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By MaryHelen Swanson
Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – full-power over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.
The push to make sure we all have our little boxes on top of our televisions by next February is beginning to get my goat. For heaven’s sake, will it be the end of the world if we don’t have crime, violence, blood and guts coming into our living rooms at the click of a remote? Or any more inane reality shows?
Why is no one asking questions about this national mandate? And where is a good explanation for why we have to go with HDTV? For better picture? Better sound? More stations? Since when does our government dictate how good the television reception is in our homes?
Here is some of the information I have been able to find on why the switch.
DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer crystal clear pictures and sound, more channels and even free, over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television sets.
I already have “free” television programming, and that’s all I have right now. And that’s all I want.
Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs. And who might they be?
Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality (again, why does the government care if I have a clear picture?), DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at once. This is known as “multicasting.” DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology. Not sure I need all that.
One after another source defines digital television (DTV) as an “innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.” Again, that worry about me seeing clearly.
The conversion is designed to make better use of the public airwaves. Digital broadcast signals take up less spectrum, so once broadcasters make the transition it will free up a big chunk of the airwaves and allow the government to auction it off.
Some believe this will result in a revenue stream of billions of dollars. I guess that’s where the deficit reduction will come in but who will be buying these air waves and for what purpose?
There is a lot of information out there regarding this conversion. But what is the truth about these so-called services? Why does the government care about the quality of my television viewing? Is it all right for the government to tell us we need to have clearer pictures, more channels, and better sound quality?
Who’s getting the profit from all those little boxes?
In all the preparation for that fateful day in February, are we getting all the real facts about why this is necessary? I am concerned. What are the real consequences of not buying that digital converter or a new television.
I forget, so I can see clearly, right?
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