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Is the US Ready For the Switch To DTV?

Posted by Soulskill on from the if-so,-can-the-commercials-stop? dept.

tonsofpcs writes "On Monday, September 8, Wilmington, NC will be the first television market (#135) to make the switch to DTV by shutting off their analog transmitters. This forum will be posting updates throughout the coming months to keep everyone updated on how the transition works so that we are all prepared come February 17, 2009. So far, it seems Wilmington will still be going ahead as planned, despite Tropical Storm Hanna's proximity."

4 of 423 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Despite Tropical Storm Hanna? by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is going to happen in February, why on earth should a tropical storm delay it if it's still September? For that matter, why would it be delayed at all? Is there something mystical and magical about tropical storms that we don't know here?

    The use of TV as a warning mechanism for evacuations / seeking shelter. If you turn that off fro those still on analog you've added to the complexity of an evacuation.

    --
    I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
  2. Will they broadcast a notice? by bigtallmofo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How hard would it be to broadcast on all common channels in the area a fixed pattern that says something along the lines of, "TV broadcasts using your current equipment are no longer available. Please conatct... blah blah blah".

    Seems that would be better than just turning it off. Maybe just run it for a week or so.

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
    1. Re:Will they broadcast a notice? by HairyCanary · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I can't speak for other markets, but here in Portland at least one station recently ran a prime time demonstration. They said "Right now we are going to turn off the analog transmitter for 60 seconds. You will know if you are affected if your picture goes away."

      That's pretty smart IMO, and they should start doing that more often, perhaps every evening as we get closer to the switch, maybe even several times a day.

  3. recession by gbh1935 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    House in foreclosure CHECK Credit Cards past due CHECK Car Repossessed CHECK TV ready for Digital....not a priority