dtv
Latest
EchoStar's TR-40 DTV converter box not available 'til June / July
For those of you out there eying EchoStar's $39.99 TR-40 DTV converter box since it first made headlines at CES, we've got tough news. According to TWICE, the critter won't be shipping out until June or July of this year, which could mean that early appliers to coupons will miss out. If you'll recall, those $40 government-issued vouchers have to be redeemed within 90 days of receiving them, and moreover, it seems as if the firm is still deciding what brand name(s) it'll use to market the device. Here's to hoping we see a release closer to June and further from July, eh?
T-minus one year till the US analog shutoff: are you ready?
Believe it or not, today marks the final one-year countdown of the digital TV transition here in the US of A. Just a dozen months ago, we reminded Americans everywhere that there was just two years left to enjoy those analog broadcasts in their lackluster glory, and needless to say, quite a bit has happened in the meantime. Granted, we wouldn't be surprised to see the date actually slip a little when crunch time rolls around, but there's no sense in banking on chance. That being said, we'd like to offer up a last minute checklist to make sure all your ducks are in a proverbial row -- click on through to get started!
Digital TV upgrade vouchers to go out soon
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.
Digital cliff could drop more antenna TV viewers than anticipated
When the analog cutoff happens next year, some OTA watchers will need to trade in the bunny ears for upgraded or external antennas (even if they have digital TVs or converter boxes) to continue getting reception. The FCC's estimates on how many viewers will be affected by the "digital cliff" -- weak analog signals can be fuzzy, but still viewable, while digital is clear but simply drops out after a point -- have been disputed market research firm Centris. The numbers vary depending on your particular 'hood and its topography, but Centris' research found the FCC's estimates of 60-75 miles before signal dropout was really more like 35 miles in Las Vegas, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Additionally, it figures as many as 80 percent of viewers have antennas that won't be able to adequately receive digital signal. Anyone planning on picking up a new antenna with that converter?
Digital Terrestrial Television receiver market to skyrocket, no one surprised
With major retailers kicking analog TVs and DVD recorders sans digital tuners to the curb -- not to mention the whole DTV transition thing -- it's really no shock that digital adoption is forecasted to increase significantly in the coming years. Nevertheless, today's "O RLY?" moment comes to us courtesy of ABI Research, which is estimating that the worldwide Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) receiver market will "grow from 65 million units in 2007 to more than 350 million units in 2013, representing a compound annual growth rate of 32-percent." A pretty big jump, sure, but if we were the betting kind, we'd probably offer up the farm on this one.[Via Widescreen Review]
Public awareness of DTV transition up 80% since 2006, some still in the dark
We've already heard the NTIA's plans to educate consumers as the digital TV transition draws ever closer here in America, and apparently, the efforts so far have been fairly successful. According to new research released by the Consumer Electronics Association, consumer awareness of the looming switchover is up 80-percent since 2006. The study also points out that 72-percent of respondents were schooled courtesy of ads seen on television, while 39-percent heard it through the grapevine (read: "friends and family") and 26-percent found out from the intarwebs. 'Course, we also heard that a whopping 22-percent of folks "had no plans" for the cutover last November, so we're sure there's still a few OTA-only homes out there that have a real shocker comin'.[Via Widescreen Review]
NTIA chief reaffirms that DTV converter boxes will be on shelves next month
Unhealthily anxious to wrap your hands around a shiny new DTV converter box for that aging analog set in your guest room? According to acting National Telecommunications and Information Administration chief Meredith Baker, she's still confident that they'll be ready for purchase by February 18, 2008 -- a full year before all US broadcast stations are required to make the jump to digital. Reportedly, she also suggested that the FCC wouldn't need to require cable operators to air public service announcements about the upcoming change, as she felt that "voluntary industry efforts remained the best way to get the message across." Apparently, there are already plans in place to dedicate certain weeks throughout the year to drawing attention to the switchover process, with one of the final ones being codenamed "Life Without Television." Yeah, that should certainly wake up the procrastinators.
Chile delays digital television decision until March
It's not like Chile is the first nation to put off the decision of what digital television standard it will adopt, but rather than nailing something down now, it's decided to ponder for a few more months. According to spokesman Francisco Vidal, Chile will be holding off until March before it chooses the Japanese, European or American standard, and he also noted that "the president (Michelle Bachelet) had requested more studies, of a technical nature," in order to make the best call. 'Course, we could hear this same 'ole song / dance in March, too, but we'll take Mr. Vidal's word on it for now.[Via TheInquirer, image courtesy of Shunya]
Zenith's ATSC Digital to Analog Converter Box gets priced
Apparently, Radio Shack isn't waiting around for the hordes of Americans out there to receive those $40 coupons to help purchase a DTV converter box, as a recent newsletter reportedly shows the Zenith ATSC Digital to Analog Converter Box (model number 150-0148) as being available in "mid-February" for $69.99. Granted, we couldn't recommend more that you actually hold your horses and await the coupon before snagging one of your own, but at least now you know that you'll need to scrounge up an extra $30 or so to take this particular model home.[Thanks, JGarcia]
HD STBs are not eligible for $40 DTV vouchers
With only 412 days to go until analog TV goes dark, there are plenty of questions about the new voucher program that started yesterday. While none of the new boxes are available just yet, reading through the very long list of rules, we found something a little disappointing; any STB with HD outputs (DVI, HDMI or component) can't be purchased with the help of a $40 voucher. While we understand the government's desire to cut back on fraud -- while at the same time keeping costs down -- we can't help but think about all the early HDTV adopters that have "HD Ready" HDTVs. These people bought well before the DTV tuner mandate went into effect, and will be left out of the voucher program completely. Of course one could argue that if they could afford to be early adopters, then they don't need the hand out, but what about all those who picked up an HDTV on the secondhand market? The other interesting tidbit in the rules section is the inclusion of CEA-909, aka smart antennas. This is an antenna with a interface to the STB that allows the tuner to adjust the antenna to optimize reception. This can be very important to anyone who lives in an area where transmitters are installed in multiple locations.
FCC gives broadcasters more flexibility in 2009 digital TV cutover
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.
Half of US households own a digital television
We already learned that some 28-percent of US households were rocking at least one HDTV back in March, but now the Consumer Electronics Association has come forward with new figures showing that over half of American abodes are home to a digital television. According to revamped CEA projections, around 32 million DTV units will ship out next year, with 79-percent of those being HD sets. 'Course, the downside of this is that a good chunk of America still isn't prepared for the DTV cutover in 2009, but thanks to all the advertising that will likely be taking place over the next year and change, we'd say they've got plenty of time to get on board.
Philips DTV converter boxes get approved, pictured
Up until now, we've heard a whole lot about what these things will do, where you can eventually pick one up and how to apply for your government-issued coupon, but outside of a stray Zenith, we really haven't seen what many DTV converter boxes will actually look like. Now, Philips has announced that three of its digital-to-analog converters have been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the trio will be sold under the Magnavox / Philco brand names. Reportedly, the Magnavox TB-100MW9 (pictured above), Philco TB-100HH9 and Philco TB-150HH9 (pictured after the jump) will be "available through large retail stores beginning in early 2008" for those in need, and yes, your handy coupon will indeed apply to any of the (admittedly unsightly) three.
Slew of retailers to carry TV converter boxes; coupon requests open in 2008
Yeah, we pretty much expected every big box retailer known to man to carry these things, but just in case you were worried about locating a TV converter box in preparation for the upcoming cutover, here's some comforting news. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Target, Sears and Sam's Club are all on the list to carry equipment necessary for analog TV owners to receive OTA programming after February 2009, and just in case one of the aforementioned giants aren't anywhere near you, around 100 more smaller retailers have been certified to stock 'em. Also of note, you can start the new year off right by reminding your great grandparents (or other family members, too) that they can go on and apply for up to two coupons -- which should arrive around six weeks later -- worth $40 apiece to purchase the required boxes. Or, of course, you could just pick them up a new television this holiday season and be done with it.[Via BroadcastingCable]
Cox rolls out 1GHz across its network
Like every other cable operator, Cox Communications is looking for more bandwidth. Cox has already brought 70% of its customer base up to the 1GHz mark, and is upgrading the rest of its network up to the same bar. It's all part of the company's 2010 plan, which has some 200 SD (meh) and 100 HD (now we're talking!) channels as a goal. Good times ahead for their internet customers as well, with a boost in both the up and down directions to the tune of 25- and 4-Mbps, respectively. Add in a reduction in the number of analog channels clogging up the pipe and Cox is planning on bringing its node size from 650 to 250 homes, putting them within striking distance of the SDV "magic number."[Via Connected Home 2 Go]
22% of analog owners have no plans for digital switchover
The February 2009 analog shutoff is going to affect everyone with a TV, so the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) polled owners of analog TVs to get a big picture view of the situation. The results broke down pretty evenly: 22% said they would subscribe to cable or satellite; 33% plan on using the government-issued check to buy a converter box; and 23% plan to purchase a new digital set. That leaves the 22% of Americans who plan on doing nothing, thus resigning themselves to quitting broadcast programming cold turkey. By CEA estimates, that works out to 4.5 - 6 million TVs that will go all dark; and they're concerned that "...a big segment of the population will not be ready." Watch out for the coming blitz of those PSAs and repetition of the message across other media to the tune of 300 "impressions" per person.
John Kneuer resigning as digital TV transition chief
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.
Circuit City steps up to educate customers about DTV cutover
It'd be too easy to just mark off Best Buy's earlier announcement regarding its decision to no longer sell analog TVs as a simple coincidence, but whatever the case, Circuit City is hitting back to let the whole world know that it cares, too. Aside from confirming that it plans on participating in the NTIA Converter Box Coupon Program, it also announced that it would be "incorporating DTV transition reminders and messages into the closed circuit videos that run on its TVs," include cutover advisory information in its advertising supplements, install store signage to inform customers of the impending change and train employees to be well-versed on the whole matter. Stay sharp, though, we can just hear the PSAs turning into sales pitches now.
The digital TV switchover begins... in Britain
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]
Cable's bandwidth quagmire
Most people think going digital means going HD, but we know all too well that this couldn't be further from the truth. One thing that going digital does mean is more efficient use of the limited resource, bandwidth. Big cable looks forward to digital for many reasons, but most of all so they can drop all those bandwidth sucking analog channels and shift the throughput to additional revenue streams. We learned last month that this wasn't going to happen untill at least 2012, but cable has a few options -- none of them are good. They have the option to deploy STBs, but thanks to another FCC mandates these boxes are no longer cheap and can cost about $150 because they have to support CableCARDs and the hardware for OCAP. The most interesting option is from a company called Broadlogic that produces a chip that can decode 80 MPEG-2 streams at the same time, which would convert the signal from digital to analog at the house and eliminate the need for STBs while saving the bandwidth of the analog channels. It could be worse however, if the FCC had forced them to provide an analog and multiple digital versions of a channel.[Via ConnectedHome2Go]
