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question of the day
Analog to Digital TV Transition: Are We Insensitive To Regular Folks? A Reader Responds
Our stance on the analog to digital TV transition is that most people who can afford it should get a new TV, throwing their 1980s Magnavox set out like so much old trash. But are we insensitive to older folks and the less fortunate? A reader weighs in. More »
digital switchover
Digital Converter Boxes Are for Cheap Fogies, Not Sony Customers
As much as Sony is looking forward to the Feb. 2009 analog broadcast cutoff, the opportunity to sell millions of government-subsidized digital converter boxes isn't why. Sony isn't even touching that mess, or the low-end consumers who want them. Talking about the effect of digital converter boxes on the HDTV biz today in New York, Sony Electronics CEO Stan Glasgow told us: More »
retromodo
Dealzmodo: 1989 Kraco Cellphone Was $1,500, Now $15
Waiting around for a rebate offer so you can score a sweet new handset? Why not go retro instead with Kraco's KCP-205 Trans-mobile cellular phone, listed on eBay at an opening bid of $15. That's approximately $1,500 less than it originally cost back in the day, when all you needed was a shoulder, an oil field and a dream. The phone was only used for one month, and the leather carrying case and manual are still in great shape. Just remember, even if you do convince some carrier to give you service for this old clunker, it would only last a few weeks, as the cellphone analog switch-off is still scheduled for Feb. 19. Good hunting! [eBay]
11:43 AM on Tue Jan 22 2008
By Wilson Rothman
5,961 views,
22 comments
Latest by dontforget: @Earthslide: agreed but this has to be older than the zack morris phone. im just guessing more »
fcc
FCC Chairman Kicking Cable and Wireless Ass in 2008
The initials F-C-C don't usually engender excitement, but at least according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, it's ground zero for most of the broadcasting, wireless and high-bandwidth landline innovations we'll see in the next couple years. Martin spilled on everything from the 700MHz auction to a rumored DirecTV/Dish network merger. (Seriously.) They covered a lot of stuff, here's the Cliff's Notes: More »
8:36 PM on Tue Jan 8 2008
By matt buchanan
21,766 views,
33 comments
dealzmodo?
Digital TV Converter Coupons From Uncle Sam Available Now, Old People Rejoice
Old people love coupons, especially ones worth 40 bucks, which buys a lot of Metamucil. They're also the people most likely to need digital converter boxes for analog sets to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts after Feb. 2009. So I'm happy to report that
ces 2008
Study: More than Half of U.S. Households Own a Digital Television
According to research released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), more than half of U.S. households now own a digital television.They are also forecasting 32 million new units shipped in 2008 —79% of which will be HDTV. Remember to get yours before Feb. 19th 2009 when the U.S. goes all digital. [Press Release]
digital switchover
Analog Cell Network Goes Bye-Bye, Escalade Owners Weep
Sad news in the rap community: As of December 31, OnStar will no longer support its own analog systems in older vehicles, in anticipation of the analog cellphone shutdown scheduled for Feb. 19, 2008. Most of us no longer have analog phones, not even those dual-band and tri-band ones capable of analog roaming. Still, certain systems still rely on the network, including burglar alarms, utility meter readers and in-car help systems—not just OnStar but also LexusLink and Mercedes-Benz TeleAid. When AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Alltel switch off their networks, many OnStar users will find themselves SOL. [AP; OnStar Digital Transition] More »
11:17 AM on Wed Dec 26 2007
By Wilson Rothman
4,576 views,
21 comments
Latest by an1m3fr33k: @molson3530: but did you have to pay for the upgrade? more »
digital switchover
Philips to Sell Magnavox and Philco Branded DTV Converters to Your Grandma
A few weeks ago, after reporting on the RCA and Zenith branded digital converter boxes approved by the FCC for analog-TV holdouts, I jokingly asked where the Magnavox DTV converter box was. Turns out, Philips will not only ship a Magnavox box eligible for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's $40 coupon at participating retailers, but it will also ship two boxes under the freaking Philco brand. I don't want to sound ageist, but the brand strategy seems like this: anyone under the age of 60 will buy a new TV, those 60 to 80 will buy Magnavox, and those holdouts 80 years of age or older who wishing to keep their old analog TV alive will have not one but two Philcos to choose from, just like back in 1953. [Philips]
ces preview 2008
LG's Zenith DTT900 Converter Competes with RCA for Grandma's $40 Coupon
Last night we showed you the finished look of the RCA DTA800, one of the "digital switchover" converter boxes your stubborn granny can buy early next year with her $40 coupon from the government, in lieu of getting a new goddamn TV. The CES folks have praised the other box too, a Zenith-branded DTT900 digital-to-analog converter box made and marketed by LG. Anyone who thinks we're being a little reductive take note of the old-people branding. RCA? Zenith? Where's the Philips-made Magnavox converter? That would complete the trio. [CES]
ces preview 2008
RCA DTA800 Digital Converter for Analog TVs Updated, Delayed
We kinda forgot all about this little box for old folks with old TVs that was announced way back at CES and promised by the end of this year. It's got a fresh paint job and later street date (January), dropping a little more than a year before analog broadcasts shutdown in 2009 in favor of all-digital broadcasts, which your TV can't pick up if it's not digital—unless you have this digital converter box or one like it. If you don't wanna roll down to Best Buy for a new TV, you can knock $40 off the DTA800 and keep on trucking with your grandma TV. More pictures: More »
digital switchover
FCC Fines Retailers $96,000 For Selling Analog TVs
Radio Shack, HH Gregg, FYE, Fred Meyer Stores, Ultimate Electronics and Boscov's all got smacked with fines totaling almost $100K because they sold analog TVs that were not properly marked with a warning sticker saying that they would basically stop receiving signal (at least, not without a cable box or other kind of assistance) when the digital switchover hits on Feb. 17, 2009. More »
digital switchover
