BlissLogs

Analog television signals will be cut on February 19, 2009. “What does this mean to me?”, you may be asking. Well, plenty. If you have an analog tv and you do not acquire digital broadcasts within the next 2 years, you won’t be watching tv after that date.

The Good News:

1. Come February 19, 2009, we will be on new technology for our television broadcasts and should be receiving better image quality.
2. If you have an analog tv, you can purchase a set-top box to convert the digital signal to analog. The US government has set aside a chunk of money to pass out $40 coupons to use toward these converters. Each household will be alloted 2 of these boxes up till they reach a predetermined dollar amount. After that dollar amount has been reached, they become more restrictive on who gets the coupons.
3. Once the analog signals have ceased to be broadcast, they can be used for other options. The first thing that came to my mind was the ability for broadband companies to offer high speed wireless Internet access via these signals.
4. We consumers should have a wider range of broadcast choices because of more efficient use of the nations airwaves.

The Bad News:

1. It doesn’t look like they have set aside enough money to give those $40 coupons to every household that needs them. (The Republicans decided we needed more tax cuts instead of budgeting accordingly)
2. Digital doesn’t necessarily mean better. With a weak analog reception, the picture may still be viewable; however with digital, you either receive the signal or you don’t. The result could be that a weak signal could result in a VERY unpleasant viewing experience in that your picture could go black for periods of time.
3. To fully appreciate this change you need to upgrade your television to a full HD TV.
4. The US government has decided, once again, to stick their noses where they don’t belong.

I have serious doubts that this hard date will be met.  I am considering the option of keeping 1 analog tv on stand-by for the cut-over to test the availability of an analog signal after 2/19/2009.  What are your thoughts on 1) the mandatory conversion to Digital and 2) the governments involvement in it?