Comments on: Explaining the “Digital Transition” and Review of the RCA ANT1500 Antenna

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:32:43 +0000

I would like to know what is out there regarding an AFFORDABLE VCR/DVD/DVR machine that will be able to do TIMER RECORDING for multiple stations when I am away on vacation (where I don’t have to have my TV set on the specific station to record a program from it). Please e-mail me at cueball070358@aol.com

By: Lucas Mroz

Lucas Mroz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:50:24 +0000

Has there been any other industry that has had something along the same lines happen? A product that was so widely consumed, and at a certain point the new technology would make the current technology obsolete, and useless, on a certain deadline? A doomsday if you will.

How did they solve the problem?

Is AT&T discontinuing their TDMA similar? Or not really because that is just one company, not the entire industry?
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/tdma-notification.jsp

By: Dan Rubin

Dan Rubin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:52:29 +0000

And, as always, Google is our friend(TM) – http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1848299520080818?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

By: Dan Rubin

Dan Rubin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:42:17 +0000

Pre switchover, the only thing you can do is advertise as much as you can. I’m guessing that, from November until February, we’re going to see so many of these commercials that we’ll be praying for the cutover to just happen already. And don’t discount those Best Buy and Circuit City flyers that will come out around Thanksgiving, advertising Christmas sales with a big red “ARE YOU READY FOR THE DIGITAL SWITCH?” on the cover. Local government mailings would help, too.

Post cut-off, for at least two weeks, the local municipal outfit should have a handy stack of converter boxes, and some sort of legacy analog broadcasting should send a constant signal that shows a screen that says “YOUR TV IS NOT BROKEN. PLEASE CALL YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE,” with a list of local numbers on the screen, as well as a URL to explain the switchover. Is this technically feasible, or allowed under the switching rules? I have no idea.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:53:47 +0000

How do you educate the large percentage of non-technical citizens? I just don’t see any easy way to reach all these folks and make it something comprehensible… should they even wish to learn it. Obviously news coverage is out there – but will it make any sense or be read prior to the cut off? And who are they going to call when they lose programming? City hall? Television stations? Grandchildren? Television repairmen? It’s a cluster, all right.

(And I hope it’s clear that none of this reflects on Lucas’ post – this is an industry problem.)

By: Dan Rubin

Dan Rubin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:22:32 +0000

It’s not the transition that I see as the problem so much as the education. Even with all of the commercials that run during daytime programming that try to explain what’s going to happen next year, I’ve still had to explain to my grandmother that she doesn’t have to get a box because she has cable. I realize my grandmother is n=1, but I’d be willing to bet a good amount that a good number of viewers in rural areas who can’t get cable are are going to be making some angry phone calls come 2/18/09.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:01:55 +0000

It’s unfortunate the “digital transition” was government mandated, rather than something driven independently by market forces. Set manufacturers and possibly converter manufacturers are making money – I suspect a good deal of it will come from folks on fixed incomes who are left with no choice but to learn about technology and pay to upgrade. But, hey – at least the government made a few billion by reselling the spectrum.