[JimH443]

reubenhwk1 said:

That's so stupid and bleeding-heart! The poor folks can use the coupon.

If they can even get one. Even then, there are no converters that cost less than the value of the coupon.

Quote

Jamaica is doing also doing the switch over Feb 17th. If poor Jamaica can do it, there's no reason we can't other than stupidity, laziness and stubbornness.

Well, that - and scale. Jamaica has a population about that of Kansas. If we were doing the switchover on a state-by-state basis, I'm sure the process would go a whole lot smoother. Come to think of it, why aren't we doing it this way? Is there a compelling reason why every station in the entire country must switch at the same time? It's not like any one station has a coverage of more than 50 miles or so. Why not start in the remote states such as Alaska and Hawaii, and see what the public reaction to this new format is?

[reubenhwk1]

> I don't mind delaying unnecessary change. Why does digital TV have to be implemented?
>

Take a look at the attached link. It explains why digital is better and lists some of the advantages.



searchwarp.com/swa32583.htm



Newer technology always replaces older technology. DVD replaced VHS, Blurays are replacing DVDs, CDs replaced tapes, iPods are replacing CDs, cable and DSL replaced dialup, cell phones are replacing land lines, automobiles replaced horses, rifles replaced sharpened sticks and word processors replaced typewriters. Even if you don't understand why, you can be sure that digital will replace alalog.





> Should the government force people to throw away their old TVs and buy HD TVs?
LCD TV's, while more expensive, use less electricity. With the rising cost of energy, maybe poor folks could even save $ over the lifetime of their TVs by investing in a better TV. Otherwise, the govmt is giving away coupons, so no, the govmt shouldn't and isn't telling people to throw out their old TVs.





> Should we make people throw away their old jeans and wear suits if they're happy with jeans?
No.





> I don't want digital.
Ok. I hope you like books.





> As long as there are broadcasters willing to broadcast in analog should I be denied the freedom to watch it?
You are free to watch whatever you'd like, but the broadcasters will be fined if they continue to broadcast...



[http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lowpwr.html#PENALTIES]







Have fun in the 20th centry! I'll send you a postcard from the 21st!. You're still at 301 Cobblestone Way, Bedrock right? ;)







[/quote]
>

[number6]

pertelote said:

" Should the government force people to throw away their old TVs and buy HD TVs?"

Digital does not equal High-Definition.



The change over is for a digital signal, not a High-Definition signal, they just are not the same thing. Any television set will continue to work, an analog with a set-top converter of any sort, and any digital television set will work.

It was an analogy.

[number6]

[quote name='JimH443']
>

jburgess04 said:

The spectrum is public property, and as such is 'owned' by the government.Wrong. The spectrum is public property, and as such is owned by the PUBLIC. Think of it as the difference between an owner and a broker. When I sell my home, the broker takes care of all the necessary details. When it is sold, the broker takes his/her perscentage... and then >I< get the remainder. The FCC brokered the sale of public property, and the public should get all the money (since they're taking their paychecks from taxpayers' money to begin with).

When the government has title, power to dispose of, and power to use it; it's owned by the government. The idea of public property is a feel-good idea.

[number6]

number6 said:

> I don't mind delaying unnecessary change. Why does digital TV have to be implemented?

Take a look at the attached link. It explains why digital is better and lists some of the advantages.

searchwarp.com/swa32583.htm






Newer technology always replaces older technology. DVD replaced VHS, Blurays are replacing DVDs, CDs replaced tapes, iPods are replacing CDs, cable and DSL replaced dialup, cell phones are replacing land lines, automobiles replaced horses, rifles replaced sharpened sticks and word processors replaced typewriters. Even if you don't understand why, you can be sure that digital will replace alalog.

In all of those cases, it wasn't forced change. The change occured because the product was better in some way or more desirable to the consumer.
>

> As long as there are broadcasters willing to broadcast in analog should I be denied the freedom to watch it?

> You are free to watch whatever you'd like, but the broadcasters will be fined if they continue to broadcast...
>
> [http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lowpwr.html#PENALTIES]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
[/quote]
I wonder why it would be a crime to broadcast in digital. Somebody is being protected.



>

Have fun in the 20th centry! I'll send you a postcard from the 21st!. You're still at 301 Cobblestone Way, Bedrock right? ;)

[/quote]


By the way, I generally don't follow link unless I know where it goes so I'm afraid I didn't check out what you referenced.

[mphenterprises]

Okay, before this gets way out of hand, please keep all responses in line with the article and the Discussion title. The issue at hand is whether or not moving the deadline is a bad idea not the economic needs of the people to which it applies. Please refrain from submitting any derogatory or inflammatory posts. If you have any questions, please feel free to review the {document:id=1000}.

[sheezaym]

Moving the date back would be unfair to broadcasters. Many stations have already made arrangements and have worked hard to meet the deadline date. Managers have already budgeted the money they will save by shutting down their analog transmitters. Since I once worked at a television station I know for a fact that is cost $35,000 per month in electric bills to operate a television transmitter. TV broadcasters also are suffering from the financial economic crunch. This won't help their situation.

[rtfire1]

the whole problem is the repetor systems in most areas are not set up yet. I have a very nice hd tv and cable but i also have my tv pluged in to an antana so i can get local brodcast that are not on cable I have gone from 23 stations to 11 and two of them are new but i have lost all the old that have switched turned of there old system. they should have gotten every thing setup and working 100% and then shut it off

[rcprimak]

If people had not procrastinated this long, they would not have had to ask for an extension on the DTV conversion deadline. I think those who have not yet converted are like people who wait until 11:59 PM April 15th to file their Income Taxes, only to find that the post office has been running their clocks a bit faster, and the place is closed. If you play a game of brinksmanship, you should not be surprised that the government coupon program has run out of money. We were warned this would happen six months ago, before the economic collapse.

[GetReal]

Don't think the Gov has run out of money yet on this(?) I received coupons in Sept. 08 and my married daughter applied for hers between Xmas-New Years on the net. The sign-up page said her coupons would be sent out Jan. 16th. Guess she will know in about 10 more days.