DTV Delayed? No, says House of Reps
House Republicans have voted No on a bill that would have moved the digital television transition date originally scheduled for Feb. 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009.
The DTV Delay bill had been originally passed by the Senate on Tuesday, but needed two thirds majority votes from the House to receive approval. Voting outcome was 258 in favor and 168 against, having narrowly missed the two thirds approval mark.
According to the AP, opposing House Reps had voiced conceren about added costs involved for television broadcasters who have spent several years preparing for the February digital transition.
Other measures could be drafted to postpone the DTV Transition, but time is running out with less than a month left.
DTV Transition Delay, Almost…
Hot off the Reuters wire, the Senate passed a bill this afternoon (1-26-09) to delay the the transition to DTV until June 12th, 2009.
Earlier in January, President Barack Obama’s presidential transition team sent a letter to Congress asking for an extension because they felt that many Americans would not be ready by the originally scheduled February 17th, 2009 transition date.
Some news agencies are reporting that the transition delay has been appoved, but the measure will still need to clear House Representatives (could be approved by the end of this week) before the delay becomes official.
DTV deadline extension a bad idea?
The Obama administration is considering a postponement of the DTV transition, which is scheduled to occur on February 17, 2009. If the extension is granted, consumers would benefit, but at the expense of several public service agencies and corporations.
The FCC has provisioned parts of the analog broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads), after the switch to digital television. These Government agencies are preparing to use the analog frequencies based on the Feb 17th, 2009 transition date. If an extension is granted, it would also force public safety agencies to postpone use of the “valuable analog specrtum“.
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council) sent a joint letter (Jan. 9th), asking that the analog frequencies be allocated to public safety agencies and emergency responders inspite of an impending deadline extension. The letter was signed by the chiefs of each orgnization.
The FCC has already auctioned off billions of dollars worth of analog spectrum to mobile phone, wireless internet carriers, and Google to provide more advanced services.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has voiced concerns that a delay would not only cost the U.S. Government more money, it would also delay telecom and internet corporations from utilizing the old analog frequencies.
-written by acwriter
Ref: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6628361.html?desc=topstory
Affordable Handheld TVs with built-in DTV tuners
After the “on schedule” digital transition in Feb. 2009, almost all analog mobile TV sets will become little more than a electronic paper weight. Just how many handhelds? An approximate 8 million according to Consumer Electronics Association (2006 estimate), and not one converter box manufacture has produced a workable solution. One digital-to-anlog converter box maker, Winegard, has produced a dtv box which can be optionally powered by 6 D batteries, and run for an estimated 18 hours…but how do you connect it to a mobile TV with no inputs? Frustrating isn’t it, and yes, the author of this article owns an analog mobile TV.
Just recently, handheld TVs with built-in digital tuners have come to market, and are becoming affordable.
Haier HLT71 7-Inch Portable LCD TV
Positive:
7-inch portable LCD TV with ATSC/NTSC tuner, that WILL work after the 6/12/2009 Digital Transition
Selectable screen aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3
Audio/video jack and coaxial output; detachable antenna
rechargeable Li-polymer battery
Negative:
Some reviews have reported a battery life of approximtely 2 to 2 1/2 hours
The bottom line:
The HLT71 includes an AC power adapter, a car adapter, and the digital tuner seems to rate well with reception of DTV signals. At the current price point, the Haier HLT71 has been the current top seller at Amazon for mobile DTVs.
Product Description: Axion AXN-8701 7-Inch Widescreen Portable Handheld TV with Built-In Tuner
HAIER HLT71 7″ PORTABLE LCD TV7″ LCD TV; ELECTRONIC VOLUME CONTROL; SELECTABLE 4:3 OR 16:9 ASPECT RATIO; AUTO SEARCH; A/V STEREO INPUTS; CLOSED CAPTION ; INCLUDES REMOTE and RECHARGEABLE BATTERY; DIM: 5.6″H X 7.5″W X 1.1″D
Positive:
Built-in NTSC/ATSC tuner for both analog and digital channels - so it WILL work after the June 12, 2009 Digital Transition
7-Inch widescreen LCD portable handheld TV
A/V input for external audio/video sources
Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery
Negative:
Built-in antenna - Bunnyears style (Not always good for reception of DTV signals)
Battery cannot be charged while TV is plugged into car adapter
The bottom line:
The AXN-8701 has nice built-in features such as an A/V input for external audio/video sources (ie: video games, VCR, DVD, etc.). Light weight, compact, and a Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery makes this portable TV a good choice.
Product Description:
7″ widescreen LDC mobile TV with hi-resolution and hi-brightnessBuild in NTSC/ATSC tuner for both analog and digital channelsBrightness adjustableBuild-in antenna allows easy repositioning for receptionA/V input for external audio/video sourcesBuild-in speakerBuild-in rechargeable lithium-polymer batteryCard style remoter controlHeadphone jack and volume control
Tivax HiRez7 Portable 7-Inch Digital Widescreen LCD TV
Positive:
ATSC Tuner, that WILL work after the 6/12/2009 Digital Transition
7″ Widescreen LCD Digital TV
3-in-1 Card Reader!! I haven’t seen any other mobile DTV’s with this option yet.
Can use both antenna and cable
Includes two rechargeable Li-ion batteries up to 1.5-hour usage
Built in stereo speakers
Will work with alkaline batteres
Negative:
3.5 Stars out of 5 on Amazon reviews, but most of the bad reviews were because of the the Tivax HiRez7’s reception. As with all handheld DTV’s, you must use a good external antenna. This is especailly important if you’re in a rural area.
The bottom line:
One of the better looking mobile DTVs on the market, lots of options, definitely a unit wort considering.
Product Description:
7-Inch widescreen active matrix TFT screen
Integrated ATSC digital tuner for digital broadcast reception
External rod antenna provided for over-the-air signal reception
Audio/Video inputs for connection to external Audio/Video source
Audio output for connection to external audio systems
Built-in stereo speakers
Earphone output for private listening
Large capacity rechargeable Li-battery
USB Port & Card Slot for playing digital media file
Closed Caption and Parental Control supported
Card style full function remote control
Specifications:
Audio/Video Input
Audio Output
Earphone Output
Antenna Input
Mini USB
3-in-1 Card Reader
12V DC Input for AC-DC Adapter
Input Voltage for AC – DC Adapter: 90 ~ 240V
Power Consumption: Less than 15W
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 8.7″ x 5.1″ x 1.2″
Unit Weight: 1.3 lbs
President-elect Obama asks for Digital Transition delay
Digital Transition date in jeapordy?
A letter sent on Thursday to key lawmakers from the Obama-Biden presidential transition team has requested that the Digital Transition on Feb. 17th, 2009, “should be reconsidered and extended.” Several problems were cited with the TV converter box coupon program which included “inadequate funding” of government DTV education programs, and insufficient help for low income, rural, and elderly Americans.
The letter, signed by John Podesta, co-chair of the Obama-Biden transition team, also makes note of more than 1 million Americans currently on the waiting list for DTV Coupons due to inproper funding.
Breaking News: DTV Coupon Program Out of Funds
Is the DTV Coupon program out of funding? Complaints are being posted at DTV USA Forum that funding for the coupon program is “currently not available”.
Important:
We have determined that you are elgible to participate in this program and your coupon application has been approved. However, because program funding is not currently available, you will not receivve coupons unless more funding becomes available. If program funding becomes available you should receive your coupons in the mail.
TVConversionhelp has verified the above message by applying to the DTV coupon program (at www.dtv2009.gov) this afternoon (1/5/2009) at 2:24 PM MST.
Update 3:32PM MST 1/5/09: Looks like there’s now a wait list for DTV Coupons according to this AP article:
Consumers who apply for federal coupons to pay for converter boxes ahead of next month’s transition to digital television broadcasts are being placed on a waiting list and may not receive their vouchers before the switchover, the Commerce Department said Monday.
DTV Guide for Procrastinators
As of Dec. 2008, approximately 7 million U.S. households still need to convert to Digital Television (also known as DTV). If one or all of your TVs are not equipped to watch DTV signals, you will run the risk of not being able to watch television broadcasts after the Digital Transiton.
What and when is the Digital Transition?
All full-power television stations will stop broadcasting analog television signals, and switch to digital only broadcasts after February 17th, 2009. This “switch”, is defined as the Digital Transition.
Who does the digital transition affect?
Analog television sets that are not connected to cable or satellite service, and receive television broadcasts with an antenna, will need a DTV converter box to continue receiving DTV signals after February 17th, 2009.
What is consdered an ”Analog Television Set”?
Reference your TV manual for the words NTSC or NTSC tuner, which means National Television System Committee. If you have an NTSC tuner, you will need a DTV converter box to view DTV signals. If your manual designates your TV as containing an ATSC tuner (Advanced Television Systems Committee), you own a digital television set capapable of receiving DTV signals, and will not need a converter box.
What if you don’t have your TV Manual?
Visit our guide: How do I know if I have a Digital TV or alternatively you can register at our Digital TV Forum and post the manufacture and model number of your television set for us to research.
If you need a DTV Converter Box, Apply and Use a DTV Coupon
The U.S. Government is providing assistance in the form of $40 TV Converter Box Coupons to help with purchasing up to two converter boxes. Visit here for info on how to apply for DTV Coupons. For a list of retailers approved to accept DTV Coupons with purchase of a converter box, visit the Government’s: Locate a Converter Box Retailer Near You
Which DTV Converter Box should I Buy?
Here are a few sites you can reference for converter box reviews and comparisons:
Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisos at DTV USA Forum
Which (nearly) free DTV converter box should I buy? at CNET
DTV Converer Boxes Ratings at Consumer Reports
Do I need an Antenna for DTV?
Yes. If you own a set of rabbit ears, try connecting them to your converter box.
You can also use your existing roof mounted antenna to connect to your DTV conerter box.
If you still receive the “Weak Signal” or “No Signal” message, you may want to upgrade to a powered indoor or outdoor antenna capable of UHF and VHF, DTV signal reception. For more information on how to troubleshoot or improve your DTV reception, visit the following DTV antenna resources:
Maximize your television reception at antennaweb.org
DTV Reception at DTV USA Forum
Choosing an Antena at DTV Answers
DTV Converter Box Installation Videos and Help Resources:
The following videos are from YouTube, and show the basic installation of a conveter box on a TV set with an RF (coax) connection input. Video 1 shows a converter box installaion to TV . Video 2 shows how to connect a converter box to a VCR and TV.