House Passes Delay to Digital TV - Blu-ray Forum

caliblue15 · 01-28-2009, 10:15 PM

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The effort to delay next month's scheduled death of analog television suffered a setback in Congress on Wednesday, despite warnings that millions of American homes will not be able to see broadcast shows in three weeks.
Will the end of analog television come in February, or sometime later? The answer is now up in the air.

Will the end of analog television come in February, or sometime later? The answer is now up in the air.

The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously Monday, failed to get the necessary two-thirds vote in the House on Wednesday afternoon.

It was not immediately known if or when another vote might be taken in the House.

Unless Congress acts quickly, older televisions won't pick up TV broadcasts after February 17 without a digital converter. The switch will not affect cable or satellite subscribers.

On that date, all local stations are required to pull the plug on the analog transmitters they've used since the invention of television. The stations have begun digital broadcasts over the last several years

The transition to digital-only broadcasts has been set for nearly a decade, but 6.5 million households, mostly lower-income, have not bought the newer digital TVs or converters for their old sets, according to a study by the Nielsen Company.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, would allow stations to keep their old transmitters turned on until June 12.
Don't Miss

* Senate OKs delay of digital TV transition

Senators, worried about the static they'll see when the plug is pulled on analog television broadcasts in the United States, had approved the emergency measure Monday and rushed it to the House floor for a vote Tuesday afternoon. But representatives put off the vote until Wednesday.

Two members of the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter to Rockefeller and Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, this month "to express our deep concern" that the country is "nowhere near" ready for the signal switch.

Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein called for a delay to give the government more time to get "boots on the ground" to help with the transition.

At least $200 million has been spent in recent years to explain to TV viewers how they need to prepare, but one key element of the federal government's transition plans hit a bottleneck in recent months.

The FCC ran out of money in recent weeks for the $40 coupons to help people buy converters for their analog TVs.

The new digital signals also don't reach some communities now served by the analog signals, the commissioners said.

The FCC opened a call center just last week to help consumers prepare for the analog-to-digital switch.

The four-month delay would come with a cost to local television stations. Keeping their old transmitters turned on would result in higher power bills and maintenance expenses.

Please do not make this a political thread as the other one on the Senate Passing was closed, this is just to inform everyone and have adult conversations.

Y3k Bug · 01-28-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliblue15

... and have adult conversations.

Will it cost me $9.95 a minute?

It will be interesting to see what eventually happens. It's out of the hands of us little guys anyway I suppose.

MarkJ801 · 01-28-2009, 10:22 PM

Ehh, I just think this will cause even more confusion over the transition. I would have liked to have just gotten it done...

caliblue15 · 01-28-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnx12

Ehh, I just think this will cause even more confusion over the transition. I would have liked to have just gotten it done...

What? The House stopped the date from changing, its staying the same...

Blu-Benny · 01-28-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnx12

Ehh, I just think this will cause even more confusion over the transition. I would have liked to have just gotten it done...

+1

caliblue15 · 01-28-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

+1

Again, read my above post... it was denied changing...

owa · 01-28-2009, 10:31 PM

They shouldn't have tried to delay it in the first place (imo). So, hopefully this will end that but as someone else mentioned, it'll probably just cause more confusion.

haste · 01-28-2009, 10:39 PM

yeah, im glad the govt turned out not to be so idiotic after all and didnt delay the transition(so far).

caliblue15 · 01-28-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haste

yeah, im glad the govt turned out not to be so idiotic after all and didnt delay the transition(so far).

yeah, they could revote...

BruceWayne · 01-28-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliblue15

yeah, they could revote...

And it said on Yahoo that if they revote they are going to try for a floor vote which would only need to win by majority instead of 2/3. They need to just kill this thing.

caliblue15 · 01-28-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceWayne

And it said on Yahoo that if they revote they are going to try for a floor vote which would only need to win by majority instead of 2/3. They need to just kill this thing.

Majority of who is actually there....

jkwest · 01-28-2009, 11:09 PM

sigh...why is the government making this so complicated!?

just let the damn thing happen already...

BruceWayne · 01-28-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliblue15

Majority of who is actually there....

lol, good point.

SkantDragon · 01-28-2009, 11:54 PM

Frankly, they could delay it another decade, and millions of people still wouldn't be ready. There's been lots of time for this. If these folks aren't ready by now, then they are obviously not going to take any action until the switch has already occured.

Delaying the switch again will only further convince them to not bother making any effort and confuse the populace further.

Eventually, you just have to say 'Hey, it's too late to turn your homework in'.

Bobby Henderson · 01-29-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceWayne

And it said on Yahoo that if they revote they are going to try for a floor vote which would only need to win by majority instead of 2/3. They need to just kill this thing.

Apparently the earliest the DTV Delay bill could come back to the House floor for a vote would be some time next week. And that would be only 2 weeks from the Feb. 17 deadline which is still in effect. Very little time for broadcasters to change plans already in motion, much less change all those "DTV is taking over Feb 17" commercials.

Add to that the factors of amendments getting attached and the whole thing needing to be reconciled with the Senate's version in committees and you have a situation where Congress may be lucky to have something in front of the President to sign before mid February.

I read the US House is adjourned until Friday. Congress is pretty consumed by debating the economic stimulus package and a lot of other issues. They can afford to spend only so much time talking about DTV.

While the possibility still exists that the House may succeed in delaying the current 2/17 DTV deadline, chances are not very good they will manage doing that.

Blu-Malibu2009 · 01-29-2009, 12:30 AM

I'll be glad when my local ABC station is forced to upgrade to digital. They still haven't started broadcasting in digital although they've promised an HD signal by the February 19th changeover date. I wouldn't mind their refusal to upgrade if they actually had a high quality standard def broadcast but they don't. It's garbage. The worst of any of the local channels.

caliblue15 · 01-29-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Apparently the earliest the DTV Delay bill could come back to the House floor for a vote would be some time next week. And that would be only 2 weeks from the Feb. 17 deadline which is still in effect. Very little time for broadcasters to change plans already in motion, much less change all those "DTV is taking over Feb 17" commercials.

Add to that the factors of amendments getting attached and the whole thing needing to be reconciled with the Senate's version in committees and you have a situation where Congress may be lucky to have something in front of the President to sign before mid February.

I read the US House is adjourned until Friday. Congress is pretty consumed by debating the economic stimulus package and a lot of other issues. They can afford to spend only so much time talking about DTV.

While the possibility still exists that the House may succeed in delaying the current 2/17 DTV deadline, chances are not very good they will manage doing that.

They passed the stimulus bill today...

Bobby Henderson · 01-29-2009, 01:44 AM

The House voted to pass the stimulus bill. It still has to hurdle through the Senate, where it could end up being stuck in filibuster. Chances are strong serious changes would be made to it requiring more trips through both the House and Senate.

STARSCREAM · 01-29-2009, 05:14 AM

Good. They need to just do it and get it over with. This is ridiculous. They are wasting so much time on this little matter when there are far greater matters that need attended to asap.

bajor27 · 01-29-2009, 05:20 AM

Not that it really affects me, but I hope this doesn't pass. The remaining people will switch over mighty quickly once they realize they can't watch TV anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

Good. They need to just do it and get it over with. This is ridiculous. They are wasting so much time on this little matter when there are far greater matters that need attended to asap.

I couldn't agree more

01-28-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
caliblue15 Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2007 Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:85 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:6	House Passes Delay to Digital TV WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The effort to delay next month's scheduled death of analog television suffered a setback in Congress on Wednesday, despite warnings that millions of American homes will not be able to see broadcast shows in three weeks. Will the end of analog television come in February, or sometime later? The answer is now up in the air. Will the end of analog television come in February, or sometime later? The answer is now up in the air. The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously Monday, failed to get the necessary two-thirds vote in the House on Wednesday afternoon. It was not immediately known if or when another vote might be taken in the House. Unless Congress acts quickly, older televisions won't pick up TV broadcasts after February 17 without a digital converter. The switch will not affect cable or satellite subscribers. On that date, all local stations are required to pull the plug on the analog transmitters they've used since the invention of television. The stations have begun digital broadcasts over the last several years The transition to digital-only broadcasts has been set for nearly a decade, but 6.5 million households, mostly lower-income, have not bought the newer digital TVs or converters for their old sets, according to a study by the Nielsen Company. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, would allow stations to keep their old transmitters turned on until June 12. Don't Miss * Senate OKs delay of digital TV transition Senators, worried about the static they'll see when the plug is pulled on analog television broadcasts in the United States, had approved the emergency measure Monday and rushed it to the House floor for a vote Tuesday afternoon. But representatives put off the vote until Wednesday. Two members of the Federal Communications Commission sent a letter to Rockefeller and Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, this month "to express our deep concern" that the country is "nowhere near" ready for the signal switch. Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein called for a delay to give the government more time to get "boots on the ground" to help with the transition. At least $200 million has been spent in recent years to explain to TV viewers how they need to prepare, but one key element of the federal government's transition plans hit a bottleneck in recent months. The FCC ran out of money in recent weeks for the $40 coupons to help people buy converters for their analog TVs. The new digital signals also don't reach some communities now served by the analog signals, the commissioners said. The FCC opened a call center just last week to help consumers prepare for the analog-to-digital switch. The four-month delay would come with a cost to local television stations. Keeping their old transmitters turned on would result in higher power bills and maintenance expenses. Please do not make this a political thread as the other one on the Senate Passing was closed, this is just to inform everyone and have adult conversations.

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01-28-2009, 10:22 PM	#3
MarkJ801 Power Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Salt Lake City Blu-ray collection:273 DVD collection:2	Ehh, I just think this will cause even more confusion over the transition. I would have liked to have just gotten it done...

01-28-2009, 10:31 PM	#7
owa Blu-ray Knight Member since:Apr 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 96	They shouldn't have tried to delay it in the first place (imo). So, hopefully this will end that but as someone else mentioned, it'll probably just cause more confusion.

01-28-2009, 10:39 PM	#8
haste Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:87 Blu-ray reviews:1	yeah, im glad the govt turned out not to be so idiotic after all and didnt delay the transition(so far).

01-28-2009, 11:09 PM	#12
jkwest Off-Topic King Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Northern California PSN Id: jkwest5 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:20	sigh...why is the government making this so complicated!? just let the damn thing happen already...

01-28-2009, 11:54 PM	#14
SkantDragon Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	Frankly, they could delay it another decade, and millions of people still wouldn't be ready. There's been lots of time for this. If these folks aren't ready by now, then they are obviously not going to take any action until the switch has already occured. Delaying the switch again will only further convince them to not bother making any effort and confuse the populace further. Eventually, you just have to say 'Hey, it's too late to turn your homework in'.

01-29-2009, 12:30 AM	#16
Blu-Malibu2009 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Texas Blu-ray collection:207	I'll be glad when my local ABC station is forced to upgrade to digital. They still haven't started broadcasting in digital although they've promised an HD signal by the February 19th changeover date. I wouldn't mind their refusal to upgrade if they actually had a high quality standard def broadcast but they don't. It's garbage. The worst of any of the local channels.

01-29-2009, 01:44 AM	#18
Bobby Henderson Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Oklahoma Blu-ray collection:96 Blu-ray reviews: 12	The House voted to pass the stimulus bill. It still has to hurdle through the Senate, where it could end up being stuck in filibuster. Chances are strong serious changes would be made to it requiring more trips through both the House and Senate.

01-29-2009, 05:14 AM	#19
STARSCREAM Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Dagobah Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:67	Good. They need to just do it and get it over with. This is ridiculous. They are wasting so much time on this little matter when there are far greater matters that need attended to asap.

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