Open letter to the FCC and major broadcasters

The time has come for you to truly begin educating the public on our transition to digital television. Yes, I understand that you have the DTV website, but please recognize that people have to find your site on the internet. Why not use a more targeted medium to explain digital television transition impacts; perhaps using television itself? If people are unsure of digital television technologies, it's safe to assume that they may not be savvy Internet users either.

Please consider putting together some brief television programs that explain our plans for digital television as a nation. Identify and explain the options to the American consumers and try to outline the deadlines for transition. Educate the public on what they need to receive digital television signals. I encourage you to work with the major networks and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) to help produce the informational messages. In fact, I implore the networks to run these messages at a time when the largest audiences are watching.

I
also respectfully ask you to consider mandating clear and standard labeling of all digital televisions. Televisions should indicate specifically if they include a digital tuner and they should clearly note what the output resolution of the set is. Those who are not yet educated in television resolutions are purchasing televisions under potential false pretenses. Standard informational labels will help the consumer understand specifically what they are buying.

Working together, the FCC and the networks have a tremendous opportunity to provide a valuable public service for the nation. We do appreciate the steps you have taken so far, but we believe there is more that you can do.

On behalf of myself and any consumers that comment below,
I thank you for your efforts so far; we look forward to a successful and effective transition.

Kevin C. Tofel