DTV
The Digital TV transition is coming. Are you ready?
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2008-12-18 19:00
On Feb. 17, 2009, over-the-air TV will change forever. That's the date that local stations across the country are switching over to a new digital (DTV) format, with clearer pictures, additional channels, and with broadcast schedules and closed captioning available at the touch of a button.
If you don't have cable or satellite, you may need to get a DTV converter box to keep watching TV after Feb. 17. A government program offering free coupons good for $40 off the cost of a box has effectively run out of money, though you can still get on the waiting list for coupons by calling (888) DTV-2009. However, at this point you shouldn't wait for a coupon before buying a DTV converter, and leave time to try your new equipment before your screen goes black on Feb 17!
Follow the links on our DTV information page for more information on digital TV, and what the transition means to you!
Digital TV coupon program runs out of money
Submitted by jonathan on Mon, 2009-01-05 11:51In a new challenge to the digital TV transition, the government’s program offering $40 coupons for TV converter boxes is out of money, weeks faster than anyone expected.
The Department of Commerce today announced that it now has committed the entire $1.34 billion available for the coupons and is starting to put new requesters on a waiting list.
Government's DTV coupon program may run out of money - soon
Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 2008-12-31 12:31In the latest in an ongoing series of eye-rolling developments, the government agency in charge of the digital television converter box coupon program – the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration – said it will likely stop processing coupon requests as early as next week because it expects to run out of money.
Think about that for a minute. NTIA says it will stop processing coupons at the precise moment that consumers will be needing them most – the last few weeks leading up to the digital television switchover.
FCC's Martin discusses telecom, DTV matters before stepping down as Chairman
Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 2008-12-31 12:25FCC Chairman Kevin Martin does not see much chance of tightening program-access complaint rules or getting his free broadband proposal out the door before he exits as chairman in mid-January.
He is more sanguine about the prospects for the digital-television transition, though he concedes there will be challenges, including possibly running out of available money for DTV-to-analog converter boxes.
President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team has reportedly pushed for a more concentrated and coordinated call center program to field viewers’ calls around the time of the Feb. 17, 2009, switch. Martin says broadcasters will need to step up—NAB already has announced a call center plan—but that funds they have requested from the FCC would be subject to government contracting rules.
In Washington State, free recycling available for old TVs, electronics
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2008-12-25 08:49Washington residents looking to safely get rid of old computers and TVs can do so for free when a new statewide recycling program begins next year.
A state law that starts Jan. 1 allows consumers to bring unwanted computer monitors, laptops and TVs to 200 permanent collection sites at no charge.
But those getting brand-new TVs and laptops for the holidays and itching to dump the old ones are urged not to rush the recycling sites immediately.
In move to digital TV, confusion is in the air
Submitted by jonathan on Tue, 2008-12-23 09:28The Federal Communications Commission sponsored a Nascar race car as part of its effort to inform Americans that on Feb. 18, television signals transmitted over the air will be transmitted solely in digital format. Old TV sets will no longer work.
It paid $350,000 to emblazon “The Digital TV Transition” and other phrases on a Ford driven by David Gilliland.
So how’s that going? In November, the car crashed during a Nascar race in Phoenix. It was the second crash in as many months.
And how is the digital TV transition going? According to critics, about as well, despite a major marketing campaign that includes nightly ads on TV.
Markey worried about DTV preparations
Submitted by jonathan on Mon, 2008-12-22 08:09Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Chair Ed Markey (D-MA) has fired off letters to FCC’s Kevin Martin and NTIA’s Meredith Attwell-Baker requesting a briefing on the state of affairs with the DTV transition and the converter box coupon program.
Tech firms rally against pro-union card-check legislation
Submitted by jonathan on Sun, 2008-12-21 11:03The Employee Free Choice Act—better known as "card check" legislation—is at the top of organized labor's wish list for the next Congress. But as card check moves from pipe dream to political possibility, wary tech firms are starting to rally in opposition.
Seattle, other high-tech cities included in "at risk" list for DTV transition
Submitted by jonathan on Thu, 2008-12-18 19:28Seattle and San Francisco have been included in a list of seven urban centers with "at risk" communities for the February 2009 transition to digital television.
According to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland and Seattle/Tacoma were included because they have relatively high numbers of residents who watch analog over-the-air television broadcasts and relatively low participation in the NTIA's TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
Obama asks broadcasters to help consumers prepare for DTV transition
Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 2008-12-10 13:52The Obama crowd is not waiting for Inauguration Day to begin managing the FCC-regulated media.
At a meeting in Washington last Friday, Obama transition team officials demanded that broadcasters and cable operators establish or help fund call centers to handle the anticipated flood of complaints and questions in the wake of the analog cut-off on Feb. 17, 2009.
