Switchover -- Engadget

switchover posts

Stations can still yank analog plug this month, though many won't

by Darren Murph posted Feb 6th 2009 at 5:20AM

Wow, this isn't confusing. At all. The on-again / off-again digital TV transition date -- which is now formally set for June 12th -- may or may not be honored by the hundreds upon hundreds of local broadcasters across America. You see, when Congress postponed the mandatory cutover date from its original place on the calender (February 17th), it also gave stations the option of sticking to that original date. Thus, what could end up happening is that half a city's local OTA stations would go all-digital in under two weeks, while the others delayed things until June. The good news is that most of the major US television networks (that's CBS, ABC, FOX and NBC) have reportedly decided to hold off until the new June date in order to prevent a chaotic series of events, but it's hard to say if each individual station will indeed abide. The bottom line? Get your converter box now if you need one, and if you're waiting around for one of those $40 vouchers, hats off to you and your patience.

Read - Optional cutover
Read - Broadcaster intent

Digital TV transition delay bill fails to pass in House

by Darren Murph posted Jan 28th 2009 at 1:36PM

In an absolutely shocking move, the United States House of Representatives has failed to pass the digital TV transition delay bill that was all but certain to fly through just days ago. The bill needed two-thirds of the votes of the House under "special rules adopted for the vote," and reportedly, the vote was just 258 to 168 in favor of changing the date. As it stands, an estimated 6.5 million Americans are not yet prepared for the switch -- which is now back on track for February 17th -- and the money well for government-issued vouchers has ran dry. Honestly, we're elated to hear the news. The February date has been blasted from the rooftops for years now, and changing it this late in the game would wreak all kinds of havoc in the industry, not to mention instill even more confusion. Soon-to-be-vacated airwaves, we're ready for you.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Senate okays digital TV transition delay to June 12th

by Darren Murph posted Jan 26th 2009 at 8:05PM

We knew it was bound to happen, and sure enough, it's happening. For the millions of Americans still waiting for their $40 voucher before buying one of those newfangled DTV converter boxes, the US Senate has just given its stamp of approval on providing them a four month reprieve as it attempts to get its act together. Oddly, there's no mention of Congress looking for new sources of funding, though we are told that consumers holding expired coupons can now request new ones. We suspect more details will flow out on all of this soon, but for now, you can bank on the digital TV transition -- originally scheduled to go down on February 17th -- now occurring on June 12th. Until it changes again, of course.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Obama's administration supports June DTV transition postponement

by Darren Murph posted Jan 16th 2009 at 3:50PM

Well, wouldn't you know it. It seems like West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller has the same idea as the Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), as he introduced legislation on Thursday that would effectively postpone the digital TV transition from its current date of February 17th to June 12th. On top of that, John Podesta -- the co-chairman of Barack Obama's transition team -- has issued a letter to Congress signifying that the president-elect supports the aforementioned proposal. The delay would supposedly give the government more time to find funding for the now 2 million-deep voucher waiting list, and we're told that House lawmakers are "considering similar legislation and may schedule a vote as soon as next week." Here's a thought -- why aren't we spending our time getting the money now and keeping the confusion to a minimum?

Digital TV subsidy program nearly dry: get your vouchers now

by Darren Murph posted Jan 5th 2009 at 2:15PM

When the FCC's Kevin Martin asserted that the 2009 digital TV transition subsidy program was nearing the end of its financial rope back in October, no one really paid him any mind. After all, this ain't the FCC's gig. Now, however, an AP report on the topic is confirming the fears, noting that the NTIA itself is "warning that unless lawmakers step in quickly with more funding or new accounting rules, it will have to create a waiting list for coupon requests." Should this occur, new vouchers would only be sent out once previously mailed vouchers expired without being used. As of now, only $68.2 million of the $1.34 billion set aside for this program remains free, and after February 17th comes and goes, you can bet the interest will skyrocket. Moral of the story? Get your request in now if you're in need (check here to see if you are).

[Via ShellyPalmerMedia]

Update: The well is dry! Yikes!

FCC cancels white space meeting to focus on digital TV transition

by Darren Murph posted Dec 15th 2008 at 12:05AM

Man, we're clearly in the wrong line of work. It seems that being in the FCC means that you can basically ignore everything else going on so long as you squint really hard and pretend to make progress on an imminent event that's just over two months ago. Sure, we're just bitter, but we're struggling to understand why an agency this large can't work towards auctioning a slice of soon-to-be-freed airwaves for widespread internet use while educating consumers on the digital TV transition that's coming in February. Caving to requests from Democratic lawmakers, the FCC has canceled a December 18th meeting that would've been used to discuss the next step in making the most of white spaces, but unless we see these very suits walking the streets with signs saying "THE END IS NEAR! FEBRUARY 17TH, 2009!," we're going to be rather peeved.

[Via phonescoop]

DTV converter coupons start to arrive, get pictured

by Darren Murph posted Feb 28th 2008 at 5:59PM

Earlier this week, we posted up a poll to find out just how many of you were planning on utilizing those $40 government-issued vouchers just as soon as they arrived in your mailbox. Now, however, we're seeing the first reports of early appliers receiving their pair of coupons in all of their credit card-sized glory. Nothing too special here -- just a couple of wallet-friendly cards good for $40 off (most) DTV converter boxes out there. But being the geeks that we are, we're strangely satisfied with seeing images proving that these are actually real. Head on over to Engadget HD to check out the gallery!

[Thanks, Alec A.]

T-minus one year till the US analog shutoff: are you ready?

by Darren Murph posted Feb 17th 2008 at 2:00PM

Surely you knew what today was, right? No? Fret not, as Engadget HD has taken the time to consolidate the plethora of 2009 analog shutoff information into one handy guide. Are you ready for the DTV transition that will be going down exactly one year from today? Find out right over here.

Digital TV upgrade vouchers to go out soon

by Nilay Patel posted Feb 15th 2008 at 6:03PM

The digital TV transition might be confusing sales clerks nationwide, but if there's anything that most people understand, it's cold, hard cash -- and if you applied for one of the FCC's switchover coupons, you might want to start checking that mailbox: the $40 vouchers are being mailed out soon. 9,700 stores are already set to accept the coupon for approved digital TV tuners next week, with another 7,000 to come online in the next few months. Of course, only over-the-air television viewers are affected -- cable and satellite customers will continue to ~~be swindled mercilessly by Comcast~~ get TV with no disruption at all when analog broadcasts are switched off.

PSA: not all big box employees understand the DTV transition

by Darren Murph posted Feb 14th 2008 at 5:04PM

Although Circuity City has claimed that its employees are trained and well equipped to handle any questions you may have concerning the digital TV transition, we'd highly recommend taking any ~~advice~~ sales pitches you receive in-store with a sizable spoonful of salt. According to new data from MassPIRG, sales clerks at Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Target and Wal-Mart "routinely gave inaccurate information about digital TV converter boxes and the government coupon program" when questioned by undercover researchers. Rather than get into what schemes were used (hint: buying a new set was often suggested over picking up an el cheapo converter), here's an overview of the facts. First off, you won't even be affected by the cutover if you receive your local broadcast stations via any means other than over-the-air. Secondly, all that's needed to convert digital OTA signals to signals that your analog set can digest is a (relatively) inexpensive converter box. Lastly, we wouldn't even recommend paying full price for said box -- you know, considering that the government's handing out $40 coupons to anyone who signs up here. So yeah, next time you catch some young buck trying to push that pricey HDTV rather than actually help you out, feel free to put him / her in their place.

[Via Electronic House, image courtesy of StarBulletin]

FCC gives broadcasters more flexibility in 2009 digital TV cutover

by Darren Murph posted Dec 31st 2007 at 10:01PM

Just a few months back, the FCC approved a set of rules for the 2009 digital TV transition, but now the entity is apparently okaying even more guidelines that will give US broadcasters "more flexibility in making the switch to digital television from traditional analog signals." More specifically, the new rules would allow some stations to make a "phased transition" to digital broadcasting, and furthermore, these stations will also "be allowed to reduce or terminate their analog service before the February 17, 2009 deadline for the transition if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition." According to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the new rules are being enacted in order to "provide broadcasters the flexibility they need while at the same time ensuring that any disruption to over-the-air viewers is minimized to the fullest extent possible." Still, even those affected by the cutover will have ample time to pick up a converter box, and considering that some stations may now start the switch before February of '09, acting soon is looking better all the time.

LG's Zenith-branded DTT900 converter box gets pictured

by Darren Murph posted Nov 14th 2007 at 8:58AM

It's not everyday that you see Zenith hanging out on the cutting-edge, but for those camping out under a rock since 1995, you should probably be informed that LG owns a majority share of the company. If you'll recall, LG was tooting its own horn just last week about having the first digital-to-analog converter box to be certified for the US Commerce Department's coupon program, and if two and two really equal four, the unit you see pictured above is indeed the device that was previously referenced. The DTT900 was developed and produced by LG, but it will apparently be sold under the Zenith brand name -- you know, so it'll blend in better with that 80s-era TV.

John Kneuer resigning as digital TV transition chief

by Darren Murph posted Nov 11th 2007 at 2:18PM

It's been no secret that lawmakers have been sweating the fact that not a whole lot of Americans are truly informed about the quickly approaching 2009 digital TV cutover, and now it seems the effort to spread the word will be led by someone new. John Kneuer, the current head, will be stepping down this month "to pursue new opportunities," leaving the role of administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. An agency spokesman did note that the resignation was Kneuer's "own decision" and that his departure "would have no impact on the preparations for the transition. As it stands, Meredith Baker, deputy assistant secretary, will be stepping in to cover his duties, but the White House should be nominating an official replacement soon enough.

The digital TV switchover begins... in Britain

by Darren Murph posted Oct 17th 2007 at 6:04PM

We're still quite a few ~~days~~ months away from our official analog-to-digital cutover, but the lads (and dames) in Britain aren't wasting any time. Reportedly, the nation is already preparing to begin the switchover, starting in the northwest English resort of Whitehaven with BBC2. This initial move will affect around 25,000 households, and it was noted that the "other analog channels" would be switched off on November 14th. 'Course, Britain as a whole isn't scheduled to go 100-percent digital until 2012, but that didn't stop kiddos at a local primary school from "burying an analog time capsule to recall how television was before the change." Kids these days... they've got it good.

[Image courtesy of BBC]

Best Buy kicks analog TVs to the curb

by Matt Burns posted Oct 17th 2007 at 1:48PM

Best Buy is saying sayonara to analog TVs by announcing that it has pulled all analog sets from its shelves, which marks the first time a big box retailer of this magnitude has publicly announced an exit from the analog TV biz. Of course, this decision now enables the firm to shamelessly proclaim that any television purchased within the confines of its brick and mortar walls will work in the all-digital future -- and for those not willing to pick up a new set, it also stated that it will be participating in the NTIA DTV Converter Box Coupon Program starting early next year. At first glance, the announcement sounds like much needed progress towards getting folks ready for the 2009 switchover, but for moms and pops scouting a 13-inch analog CRT on the cheap for that garage / playroom, it looks like you'll be "forced" to check out one with a digital tuner... or an LCD. As if you needed another excuse, right?