June 12th digital transition date for US TV stations (some will switch Feb17th)

[HDTV1080P]

June 12th is the official digital transition date for full power US TV stations

(Some TV stations will switch early, starting on Feb 17th )

http://www.tvpredictions.com/dmess021209.htm

Only consumers that receive 100% of their TV programming from satellite or cable TV service will not be affected by the June 12th transition to digital most likely. (It is the responsibility of the cable company and satellite company to make sure they are ready to receive the local over the air broadcast channels when the switch occurs). At a future date some cable companies will switch from NTSC to 100% digital QAM but they will notify their subscribers before doing that. Verzion FIOS is already 100% digital QAM and Dish Network and Direct TV have always been 100% digital.

Now for consumers that receive all or some of their local broadcast channels with an indoor or outdoor TV antenna then they will need to own an ATSC tuner between Feb 17th and June 12th. Unless there is another delay for the switch, in theory on June 12th all full power existing NTSC analog TV stations will switch to 100% digital ATSC. The problem is many stations are going to switch as early as Feb 17th which will cause some people around the country to lose a few channels somewhere between Feb 17th and June 12th.

The 480I ATSC digital converter boxes only cost around $39.99 (some models cost around $50-$75). Some consumers that were able to get two free $40 coupons from the government now have two free 480I DTV converter boxes. Other consumers with an old HD display have purchased under $100 true 1080I HD ATSC converter box for their TV. Some consumers have made the decision to replace their TV set with a low cost TV with a built in ATSC tuner. Super Walmart stores have 14 inch 480I CRT RCA TV's with a built in ATSC/QAM tuner for only $114.97. Also a 22 inch VIZIO 1080P LCD TV with a built in ATSC/QAM tuner can be purchased at a few retail stores for under $300.

Perhaps the switch to digital will help the consumer electronics industry as millions of new converter boxes, TV's, and DVD recorders are sold with an ATSC tuner. This digital transition might help jump start the economy a little.
It is estimated that several millions of consumers this year will be purchasing converter boxes, TV's, and DVD recorders that contain an ATSC tuner so that they can watch their local channels. Of course most consumers will choose to get a $40 converter box (free if they were able to get a coupon). Still many people that have a twenty year old TV or a very old VCR might decide it is time to upgrade and get a new DVD recorder or TV set with built in ATSC tuner.
It is too bad the Feb. 17th transition date was moved to June 12th. The TV manufactories are waiting to get rid of inventory. DTV Converter box manufactories and TV manufactories were counting on Feb 17th as the digital transition deadline. Delaying the transition to June 12th costs the industry more money.

Tomorrow is Feb 17th, if the FCC does allow as many as 368 stations to go digital early then between Feb 17th and June 12th the sale of DTV converter boxes and TV's will start to rise. Then on June 12th with 100% of existing full power stations scheduled to go digital demand for DTV converters, TV's and DVD recorders should greatly increase.


This entire switch to digital is going to cause a lot of confusion, especially with the partial switch delay until June 12th.