FCC's Kevin Martin proposes alternatives for delaying DTV transition
By Darren Murph 
posted January 11th 2009 7:07PM
posted January 11th 2009 7:07PM
Shortly after Barack Obama's transition team urged Congress to postpone the looming digital TV transition, FCC chairman Kevin Martin has hit back with suggestions to keep things on track. His primary concern is that delaying the cutover, which has been scheduled for years and advertised as such, will confuse consumers -- and honestly, we think he has a point. If the February 17th changeover date suddenly becomes meaningless, we could definitely see consumer confusion about this whole ordeal hitting an all-time high. Martin was quoted at an interview at CES as saying that "there are options they can do without having to delay to get coupons flowing immediately," suggesting that extra funding should be hastily given or that those 90-day expiration dates be marked null and void. Additionally, many broadcasters have already scheduled work to take down their analog equipment, and cancellations could be costly and disruptive. Oh, brother -- just call us when this mess is over.
Considering that this transition was supposed to happen in 2006, if people aren't ready at this point then they never will be. Let's just get the show on the road already.
To add to this, they've been talking about it since 2000. Just get it over with already and deal with any problems afterward which will come up now matter what because people are ignorant. If people aren't prepared by now, it's their own fault and stupidity. The coupons cut the cost to nearly nothing, and if a person can't afford the $5-$20 price tag post coupon for at least one box, I think they have bigger problems to worry about than watching American Idol.
One question: Are broadcasters expected to devote more power to the digital signal once they no longer have to power the analog signals? I've seen the FCC maps of all the stations showing gains in coverage area AFTER the transition (I guess to combat the digital cliff effect). Does this mean that the sucky signal the little portable DTV I got my dad will actually get more than two channels after February 17th? I haven't seen a clear answer on whether all the broadcasters are currently under-powering their digital towers since they are also still powering the analog, and once they are freed of the analog power consumption, they can divert some of the power to the digital side.
Yeah, Kevin - don't let them back out now! This "transition" is already almost 13 years long, and the stations that have cutoff analog already have had minimal problems.
Deal with the exeptions if politically necessary, but don't bring the whole thing to a halt for heaven' sake.
It's time to PUSH the runt fledgelings out of the nest. If they haven't figured out what to do about the TV transition by now, the only way they'll figure it out is if you force them to ask the question, "What the Hell is going on with my TV?" Then the people at consumer electronics stores will not be able to confuse anyone, because they'll know without a doubt that they need the converter box. Even the morons that work at the stores will be able to say confidently that the person needs the converter box.
If people haven't made the switch now, they NEVER will unless they are forced to. TV is NOT LIFE and DEATH. If you loose access, maybe you'll then get off your butt and get a Box, or just forget about TV and read a book, or go outside for a walk. Causing a bunch of Company's millions on a Delay, especially during these times is just DUMB. You could wait another 10 years and nothing would change, in fact it may just get even worse. Either do it on the date, or just completely forget about it all together.
Why not have the major networks add some countdown tickers or overlays onto the majority of their programming? Like throw a small "20 day" countdown thing in the corner, then scroll some details across the screen every hour or so.
give it time...
This is simple:
Stop supporting welfare programs.
If they do continue analog after the 17th, please DO NOT broadcast regular programming. That way when dear ol' dad flips on Everybody Loves Raymond, he is greeted with a screen that says something like, "Your TV is NOT broken! Go to your local electronics store and ask for a converter box! Do it now!"
Secondly, there are going to be millions of CRT TVs out on curbs in the next few weeks. Please do something about recycling! There is going to be so much lead, gold, glass, and other items that could easily be worth a LOT of money. Have you seen commodity prices?
Here is the funny thing. The president has no power over the FCC. It is a creature of the Congress. If the FCC declines the president's request, the only one with power to change their decision is Congress. Given all of the other pressing issues of our day, will Congress take time out to compel the FCC to change the date? It's doubtful.
That said, this is a real problem, especially in parts of the country prone to dangerous weather. Without the converter boxes, those who receive TV OTA (approx 25% of all American households do) will not be able to hear the warnings by TV. Spring is fast approaching, with its tornadoes, hurricanes, and nasty thunderstorms.
Although I think the idea to change to all digital TV is a good one, I'm bothered by how much of the trade deficit is wrapped up in buying these little converter boxes. Because the boxes are not made in the US, you do the math at 25% of all potential households multiplied by $80. The FCC gave China one heck of a gift.
There already is one. At least my local analog stations ARE broadcasting a commercial about 15 seconds long that has an accurate count down on it to the number of days remaining. It also shows a TV showing nothing but static and gives it as an example of what will happen on that date without a DTV box...
What more could people ask for? How stupid can you be to not understand a message like that?
Indecision is extremely expensive. Remember how Microsoft screwed up the Vista Ready badging by changing their minds and awarding the Intel integrated graphics chip "Vista Ready" even though it only ran Vista basic? Screwed over HP and a lot of other Vendors out of a lot of money.
.. Either meet the deadline or cancel the transition altogether. I am disappointed that Obama wants to change the date of the transition.. There's no reason for it.
Borrow the money, raise taxes, do whatever the heck you need to keep the transition date and honor the coupons..