Everyone seems to be getting caught up in the 2008 presidential election campaigns. We’ve all seen some of the Democratic and Republican debates. It’s politics, politics, politics, but has anyone noticed what politicians have done that will have a huge impact on the lives of Americans? I’m not talking about taxes; I’m talking about the mandated requirement that in 2009 all television transmissions will HAVE to be in high definition (HDTV). This means that, one day soon, all non-HD televisions will stop receiving a signal. We’ll turn on our televisions, and there will be nothing but snow.
Ignoring HDTV is like trying to ignore an elephant in your living room. The media, politicians, and most Americans are ignoring this issue. What is not being discussed is the fact that, in order to even be able to receive television broadcasts, all of us are going to be forced to spend hundreds of dollars on an HDTV or an HD tuner. Gone will be the days when we were able to have television sets in the family room, the kitchen, and various bedrooms. My husband did some online HDTV pricing today, and the best price he found was around $700. The only alternative to an HDTV will be an HD tuner, which will connect to a standard definition television, allowing it to receive the signal. Unfortunately, HD tuners are not readily available, and the only one my husband could find cost $200. Many of us will be lucky to have one television set in the entire house.
There are so many negative implications connected with this legislated intrusion into the airwaves. First, of course, is the burden of a large expense for every household in America that wants to be able to receive television transmission. My answer to this is that Congress, which passed this legislation, should give full tax credits for expenses related to their brilliant idea. Also negative is the fact that most televisions are now made in China. Imagine how much worse the trade imbalance will become when millions of Americans are literally forced to buy new television sets. And what about the people who can’t or won’t buy an HDTV? Since television is the main medium for communication in this country, information about a national emergency would not be available to all Americans–only the ones who have HDTV.
I would like to see every single presidential candidate from both parties asked about the HD situation at every single debate. I also want every member of Congress asked about the coming HD crisis that they have created. Everybody in the government seems to be quietly hoping that we won’t notice, including the FCC, which does not seem to be doing anything at all to help Americans understand what’s coming or make the transition to the mandated HDTV. We’re on our own.
I guess I’m very cynical, but when it comes to politicians and legislation, the old adage kicks in–follow the money. Why was this legislation passed, and who stands to make a killing from it? That’s what I really want to know.
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5 comments:
Thanks for bringing this issue to my attention. You know, you're absolutely right. The requirement that we would all be forced to convert to HDTV is something that I heard about a few years ago - and then forgot about. I didn't even think about its implications.
In my house there happen to be 8 televisions. Even though most of the time the only one I watch is the tiny one near the kitchen table, I had always had enjoyed the liberty of running additional cable lines to additional TVs, just like I did with telephone wires for additional telephones.
You've made it crystal clear now that such liberties will be gone forever - and you're right again - probably for political/economic reasons. You reminded me that Congress passed this "brilliant" legislation, and pointed out how the trade imbalance with China will worsen because of it.
If only you could be the one to ask questions of the Presidential candidates. Because this is an issue that will hit every household. I love your suggestion about tax credits. And I too would like to see every Presidential candidate, Senator, and Representative asked about this issue.
"Follow the money" is exactly right in my opinion.
Update: The situation may not be as grim as I originally thought. The mandated change is to digital broadcasting, and HD is only a "subset" of digital. The FCC ruled that as of March 1, 2007, all manufactured and imported t.v.'s, VCR's, and any other device that gets a tuner signal, must have a built-in digital receiver. Retailers will, however, be allowed to continue to sell analog-only devices from their inventory. Unsuspecting customers may not be aware that the brand new t.v.'s they're buying will not be able to receive over-the-air t.v. signals after 2/17/2009. No matter what they call it, we're still going to have to spend our money just to receive a t.v. signal.
The money trail seems to lead back to the government, there's a fortune to be made in re-selling the newly available parts of the broadcast spectrum, and to cell phone providers, who will now have a greater part of the broadcast spectrum--the part that current t.v. broadcasters are using. Oh, yes, public and safety services (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue) will also have access to an undoubtedly small part of the broadcast spectrum. This is probably how they got this through Congress.
I stand corrected, but not pacified in my righteous indignation against Congress.
The good news: You still have to either buy new equipment or digital converters for your existing analog equipment, but it doesn't have to be HD.
At the following website, you can take advantage of a government program that will give each U.S. household up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of converter boxes, which will convert your analog t.v. to a digital receiver.
www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.
Cable users may or may not have to worry about converting. That's not too clear. It does look as though cable users may need new DTV equipment.
The bad news: February 17, 2009 is the date that the FCC has ordered that all analog transmissions must end, and their website even has a count-down clock.
For more information: www.dtv.gov
Lynda -
Are you saying that TVs that are "cable-ready" might not require an HD tuner because cable companies will be able to send HD signals over existing lines?
Or will cable TV consumers be forced to get new boxes from the cable company to be able to receive HD signals?
Also, are you also saying that if you have cable TV you won't be forced to convert it to HDTV if you're satisfied with regular digital reception?
Alan,
I'm certainly not an expert in the technicalities of the impending change. There is an FAQ section on the website that may be able to answer your questions. You may also have to contact your cable provider. It seems to me that the capabilities of a specific t.v. tuner may determine what kind of action has to be taken.
--Lynda
But I trust you more than I trust Comcast.
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