Another Twist In DTV Transition’s History
I should have known better. Given all the give and take, the stops and starts, lobbying and anti-lobbying efforts, I should have never done a blog about the DTV transition, which was supposed to occur on Feb. 17.
I posted a blog on Thursday with some personal reflections on the transition because I thought, incorrectly, that Feb. 17 was set in stone.
Thinking about this a couple of days ago I said, “Sure, special interest groups are complaining, the Bush administration said it could not guarantee everyone coupons for converter boxes before the deadline, but what could go wrong?”
Since the 1980s, when the push for digital TV began, there have always been last-minute delays, changes in the standard, or second thoughts about the format and its implementation.
So, hindsight being 20/20, of course I should have expected that President-elect Obama would be the latest to say, “Now wait a minute …” about moving to DTV. Everyone else has.
All of the stakeholders in the DTV transition over the years — CE manufacturers, retailers, computer makers, broadcasters, cable and satellite providers, public interest groups, assorted politicians and Washington regulators — have all provided more last-minute twists and turns than an old-fashioned Saturday morning movie serials.
Of course, the DTV transition would have been a main topic of conversation even if Obama hadn’t weighed in with an opinion. All the DTV stakeholders are here.
Speaking of one of the stakeholder groups, broadcasters, wasn’t it shocking that the four major broadcast networks —ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC — all backed President-elect Obama’s position? And isn’t it great we get to hear from former FCC chairmen William Kennard and Michael Powell, once again? On Friday they joined the growing chorus calling for the federal government to move the Feb. 17 DTV transition date.
Some think that more time will give more consumers time to understand the transition and prepare. I happen to think that the DTV education program has worked, at least based on surveys I’ve seen and discussions with regular consumers who I know — friends and family.
No matter the date, there will always be pain and a disruption in TV service for some, due to procrastination or other concerns. In fact, current FCC chairman Kevin Martin, who will speak at CES today, said a DTV deadline delay may cause more confusion.
Initial speculation on Thursday indicated that a four-month delay might be requested. More speculation and opinions suggest the delay may help the CE retail industry get four more months of demand out of the DTV transition.
Whatever the outcome, I still hope that Feb. 17 will remain the deadline. More importantly, whatever happens with the deadline, I hope that when we look back at this show a year or two from now I hope we will see that the DTV transition was a success, and that the latest uproar was the last of the twists and turns in the history of this technology.
BDRanger commented:
It would NOT be in the best interest of the country to further delay the demise of analog TV. Most people that are unprepared now, will likely be unprepared whenever the analog signals are turned off. After all of the PSAs for the transition it would cause nothing but confusion to extend the transition. Get on with it and deal with digital broadcasts.
BDRanger commented:
It would NOT be in the best interest of the country to further
delay the demise of analog TV. Most people that are unprepared now,
will likely be unprepared whenever the analog signals are turned
off. After all of the PSAs for the transition it would cause
nothing but confusion to extend the transition. Get on with it and
deal with digital broadcasts.
BDRanger commented:
It would NOT be in the best interest of the country to further
delay the demise of analog TV. Most people that are unprepared now,
will likely be unprepared whenever the analog signals are turned
off. After all of the PSAs for the transition it would cause
nothing but confusion to extend the transition. Get on with it and
deal with digital broadcasts.
jeve commented:
I, for one, am glad they are considering delaying this. I actually
think that they should convert a couple areas of the country, one
in tornado alley, the other in an area with high mountains, 3 to 5
months before the rest of the country. Then we could see how DTV
works in various terrain/weather conditions before converting. I
suspect quite a few issues will show up-expecially in tornado alley
if DTV the only thing available during April, May, June. In fact,
so many issues, that analog may come back, at least for a weather
channel.
jeve commented:
I, for one, am glad they are considering delaying this. I actually
think that they should convert a couple areas of the country, one
in tornado alley, the other in an area with high mountains, 3 to 5
months before the rest of the country. Then we could see how DTV
works in various terrain/weather conditions before converting. I
suspect quite a few issues will show up-expecially in tornado alley
if DTV the only thing available during April, May, June. In fact,
so many issues, that analog may come back, at least for a weather
channel.
Vic K commented:
There wil always be holdouts, informed and misinformed public. Tha
date was set and I as Joe citizen did homework, purchase 1
converter. Most importantly I purchased a 56"
Vic K commented:
There wil always be holdouts, informed and misinformed public. Tha
date was set and I as Joe citizen did homework, purchase 1
converter. Most importantly I purchased a 56"
