DTV Presentation To Be Held At GVT Expo 2008
If you are involved in the audio visual electronic industry, an avid Home Theater enthusiast, or even a fan of entertainment electronics in general, you will not want to miss the Government Video Technology Expo 2008. This year the expo will be held December 2-4 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. There will be a very detailed exhibit from the the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History as well as over 200 other displays. The Smithsonian will be featuring one of its’ newest and technological advanced achievements; The AV intensive Sant Ocean Hall a modern museum experience. This awe inspiring exhibit hall in the museum was a joint effort between the Smithsonian and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Project manager Elizabeth Musteen will be giving a detailed look into how this amazing technology works.
In additional to these national audio visual related exhibits, the Federal Communication Commission will also be making a presentation on DTV. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein will be speaking about the upcoming analog to digital transition that will change the way we watch television. He will be reiterating the benefits of this major transition. The upcoming deadline for purchasing your converter boxes and digital antennas is less than 100 days away, only six weeks after Christmas on February 17, 2009. The FCC has been on a National Tour to inform consumers of the upcoming DTV conversion.
-Written by acwriter
Ref: Wallstreet Journal Market Watch Article
Less than 100 days left until DTV Day
The transition to digital television is now less than 100 days away. Have you converted your analog television set for dtv yet? If not, you may not be able to receive television signals after February 17th, 2009. Visit the FCC’s DTV Webpage to learn more about digital television today.
Are you waiting to fill out the application for the $40 dtv converter box coupon? The government has scheduled the last day to apply for the coupon on March 31st, 2008.
Are you waiting to choose a converter box? Here are some links to digital-to-analog converter box reviews…
DTV USA Forum Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, and Specific Questions
Consumer Reports Digital TV converter boxes: First Look
DTV Conversion Concerns
There are an estimated 13 million plus households who will not be ready for the digital conversion on Feb. 17, despite efforts of national broadcasters and various government organizations. The Federal Communications Commission told the Senate Commerce Committee last September in a DTV transition meeting that “the people most in need of help are senior citizens, non-English speakers and minorities, people with disabilities, low-income consumers and those living in rural or tribal areas.”
Both the FCC along with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as well as other committees and organizations are working hard to try to implement a smooth transition by Feb. 17. Many areas are running tests throughout certain boundaries by shutting off their analog signals prematurely to see where they are as far as being ready. Many of these tests have been regarded as being largely successful. However, many citizens still need help in setting up their converter boxes and digital antennas.
According to the Consumer Federation of America, many consumers will spend hundreds of dollars on new cable/satellite subscriptions or even buy a new television when all they need is a $50 converter box per television set. The CFA is convinced that once consumers have switched over to the digital signals they will get better quality in sound and in pictures, as well as more channels.
The DTV Transition Coalition offers some ways to make sure your television set is already digital ready; check the owner’s manual, check the television for an {input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which developed the DTV format} or check the manufacturers website. If your television was manufactured before 1998, it probably does not have an internal digital tuner. Even the televisions built after 2004 may not necessarily have them.
Don’t assume because your television is HD ready or is considered a HDTV monitor that it has an appropriate digital tuner. Use the above recommendations to make sure your televisions are ready. Remember this conversion affects all the televisions in your home, cars and motor homes. Please check with your family and friends to make sure they are ready as well.
-Written by acwriter
Reference: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/11/09/digitaltv.html
New York TV stations plan 2 minute shut-off for DTV
On Tuesday (10/28/08), New York broadcasters will hold a blackout (soft shutoff) of their analog signals to help inform consumers about the transition to digital television, as reported by broadcastingcable.com and station group ION Media Networks. The test will occur at 5:59 pm and last until 6:01 pm on October 28th, 2008.
The following channels will have agreed to participate in the shutoff (Click on the station to visit their webpage):
WABC – TV (ABC, channel 7)
WCBS – TV (CBS, channel 2)
WFUT – TV (Univision, channel 68)
WLIW – TV (PBS, channel 21)
WNBC – TV (NBC, channel 4)
WNET – TV (PBS, channel 13)
WNJU – TV (Telemundo, channel 47)
WNYE – TV (NYC Media, channel 25)
WNYW – TV (Fox, channel 5)
WPIX – TV (TheCW, channel 11)
WPXN – TV (ION Television, channel 31)
WWOR – TV (MyNetworkTV, channel 9)
WXTV – TV (Univision, channel 41)
More Information about the New York Broadcaster’s DTV “Blackout”
The test will start with three beeps followed by a message which will appear on television screens informing the viewer that their television is not ready for the digital transition on February 17th, 2009. Consumers who want would like to learn more about how to convert their televisions for DTV can visit the following resources below…
DTV USA Forum (Ask questions and get answers about the transition to digital television)
Information about $40 DTV Coupons
House Panel meeting today to discuss DTV and Government Accountability Office report
A meeting on Capitol Hill today will address the most pressing issues for DTV preparedness and the transition to digital television.
Federal Communications Commission and Commerce Department officials will be among the government personnel participating in the hearing by testifying about the current state of the transition. Other topics of discussion may include a recently released Government Accountability Office report.
Help for Expired Coupon Holders?
Most importantly, today’s discussion may include the topic of expired converter coupons. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration recently requested additional funds to expand the coupon program, which may include relief for consumers stuck with expired converter box coupons.
With five months left until the digital transition, Lawmakers are running out of time to legislate changes to the coupon program.
Source: CNN: Ahead of the Bell: DTV transition
DTV News: North Carolina town sacrificing analog TV as early as September 8, 2008
Source: TVsnob.com
A small town in Wilmington, North Carolina (Population 100, 000) has elected to cut off their analog signals permanently on September 8th, 2008 as part of a test run before the actual February 17th, 2009 date mandated by the government.
It’ll be interesting to see the results of this test, and how the citizens of Wilimington react.
Are consumers using the digital transition as a reason to buy a new TV?
Source: DigitalTV Weblog
A recent report in the Washington Post highlights a growing trend in purchasing high definition television (HDTV) sets, instead of opting for a $40 (Forty-dollar), analog-to-digital converter box coupon provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, (U.S. department of Commerce).
Recycling centers and landfills across the country are preparing for a surge of unwanted sets in coming months
TVConversionhelp’s take: A lot of older TV’s including portable and small handheld devices simply cannot be hooked up to a digital converter box…..Just how big of an overall effect does this have on consumer demand for new TV’s?
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