Digital TV, The Countdown Is On
Steven Lancey
Along with your standard TV signal you receiving now, all television stations are simulcasting a digital version of the same signal. In less than six months, the new digital signal will be the only signal their transmitting.
Digital television (DTV) is here! It's changing the way we watch TV. DTV will allow stations to broadcast programs in much higher resolution or clarity than standard analog television. DTV is arguably expanding to include video content delivered digitally, whether through the Internet or even formats like Windows Media High Definition Video which can be downloaded or served up on a DVD. DTV will furnish consumers with a clearer picture, more programming and will free up much needed spectrum for advanced wireless broadband services and interoperable communications among emergency first responders.
The First Transition
On 1 September 2006, Luxembourg became the first European country to transition completely to DTV. This mandate was designed to help provide a painless transition to the new standards. In addition, effective May 25, 2007, the Commission required sellers of television receiving equipment that does not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box* to receive over-the-air broadcast television after the transition date. Cable system operators are trying to provide at least five HD channels to comply with the Fcc's wishes to move the digital transition along. Many public television licensees will incur transition costs that exceed their projected annual revenues. Once broadcasters transition from analog to digital, will analog televisions will be obsolete? The answer is NO. Your current analog TV will continue to work with the addition of an add-on converter box*. These converter boxes* are now available in retail stores and online. Analog broadcasting will continue until the end of the transition period, which is set for February 17, 2009.
Consumer Concerns
Consumers should then ensure that their televisions are set up to receive over-the-air programming (as distinguished from the signals of a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service), and then tune to the over-the-air digital channels to see if they can receive the digital broadcast programming. Consumers, as they are denied access to high quality digital content in the home. Consumers would never choose this future, so Hollywood will try to force it on them by regulatory fiat. Consumers will find the cost-benefit analysis needed to figure out if they are getting a good deal will be a painful exercise. Consumer groups say this is only fair because the government is essentially reducing the value of people's property. Consumers Union says the transition, as currently planned, is "totally unworkable and unfair to consumers.
DTV is a new broadcasting technology that uses digital signals instead of analog signals. Digital Television is an exciting new technology that changes the way that Free to Air television broadcasters provide their television broadcasts to their viewers. DTV provides better picture quality, improved sound and superior reception to your existing analogue television service. DTV also allows broadcasters to provide certain programs in a very high quality picture format equal to that shown in movie theaters.
* To purchase a digital converter box visit: http://www.hdtvultimate.com
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