FCC Pushes Online For Digital TV

[UpInArms]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/04/tech/main647257.shtml

(AP) Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell unveiled an online effort Monday to help consumers better understand the digital transition.

The site includes a shoppers' guide, FAQs, and a link to another online HDTV effort, the industry-backed portal created by Decisionmark that will bring up available HDTV programming in a particular market, linked to zip code.

Www.dtv.gov is part of a general consumer-focused push for DTV by the FCC. Powell says that effort will also include Powell's halftime appearance on Monday Night Football being interviewed about digital TV.

The FCC has a plan to speed the transition to DTV by defining a set as receiving digital when it can receive a signal converted to analog. Part of that plan is the potential to subsidize the conversion of a primary in the homes of those who can't afford the technology to convert that digital signal for use on their existing analog sets.

...more...

Michael Whore for the Corporations Powell pushing the products for his masters.

[ixion]

1. yeah, then we all have to run out and get a new TV

if the FCC likes it, there must be something wrong with it, IMO.

[Rosco T.]

2. You don't have to get a new TV..

a converter box will take care of the problems. I recently updated my TV with a HDTV OTA converter box and the difference between the pciture is NIGHT and DAY.

Much clearer, no interferenance, no ghosts, no static. Absolutely Crystal clear.

This is one of the few FCC pushes that is worth a damn.

[MikeDuffy]

8. Details, please?

Make, model, price for converter. And what about the antenna? And any other miscellaneous hardware that adds to the cost...

[sendero]

9. Sorry...

... I disagree.

I want the FCC out of my life. They have carved up the airwaves and sold it for peanuts to the broadcast industry - who are supposed to, in return, operate "in the public interest".

The broadcasters don't operate in any such interest.

I'd prefer a communications medium that the FCC has nothing to do with. This is just an attempt to co-opt the internet.

Screw Micheal Powell and screw the FCC.

[AndyTiedye]

10. But if UHF Reception is Weak You May Get NOTHING

Nearly all digital is on UHF channels, which don't have nearly
the range that VHF does. I'm in a fringe area, VHF analog stations
are OK, UHF analog is very weak and we cannot acquire ANY digital
signals at all. I have a deep fringe antenna and an amplifier.
Antennaweb.org said I should pick up a dozen digital stations, but
the signal strength is far too weak. Too much absorption in the
redwood trees, perhaps.

If analog goes away a lot of fringe areas will lose reception entirely.

[realFedUp]

3. Wonder what companies are lining Powell's pockets...

probably the same who will hire him when
he's out of a job.

[Lefta Dissenter]

4. Huh?

:wtf: Why are we taxpayers paying for advertising for the digital cable companies? Not to mention the digital television manufacturers. If I want to find out about digital cable, I'll call the damned cable company!

[AmandaRuth]

5. NO MORE support for cable companies

until we get our network or they unbundle channels - i will not pay for party control of news networks, nor will i support companies who advertise on party controlled news networks.

[FlemingsGhost]

6. Kill, kill kill ... your television.

Put your foot through it. Pull an Elvis. Drop it off your roof, and deposit the remains at your local media headquarters.

Mail your on/off remote button to the FCC, Attention: M. Powell.

(edited for clarity)

[Rosco T.]

7. this ISN'T DIGITAL CABLE!!!!!!!!!! Digital OVER THE AIR LOCAL CHANNELS