reubenhwk1 how much you make? Then saying well you are going to have to upgarde your car to a bugatti veyron since others can affor it...Why can't you. It makes no sense what they are doing... Thats why they offered the cupons, but they will get their money back!

[number6]

If digital is so much better, why does it have to be forced on us? I'm not against digital. I'm against the governments getting invovled in a matter that doesn't concern it.

[reubenhwk1]

OMG! Are you seriously compairing a digital tv to a $1.5 million dollar car? You're SOOO dramatic!

No! It's more like telling people they need to get rid of their Model T Fords and replace them with something safer that gets better gas milage and doesn't endanger the rest of us on the freeways at 65+ mph.

[number6]

How does our keeping analog harm you. Why don't you pay for the switch over yourself instead of using the government to force the rest of us?

[ARock84]

Many people still live by the motto..."if its not broken, don't fix it" Im just saying if you made like 125 a year then you would have to sepend all this extra money to get this new car that they are mandating!