Switch from analog signals deemed too important to leave in private hands, with predictable results
If you watch TV for more than a few minutes a day, you have probably seen ads and public service announcements about the Feb. 17 changeover from analog to digital television broadcasting. During the other transition, several officials of the incoming Obama administration have suggested pushing back the transition date three months, and West Virginia Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller has submitted a bill to push back the date to June 12.
Why the fumbling and confusion? The short answer is that the government, beginning as far back as 1988, decided that the transition from analog to digital TV, unlike the transition from analog to digital sound recording, which took place during the 1980s (though some audiophiles still swear that analog was better), was too important to be left to the "anarchy" of the marketplace. So the Federal Communications Commission, under legislation passed in 1996, has handled this transition. Not surprisingly, it has been driven more by political than by technological or economic considerations.
The cellular telephone industry has made the transition from analog to digital. Did you read articles about the problems? Were you even aware of it? Probably not, because it was handled in the competitive marketplace with a minimum of fuss and feathers.
The advantages of digital TV broadcasting are essentially twofold. Digital broadcasting permits sharper resolution of the picture using a smaller portion of the broadcast spectrum and more efficient broadcasting of high-definition signals. Conversion will also free up the frequency spectrum to allow for more uses of the increasingly popular hand-held devices like BlackBerries, iPhones and the like.
There are other reasons for TV broadcast stations to go digital. Because it takes up less bandwidth, a station can use the same space in the spectrum for several signals, including interactive services. Digital signals react less to interference than analog signals; so, there is no "ghosting."
So there are solid market-related reasons for TV stations to switch. But instead of permitting them to do so at their own convenience or when they would alienate the fewest number of customers, the FCC has handled the conversion through mandates.
All television sets sold in the past four or five years are equipped to receive digital signals, and cable and satellite systems also use digital technology. But people with older analog sets – who tend to be older or lower-income people – or those who use their old analog TV sets in secondary household locations, will need a converter box. There's a government (i.e., taxpayer-funded) program that provides a $40 coupon to help pay for converter boxes. But John Podesta, co-chairman of President Obama's transition team, says the program has not kept pace with demand, and some 2 million people are now on a waiting list for coupons. Thus the pressure to delay the conversion date.
In addition, the characteristics of analog and digital signals are different. Most people will get better reception and more channels with converter boxes and digital signals. But a small percentage of people, mostly in rural areas (the FCC estimates that 11 percent of stations will have a signal that reaches 2 percent fewer viewers) will actually get fewer channels with digital transmission.
It only takes a small number of people negatively affected by a technological change managed and mandated by the government to get politicians posturing and introducing legislation.
Given that the conversion date has been delayed several times already, and it costs TV stations to send out both analog and digital signals, which they are doing now, the best bet, despite the fact that there will be a few problems, is probably not to delay the conversion date again. But the experience demonstrates that although technological changes always involve some friction, expense and inconvenience (what did you do with all your old vinyl records?), they generally are better handled in the private marketplace than through government management.
-LEX REX
Well done.I am glad to spent to view your blog.Thank you for your sharing.
Posted by: Air Jordan | July 14, 2010 at 08:22 PM
Life is not a spelling bee, where no matter how many words you’ve gotten right, you’re disqualified if you make one mistake. Did you agree with me? Posed By Asics shoes
Posted by: Asics shoes | August 27, 2010 at 08:23 PM
Do you desire a house but you lack enough cash to acquire it?
Posted by: RamonGustav | September 02, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Hi..The good news that prezi will be releasing their education license in the next month .I agree with you,That the healthy it is inportant to us.We must keep our boay healthy.So that we must eat prezi little.The body is the capital of revolution.Wish you!!!
Posted by: Nike Shox Navina | September 24, 2010 at 01:37 AM
Congratulations! You have so much useful information, write more.
Posted by: Music_master | September 25, 2010 at 07:14 PM
cialis tadalafil cialis tadalafil 100mg cialis tadalafil 20 mg cialis tadalafil american express cialis tadalafil canada cialis tadalafil cialis tadafil tal cialis tadalafil reviews cialis tadalafil viagra cialis tadalafil work cialis the dangers fda cialis the sex pill cialis to buy
Posted by: Hot_cialis | October 31, 2010 at 09:23 AM
cialis soft generic cialis soft order cialis soft tab description cialis soft tab india cialis soft tablets cialis soft tabs 10 mg cialis soft tabs bestseller cialis soft tabs online cialis soft top cialis softabs cialis softabs generic cialis softtab how works cialis softtabs online
Posted by: RX-order | November 20, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Merry Christmas! I wish you a lot of gifts and luck in the new year.
Posted by: Antivirus_man | December 07, 2010 at 08:56 AM
The new year is already knocking at the door, let it will bring only happiness and joy.
Posted by: JOBS_frend | December 27, 2010 at 09:18 AM
Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!
Posted by: school_dubl | December 29, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Rental | January 16, 2011 at 03:58 AM
Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Rental | January 21, 2011 at 06:45 AM
Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, a cool site I like
Posted by: Hotjobs | January 26, 2011 at 02:05 AM