OT: When are all BC stations going digital ?

t-keats wrote on 11/26/2005, 10:02 AM

I know that in the USA the FCC has kept pushing back the date but I don't what the latest is. Anyone know a date for sure?

I do know that everyone with an analog CRT TV with a standard NTSC tuner will need to buy a digital tuner box and they now cost between $200-$300.

Some current standard res 27" CRT TVs are now being sold with dual tuners. Price range abot $250-$300.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 11/26/2005, 10:12 AM

It depends entirely on the demographics. January 1, 2007, is the set date. However, if a broadcaster can show that less than 85% of their demographic region is not DTV capable, then they can appeal/request an extension. There's a lot more to it than that, but in a nutshell... that's the rule.
There is still great debate over subsidized DTV receivers that may end up costing the end user less than $20.00
Here is a really well-written article

Coursedesign wrote on 11/26/2005, 11:39 AM

At least one northern European country pulled the plug on the last analog transmitter this fall, and barely anybody even noticed.

Nearly 100% cable or satellite, so where's the change for the user?

BarryGreen wrote on 11/26/2005, 12:40 PM

Spot is correct as to what the current law is, but the law is about to change (yet again). On Nov. 4, three weeks ago, the US Senate set the date for a transition to DTV broadcasts at April 7, 2009. Last October the US House passed a bill that set the date at Dec. 31, 2008. They have yet to reconcile those two, although assumedly they will, and when they do that will become the new law. As far as I know, this new law is a hard transition date, without any provision made for the 85% rule.

And, to head off confusion -- this is not a mandate to switch to HDTV. There is not, nor has there ever been, a mandate by the FCC to switch to high-def. This is a changeover from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. Both SD and HD signals get broadcast digitally.

riredale wrote on 11/26/2005, 1:05 PM

I read somewhere that the reason April was chosen as a switchover date was because it represented a quiet time in the professional sports season. Don't want to cut off someone's team playoffs!

There's a lot happening under the surface. I was involved int the HDTV standards-setting process back in the late 1980's. The original "hard" deadline was 1991! Our project was cut off by the FCC because I was honest and stated in a letter (unlike the other contenders) that our codec wouldn't be finished in time to have wide availability by 1991.

Congress is supposedly really, REALLY, determined this time, but don't underestimate the enormous power of the broadcast industry, led by the NAB. The over-the-air stations currently have two broadcast slots, and will fight to the death to keep them both.

Spot|DSE wrote on 11/26/2005, 2:47 PM

My feeling, based on correspondence both with the subcommittee and NAB, is that the two will end up fighting again (house and senate) over settling the date. NAB is lobbying hard for earlier date.
I to, have been led to believe that with the new legislation, the date becomes a hard date, with no population based transitional consideration. I kinda think that the April 2009 date will prevail, giving broadcasters an additional 14 months of breathing room.

Riredale, I've heard the same thing, that since April is a slow season, that's why the change is to occur then.

farss wrote on 11/26/2005, 3:05 PM

I don't know how this plays out in the USA but down here the broadcasters would mostly like to pull the analogue plug NOW. Cost of running two transmitters for regional relay stations is quite high, just the power bill is a killer.
I'm pleased to see the Chinese are now making cheap portable LCD TVs with the digital tuner built in, if there's one thing that benefits from DVB it's those hand held TVs that don't have ready access to a decent aerial.
If you haven't already done so, buy a SD STB and feed your TV component or RGB, anything but composite. The difference in image quality is staggering, well it is in PAL.
Bob.