congress set to delay DTV.

[saprano]

All this advertising about the 17th for nothing?

January 23, 2009 | by Chuck McKenney
Apparently we just aren’t ready for the DTV transtion. And that has Congress scrambling to delay next month’s (Feb 17) deadline for all broadcasters to switch from analog to digital signals.

“The shameful truth is that we are not poised to do this transition right,” says Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.V. “We are only weeks away from doing it dreadfully wrong — and leaving consumers with the consequences.”

Those consequences are life without TV for anyone using antennas to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals. According to Nielsen, more than 6.5 million U.S. households are not prepared for the transition.

A Senate vote on the delay is reportedly scheduled for next week. June 12 will likely be the new deadline.

The government has spent $1.34 billion on a campaign to educate consumers about the switch and for coupons to help pay for converter boxes.

The delay will come with a cost. Television stations will have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals. The FCC will have to pony up more cash for new PSAs informing consumers about the new deadline. And it forces the wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting to use the old analog spectrum to further delay their plans.

http://www.electronichouse.com/artic..._dtv_deadline/

[camper]

I sense another bailout package.

Yippie!



camper

[blujacket]

People had plenty of time to prepare for this. I'm tired of bailouts! Whats next free tv's?

[Another_Dude]

Anyone that wasn't ready for this in Feb won't be ready in June.

Just do it so I don't have to hear about it any more.

[STARSCREAM]

Great, we get to watch these mf'n commercials over and over still and see the stupid @** scrolling message across top of screen while watching something some more. . If people aren't ready too f'n bad. They have had plenty of time. Besides that, they can just go buy a freakin digital tv. Get a small one for under $200.

[Septimus Prime]

Here's how to MAKE them ready: just do it, and they'll be forced to be ready. That $40 voucher was already a stupid idea.

[xtop]

1 star thread?

saw this coming. anyone take bets on it being extended to feb of 2010?

[QwikSand]

Anybody have this rolled out in their areas already? I know that some areas in the country went fully digital months ago to test it out. May have been in Texas or NC I think.

[twill812]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

Anyone that wasn't ready for this in Feb won't be ready in June.

Just do it so I don't have to hear about it any more.

Agree

[joeorc]

truely our govt. has let the people down. pathetic is what this is. you have been hearing, and seeing tv ad's about this for over a year. the transition should happen and congress need to stay out of this. the resolution was already passed. it's been delayed already for over 10 year's.

if they were not ready now. they will not be ready in 6 month's.

at our govt. , you let the people of the US down.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Septimus Prime

Here's how to MAKE them ready: just do it, and they'll be forced to be ready.

You are correct sir. The majority shouldn't be held back by the minority. Most of us are ready for the conversion.

[SDon1969]

Congress should be focusing on many other things than this, silly bastages....

[My_Two_Cents]

This is what happens when you let the pinheads in government run anything except the military. Soon they'll be running the banks, health care, etc. God help us......

[camper]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

This is what happens when you let the pinheads in government run anything except the military. Soon they'll be running the banks, health care, etc. God help us......

Another quote for your sig, Ricshoe:

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~President Gerald R. Ford (often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson)

camper

[Sussudio]

jesus are you serious. who wants to bet this wont happen until 2010

[pacificvibes]

Is it a big deal to make the signal go all digital??? Why does it matter? I mean, is it really necessary??? Shouldn't we focus on something more important oh I don't know maybe the ECONOMY!!!!!

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by camper

Another quote for your sig, Ricshoe:

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~President Gerald R. Ford (often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson)

camper

Thanks, Camp-man. I'll have to remember that one. It will be so very applicable in the coming months/years.....

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

Is it a big deal to make the signal go all digital??? Why does it matter? I mean, is it really necessary??? Shouldn't we focus on something more important oh I don't know maybe the ECONOMY!!!!!

It's really not a big deal. But government got involved and made it FUBAR. If they would simply allow the stations to change, those who didn't prepare will eventually figure out how to get their signals back. It's not like it will be the end of the world for anyone. The last I checked, TV was not a necessity or a right granted by the Constitution.

[camper]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

Is it a big deal to make the signal go all digital??? Why does it matter? I mean, is it really necessary??? Shouldn't we focus on something more important oh I don't know maybe the ECONOMY!!!!!

The government ALREADY spent 1.6 billion to get this far...how much MORE do you think will be spent so that the 6 or so million people who didn't get their rebate form will "Get what's owed 'em"?

camper

[dk3dknight]

I say cut it, folks have had enough time to react to it.. if they are planning on ignoring the goverment or waiting to the very last minute let em suffer.

Tv is not one of the neccsities of life.. (food, water, roof) ive heard worriment over the elderly.. well I hate to say this they might need to buy a newspaper then.. for there news..

Then pushing it back tells the j6p the govemrent is not serious about doing this, and they can ignore it.. and any other situation brought foward by the goverment.

For this amount of money it would seem they could have hired people to go door to door and tell everyone in person.. and give them a 2 man police escort.. so that makes them more official.