FCC's Kevin Martin proposes alternatives for delaying DTV transition

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.

[Johan S @ Jan 12th 2009 4:12AM]

If Obama thinks delaying the transition will avoid issues and make him look good, he's wrong. People who have not bought the boxes by Feb 17th won't have them by July 17th either, nor will they have them by 2010. But in 2010 people will blame Obama for the chaos (caused by themselves) instead of Bush (who isn't at fault either).

[zioncat @ Jan 12th 2009 9:11AM]

I agree with you analog is a thing of the past. Delaying the change over will not help the situation at all.

[fastm3driver @ Jan 12th 2009 11:19AM]

I'm not sure who the next person will be running against Obama in 4 years but he/she probably already has my vote. Clearly he doesn't get it and this is not the change I was looking for.

[JSH @ Jan 12th 2009 1:12PM]

The first of many stupid, rash, not-thought-out decisions Obama will make as president.....I didn't vote for him.

[superhobo @ Jan 12th 2009 4:21AM]

People still watch TV?

[Plothole @ Jan 12th 2009 4:52AM]

There are people who don't?

[genaldar @ Jan 12th 2009 10:14AM]

Everyone watches TV, its just some people get their TV online.

Most of the ones that I've met who do so act like watching TV is a waste of time (in fact a friend of mine said she prefers to do more constructive things, then not 10 minutes later talked about watching the entire Buffy series on DVD over the course of a week).

[Joylove @ Jan 12th 2009 4:47AM]

I'd start by doing trial switch-offs, say 24 then later 48, then 72 (etc) hours of downtime (After Feb 17th), playing a testcard saying why it is down. Shut it down completely by the end of Feb.

[superfresh @ Jan 12th 2009 8:29AM]

+1

[bondsbw @ Jan 12th 2009 8:31AM]

I agree with the test card idea, but since there are broadcasters already planning on getting rid of equipment on Feb. 17, I would rather all markets be required to display the test card on half the screen for a week in advance.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jan 12th 2009 8:55AM]

Americans might not be the brightest, but they love TV. Turn it off, and they'll figure out what to buy verrrry quickly to get it back on.

[pvilleSE @ Jan 12th 2009 12:25PM]

They shouldn't need to do this. Our local channels have had banners going through our shows for months. If people don't know by now they need a box to keep watching TV in Feb I don't think they watch enough TV for it to matter. This has been scheduled for so long we need to just do it an move on so the frequencies can be used for new things. The only people I'm worried about are the old people who don't understand and their kids don't care enough about them to help them through this and no delay is going to fix that.

[sukru @ Jan 12th 2009 5:10AM]

Some people will not switch, until they see their equipment is no longer working. And only way to ensure that is turning off the analog singal.

[GregA @ Jan 12th 2009 5:39AM]

Why am I always the one that has to point out the obvious solution???

Instead of the stations just going to dead air, put them on a PSA for a week or a month that explains that analog tv is over and how to make their tv work with the new system.

That way you preserve the emergency broadcast system for a while and explain the switchover. End of problem.

I fear for our future that no one has considered this possibility but for me.

[tuaamin13 @ Jan 12th 2009 6:16AM]

I too thought of using the analog spectrum to broadcast: "this is why you're not watching American Idol right now" and explain more about the transition. Repeat it in 3-4 languages if you have to.

Unfortunately I don't think the future is any less bleak with 2 of us having thought that.

[kevin @ Jan 12th 2009 7:49AM]

@greg: I'm pretty sure I read somewhere this weekend that they're actually doing just that. If you don't have the right equipment after the cutoff, your TV will display a screen explaining why you're not seeing anything, and telling you what you need to do to change that.

[superfresh @ Jan 12th 2009 8:26AM]

@greg: I fear for your children.

[Mike @ Jan 12th 2009 9:24AM]

Exactly, just shut it off as proposed and keep the PSA up on the analog stations that tell them if they're seeing this message, they are not properly hooked up for the digital switchover, and direct them to a phone number or website (if those unwitting folks even have internet) on how they can get hooked up properly.

I mean, good God, people, there's been an advertising blitz about this for the past year now, how much more do people have to do to get them ready? At this point, if they're not ready, maybe it's because they don't care or it's not a high priority for them.

[L.T. @ Jan 12th 2009 12:03PM]

There is no guarantee that TV will work as adequately as it has in the past after the transition. We did some digital receive testing at the last TV station I was at, the VHF full power stations digital signals were next to unusable in places where the analog signal was just fine.

I think many consumers will be disappointed by the actual digital signal, and on the phone to the nearest cable or dish provider on February 18th.

LT

[DataGuy @ Jan 12th 2009 1:15PM]

I was in a waiting room last month watching the local Fox affiliate's morning show. They had just such of a PSA test, with the anchor saying, "If you continue to see me in a few seconds, you're receiving digital signals and don't have to do anything. If not, you'll see information on what you need to do." Then he disappeared, replaced by a scrolling, narrated explanation of the transition and the options--that ran annoyingly for about 10 minutes. Ironically though, the waiting room TV was not using an OTA antenna but was the local feed from satellite...

[Soatari @ Jan 12th 2009 5:35AM]

This has been in motion for two years and has been heavily advertised for the last year. Anyone who doesn't get with the program by the cutoff date only has themselves to blame for slacking.

Of all the suggestions and propositions put forward by this whole ordeal that makes sense is voiding the expiration on the coupons.

[-Tj- @ Jan 12th 2009 5:40AM]

Still scheduled for 15th of January in Hawaii, regardless of any change of date. We're apparently going to be the nation's guinea pig.

So if we suddenly explode, don't worry... we're not connected to the continental U.S.

[Obama @ Jan 12th 2009 5:49AM]

Yes, we can!

NOT!

[keithwwalker @ Jan 12th 2009 6:22AM]

I knew it, Obama and his crew are a bunch of Luddites.

[travis @ Jan 12th 2009 6:27AM]

I don't know what the issue is really....

How many people use cable or satellite? This is probably a very high percentage.These folks are unaffected.

Found 2 stats (not recent but...) roughly 60% homes have cable, 30% have satellite.

Of the remaining people, how many have bought a tv in the last - 4 yrs (i think they started having digital tuners then)?

Of the remaining - how many haven't gotten a tuner yet? It can't be that problematic...

Or am I just too naive?

As for me:
I saw them advertising DTV tuner cards on tv about 2 - 3 months ago. Got the card right away, got it hooked up and voila - clear looking tv. I have no idea why people would be sitting on those rebate cards and not go to best buy or whatever...

[Johan S @ Jan 12th 2009 8:04AM]

The issue is that the coupon is for $40 and the boxes are $49 .. I think there is tax added on too so that's like $15 out of pocket for most people, and that's assuming they understand the need. And believe it or not there are a lot of old people on social security who can't afford that $15. The proper way to have done this is to have sent out the DTV boxes like phone books or something .. I bet these boxes cost $5 to make in China so competitive bidding would have gotten the cost down. Also for 2 weeks after the transition they should transmit a loop about the need to get a DTV box and an 800 number to call for service to have someone come over and do it. Oh yeah Obama should be in that loop too saying how it isn't his fault.

[lucas @ Jan 12th 2009 9:26AM]

it is rather scary that folks will keep up with the latest tv trend. I've heard of little old ladies on social security that will make sure they have the hippest new tv so they can get their soaps with a good strong signal.

in the end, how many folks does this really hurt. probably not that many. which is why they didn't just dump a box on every door. they knew they didn't need one for every household and this gave them a way of not overspending on that issue. Perhaps if more cable companies did a $5-10 'broadcast only' plan like comcast used to here in LA (and time warner has to order on a grandfather for me) they wouldn't need to worry at all in some areas.

and really, what's the harm in a few folks being without tv for a little bit. might get them up off their fat butts and, I don't know, force them to get a little exercise. which is such a terrible thing

[djfake @ Jan 12th 2009 7:57AM]

Yeah, no idea why Obama wants to change the date. I'm also not sure what the deal with the coupon thing was about. Someone's making a lot of money on those digital tuner boxes. I bought one from Best Buy for $65 (including tax), and after buying the coupon it I was out of pocket $25. Then I plugged it in at home and holy cow, I got more TV than I'd ever thought I could get over-the-air.

This weekend I put a $59 antenna in my attic. I no longer have any "cliff-effect", rabbit ears, or weak signals, and can pull in FM radio as well.

The DTV switch is a good thing, let's let it happen.

[Dano @ Jan 12th 2009 8:24AM]

Why do only those that require a box get a $40 tax-payer subsidized gift.

Everyone, tuner box or new TV, deserves a $40 tax-payer subsidized gift.

Please send my check to Al Gore, earmarked for Green Credits.

[inteller @ Jan 12th 2009 8:48AM]

I think this whole debacle speaks volumes to the culture of irresponsibility in this country. We had a deadline that was set YEARS in advance and now they want to change it..? What's next? "Oh, a lot of people's taxes aren't done yet, can we just move the deadline back a few months?"

Give me a break. If grandma in the hood didn't see the commercials by now and take action, then let her stare at snow come Feb 17th. The phones will still be working and she can call to figure out what happened.

[Musicman247 @ Jan 12th 2009 8:49AM]

This whole situation + economic mess is playing holy hell with the TV stations. I have a friend who works in production at one of the biggest stations in our area and he says that they've had to pay millions of dollars to make the dtv transition, and now with the economic downturn they're having to let people go left and right. It doesn't seem fair to the TV stations to change the date. They've had to make these changes out of pocket in preparation and are ready for the Feb. date.

[ty18 @ Jan 12th 2009 9:07AM]

I hear ya. Next thing we'll be hearing about in the news is an economic bailout for the networks.

[Scott @ Jan 12th 2009 8:55AM]

unless you have been living under a rock the past 2 years, everyone knows this is coming.

Just get it done and be done with it.

[LelloB @ Jan 14th 2009 10:23PM]

With all the OTHER PROBLEMS we have in this country,why worry about TV,good start for the new president let him go out and get a box now if he is not ready.

[scape @ Jan 12th 2009 9:09AM]

it's terrible to think people even use an analog antenna for tv, it's time to come in to the second half of the 20th century, let alone the first decade of the 21st! i mean, who are these people that actually use this technology? if you can afford a tv and electricity to power it, you certainly can afford the cheap converter box; otherwise you have larger fish to fry, as it were.

[Peter @ Jan 12th 2009 8:23PM]

TV antennaes aren't the problem - people that live in rural areas use them all the time, and there's nothing wrong w/ it. The problem is the idiots who can't pay attention to something even when it's heavily publicized for months/years like this. I'm w/ the folks above - shut the analog off, let them figure out what happened and go to Best Buy the same day to pick up the box. If they can't afford the $15 or whatever the delta is on cost, that's rough, but delaying the transition won't change that, so do it now.

[Jon @ Jan 12th 2009 9:45AM]

HAHA... the government has years to get this right, pushing back the date numerous times. If the Federal government can't even get this right.... why on god's earth would people have any faith in nationalized healthcare?!?!??! Wow... people are rediculous.

[Shawn Garringer @ Jan 12th 2009 10:07AM]

The government already does nationalized health care, and they do it fairly well (read: cheaply) for veterans, old people and poor people. So, I think they should extend that to everyone else.

And do you really think they're going to have the same people who are heading up the DTV transition doing national health care? I'm sure that fits right in with the FCC's mandate. That's like saying "because Wal-Mart sells cheap electronics, I don't believe in getting my prescription filled there". Two totally unrelated things. I take it you're a republican. You have nothing against the way the government protects your freedom and security with the standing army, I mean, considering they can't even figure out how to change from Analog to Digital TV, how do you think they can manage to protect your freedom.

[Jon @ Jan 12th 2009 11:15AM]

@ Shawn, point taken. I am a republican, you pegged that one correctly. Obviously, I was not implying that the FCC would be involved in nationalized healthcare! haha, although hilarity would ensue for sure. And I have several problems with the way the government protects my freedom, but that isn't the point. The point is whether or not that is its mandate, its purpose. The federal government's purpose is to protect our national borders, not provide national healthcare with taxpayer dollars. The federal government's powers should be few and definite (to provide those services the states themselves cannot), using taxpayer dollars to give everyone healthcare is not one of those powers or its purpose. I'm a big proponent of smaller federal government with less spending and less intrusion in people's lives. It's funny, for example, how liberals (not speaking about you) don't want the government to have a say in what a woman does with her body (pro-choice, of which I am a strong supporter), but when it comes to healthcare, then sure, it can have a say in what doctor I choose, what medication I can buy, etc. It's inconsistent to want the government in your life sometimes and not others. Usually, people want the government in their lives when they aren't paying the bill, or a large portion of the bill. In any case, this is a big discussion that we could have in the proper venue, but an Engadget post about DTV probably isn't it haha, and we'll get flamed for being off topic if we continue.

[Sporkinum @ Jan 12th 2009 9:53AM]

I wish they would run PSA's for the people that went out and bought new TV's and then run them at the wrong aspect ratio. I was at my Dad's over the holidays, and he had no idea his picture was weird until I showed him. They still didn't care, because they thought it should "fill" the screen.

[Tyson @ Jan 12th 2009 9:59AM]

I'm not sure if this will post and maybe is a case of the mondays but seriously they have advertised this for like 2 years if you didn't get your shit together by now fuck you, you will not be an impediment to progress.

[JR @ Jan 12th 2009 7:05PM]

I get 4 or 5 channels in analog, but only 2 in digital. Tell me, please, how this is a good thing? Cable isn't an option, Direct and Dish Network sat TV all tell me they would need to clearcut the forest to supply service. The forest is why we live here, in teh rural woods.

Don't email me, just be aware that the digital conversion isn't a good thing for all.

[Xoyuji @ Jan 12th 2009 7:43PM]

It aint just you; I live outside a major city and loss 5 channels

[joe sixpack @ Jan 12th 2009 11:16AM]

many millions of people, who live below the poverty line, still watch OTA analog TV.

many millions of others, still watch broadcast network TV. [hint broadcast]

the networks were so worried that ratings [and ad revenue] midway through Feb sweeps, would plummet, because of the transition, that nielsen has moved the sweeps to March [which genius scheduled it during Feb sweeps in the first place]?

even if you are already set up for DTV, you probaly need to change your antenna, as they are shifting the digital from UHF only, to mixed UHF and VHF. another genius move.

OTA DTV has been up and running well for at least 4 years. Its actually the best digital picture quality/5.1 sound you can get. period. [much better than compressed cable/satellite feed]

the transition is a cl*ster F*)k

its a nice change to see a President acknowledge that, and not just blindly stay the course.

you're doing a heckuva job, Bush FCC appointees. [who dont watch broadcast, and neither do their fellow skull and bones pals]

[BeholdersEye @ Jan 12th 2009 11:24AM]

The FCC really screwed this up from the start.

1) The gov't was late to demand the manufactories to stop making standard and start make hdtv only, so millions of standard units were made and sold that will be 'useless' in short order.
2) The first wide screens 'monitors' owners were screwed over because they need to buy additional over priced $300+ hd receivers, and will not be compensated ($40 coupon)
3) The all hdtv units up to February 2009 absolutely should have had both standard and hd receivers built in.
4) The first hdtv units were only available in 50-60 inch units only the rich can afford. What about the rest of us and the portable versions?
5) The gov't told the makers of converter boxes they could not sell any box to the public until after February 2008, at which time when the $40 coupon was available but no converter boxes were to be had.
6) The converter boxes should have been available with the first hdtv broadcast was on the air several years ago.
7) Did anyone ever seen a converter boxes at any electronic trades show, ever?
8) Converter boxes are been sold sight unseen, no hands on try outs at any store or e-store being sold at. So all products are bough on a trial and error with little support to return for a better unit/product. Pissing people off with endless no satisfaction.
9) Converter boxes have no surround sound output, fu-king up home theater setups.
10) Way too many manufactures selling too few of the so called over priced converter boxes, when we only needed 5 or 6 manufactures with feature full, well made, low priced boxes, to help keep low cost.
11) Most of the current converter boxes are crap.

[joe sixpack @ Jan 12th 2009 12:02PM]

@beholderseye

you might be getting confused with digital [dtv] and HDTV

not all OTA[over the air] DTV is HD. some is Standard Definition. Some networks, NBC, ABC most PBS, broadcast in SD only on their subchannels. Others don't have subchannels, like Fox, CBS, CW

you don't need an HDTV to watch OTA DTV

DTV converter/set top boxes have been for sale for years, and they do have 5.1 audio digital o/p as well a digital picture [hdmi/earlier DVI]

this is a good example of why its all a cluster f$%k.

massive confusion

[Plothole @ Jan 12th 2009 6:04PM]

I'm betting that the stores are at least partly to blame for the mix up between DTV (Digital TV) and HDTV (High Definition TV). On a few occasions I've overheard sales representatives tell people that they HAD to have an HDTV to continue watching their programs after Feb. 09. Maybe they themselves were ignorant, or maybe they were trying to push products. I couldn't say for sure. In any case I did try to set the customers that they were talking to straight on the matter.

[Michael @ Jan 12th 2009 11:26AM]

There are an estimated 7 million households that do not have cable or satellite and have also NOT received a converter box. In addition, the federal program to setup to handle the coupons and education has run out of funding. They will not be providing new coupons.

A consumer report survey recently turned up interesting data. 29% of those surveyed believed that they needed to purchase a NEW television. 25% believed that they needed to sign up for cable or satellite.

I believe that cable, satellite and others have been taking advantage of people and scaring them into thinking OTA television will not exist after the 17th.

[Peter @ Jan 12th 2009 8:35PM]

Who cares though? I mean, people need to take responsibility for their own lives here. If they can't go to their local library and do 30 seconds worth of research to find out what they need, then they can live without TV. Good lord.

And I'm sorry if people can't afford the cost of the converter box with/without the coupon, but again that's on them - the fact that there even was a government coupon was generous in my opinion (did we all get free CD players or coupons for them when the world was ready to retire cassette tapes? I know it's different in that this is a gov't thing, but come on...). TV is not some God-given right, everyone can deal without it for a few days/weeks/months if it comes to that. Radios still will receive emergency alerts if that's the big concern...

[TheBeholdersEye @ Jan 12th 2009 11:34AM]

There is only one $40 converter box out there, today, the well made and worth the money, TR-40 by dish.