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The full list of coupon-eligible DTV converter boxes
Oh sure, we've seen a couple of the forthcoming digital TV converter boxes get pictured and spec'd, but overall, we're still waiting around for information on the bulk of 'em. Thankfully, the gurus over at AfterDawn took the liberty of perusing the depths of the web to assemble a complete list of all coupon-eligible devices. Granted, it's not like you'll find any hidden gems with built-in HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drives or anything, but for those who've already applied for their coupon and can't wait to pick out which box to use it on, check out the read link below.[Thanks, Pertti J.]
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.
Philippines' ABS-CBN prepares to go digital
Citing "reception problems" in Metro Manila, the suburbs and parts of Central Luzon, Philippines-based ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation is gearing up to transition into the digital age. According to Vivian Tin, ABS-CBN head of research and business analysis, the outfit is throwing down "a few billion pesos" over the next several years as it rolls out the digital television service, but notes that it should launch DTT in some locales within the next few months. Currently, the reception issues affect "fringe areas that are serviced by the company's Metro Manila transmission tower and some [portions of] Central Luzon that are dependent on its transmission from the North," but with digital transmission, those troubles will purportedly vanish. As expected, the fresh new digital delivery will still be obtainable for free over-the-air.
Currys, Dixons to stop selling analog TVs in Europe
DSG International, the parent company to Currys, Dixons and PC World stores across Europe, has announced that it will no longer be stocking analog sets (sound familiar?). Granted, only 10-percent of the remaining TVs it sold were of the analog flavor, but it looks as if even those units will soon be gone. Reportedly, the chains are looking to further promote units with integrated digital Freeview tuners, and considering that some parts of Europe have already begun the analog-to-digital switchover, we suppose that follows logic precisely. Also of note, these same retailers will halt sales of DVD recorders with only analog tuners within, but on the real, we can't say we'll miss 'em.[Image courtesy of Waltondale, thanks CMC]
TVMAX cable provider aims to go all digital
TVMAX, a Texas-based cable provider for MDU (multiple dwelling unit) housing communities, is apparently gearing up to make the switch to all digital. Curiously enough, the move was announced on the same day that RCN began migrating its Chicago customers to a purely digital network, too. Reportedly, the firm has laid down the coin for a complete headend solution from Scopus in order to support the cutover, and it will also rely on that firm to manage and monitor the system once installed and flipped on. When exactly the whole "flipped on" thing will go down, however, still remains a mystery.
RCN goes all digital in Chicago, shoots for 100 HD channels
Starting today, RCN will begin switching to all digital programming in Chicago, Illinois, a full year (and change) before all broadcast channels must do the same. Reportedly, the move will enable the cable provider to reclaim excess spectrum and recreate its cable offerings. More specifically, the 80 channel Signature package will be re-launching with 180 channels for the same price, and while we're not told exactly what new HD additions we'll find, a few newcomers are nevertheless promised. Additionally, subscribers in the area can expect more video-on-demand content and new channel pods which will purportedly "provide customers with the ability to pay only for the programming they want to watch." With all this freed up space, the firm's VP and General Manager Tom McKay has boldly proclaimed that it hopes to "make good on the promise of offering approximately 100 HD channels in the future," but sadly, "future" is as detailed as it got. 'Course, some users will need to grab a digital converter box or CableCARD to continue receiving service, but you already knew that, now didn't you?
DirecTV migrating West Coast locals to MPEG4 only
Shortly after getting word that Palm Springs, California residents can now look forward to getting their locals via DirecTV (if only in MPEG4 SD, for now), it seems that the satellite provider is urging all West Coast residents to make the switch to MPEG4. According to a note received by DBSTalk's Chris Blount, "customers with HD DNS channels will start to see crawls," which will purportedly encourage them to contact DirecTV in order to arrange for a 5 LNB dish and an MPEG4 HD receiver. Furthermore, we're also told that the new lineup will consist of CBSWHD on channel 391, NBCWHD on 393, ABCWHD on 397 and FOXWHD on 399. For whatever it's worth, the message will supposedly only reach those "in the Western half of the US" for now, but who knows when said alert will make its way east.[Thanks, Earl]
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.
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.
LG's Zenith-branded DTT900 converter box gets pictured
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
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.
Lawmakers worried over digital TV transition
It's one thing to fret over the estimated $1.5 billion Congress has to set aside to pay for the "coupon program" to aid Americans in the analog-to-digital transition of 2009, but now lawmakers are "worried that too few of us know that the analog TVs we have been using for years could become big cathode-ray paperweights after February 18, 2009." Essentially, those in power feel that "too little is being done to get the message across," and that quite a few disgruntled individuals could be smacked with a reality check of gigantic proportions if no one tells them beforehand. According to a poll released by the Association for Public Television Stations earlier this year, some 61-percent of those surveyed had "no idea" the shutoff would even take place, so we'd expect a commercial blitz to give your fast-forward finger a workout in the coming months.
Comcast's digital transition in Chicago rolls on, new HD channels launched
Shortly after Comcast made the bold move of yanking 38 analog channels from its expanded-basic analog tier, customer complaints unsurprisingly began to pour in. Thankfully, those chapped by the move have apparently learned to deal, as Comcast has witnessed a steep decrease in the amount of griping here in recent months. Better yet, the firm has decided to launch four new HD channels -- A&E HD, Food Network HD, HGTV HD, and National Geographic Channel HD -- in the Windy City with the bandwidth it freed up. Kudos Comcast, way to get your priorities in order.
Consumer Reports tackles the transition
A big part of a successful transition to digital TV is educating the average TV viewer; and while we do our best to help out the enthusiast, the burden to inform the rest of America falls on newspapers, and magazines like Consumer Reports. In their attempt to let people know the facts, we'd say they did a pretty good job, -- much better than some of their other HD articles -- but we wished they'd mentioned the benefits at the beginning instead of the end; after all just about everyone is getting an upgrade.
Comcast handing out digital set-top boxes in small Ohio town
This is one of those stories that would make your evening news state, "In a surprising turn of events..." You see, in a small Ohio town, Comcast is going door-to-door handing out digital cable boxes - FOR FREE! That's right, there is no additional charge for these boxes. Plus, they get all the family-tier digital stations and high-def stations for the same cost as their normal programming. Amazing. Steubenville city council was apparently very concerned about the digital transition and wanted to make sure that all of its residents were going to be fine. There is no word on how they got Comcast to just give out digital set-top boxes. They need to put out a ready-made city council kit so everyone can get their local government on board.[thanks for the tip Mark]
Apple considered small chip startup over Intel?
Steve Jobs' announcement -- almost a year ago, now -- that Apple was transitioning to x86 processors was one of the most shocking bits of news that the industry had ever heard, and yet there were a group of employees at a startup chip manufacturer called PA Semi who were even more shocked than most, according to reports, because right up until that keynote, they were sure that their company, and not Intel, would be chosen to supply the brains for what's now known as the MacBook family of laptops. The Register is reporting that PA Semi had a close relationship with Apple in the months prior to the switch, and that the two companies were working together to gauge the feasibility of running native PowerPC-coded software on 2GHz dual-core chips that PA Semi claims run at only a third of the 21 to 25 watts consumed by Intel's Core Duo models. Sources who spoke to El Reg say that executives were virtually positive that they'd win the contract, and that CEO Dan Dobberpuhl was understandably "furious" when he found out PA Semi had been passed over. The company still has a bright future developing chips for the embedded market and storage devices, but they'll probably never again have the opportunity to become an instantly-recognized name like Intel, AMD, or IBM.
Ich bin ein Berliner
Germany has taken alot of flack over the years for, oh I don't know: World War I, World War II, David Hasselhoff's music career, etc. Maybe that's why it seems like piling on when Colin Campbell of Next-Gen.biz puts an entire country near the top of a list of reasons why the transition to next-gen has sucked:"Xbox 360 was supposed to bridge the gap between the now generation and the next generation; a glorious launch offering publishers a six month boom-time of sales to excited hardcore consumers. It didn't happen because some components for Xbox 360 - said to be sourced from the land of efficient manufacturing - were in short supply. Vorsprung Durch Technik my ass." Ouch. Haven't gamers blown away enough German infantry to earn the land of bier and lederhosen a bit of slack? Afterall, they just kicked American butt in the Winter Olympics. They know nothing Colin! Nothing!
Cable downconverting illegal under new bill
As reported by 1080eye, Congress' DTV bill would not allow cable companies to downgrade digital channels to analog broadcast, meaning cable customers with analog televisions would need to upgrade to digital set top boxes as well. My reaction to this is it's a real non-story. The cable companies don't want to broadcast in analog, first of all it's insecure, (look at all the "special" boxes you probably get email offers for daily) and it uses a lot of bandwidth they'd love to have for more Internet, VOD and HDTV offerings. Plus it's cheaper for them when a customer wants to upgrade/downgrade service, you just flip a switch instead of sending a technician out to the home to change the filter at the pole.Take a look at the next flyer you receive, in most areas the cable company is offering a discount over analog cable pricing in order to move digital boxes and their assortment of additional features into the home. They are more than ready to pull analog support as soon as possible. This could be reported in multiple ways, if the bill did not have such a provision, I'm sure there would be an op-ed column ranting about how Congress is in the cable companies pocket by forcing people with older TV's to get cable TV. I think it's better that it be across the board to avoid confusion, DTV is coming, and you'll need a new digital set, or a set-top box of some kind to get television reception, period.[Via HDBlog.net]
