Gizmodo: digital transition

DIY List Breathes New Life Into Discarded Analog TVs

Jack Loftus — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EDT

In the wake of the digital TV transition that happened earlier this month, Lifehacker has posited upon us a cool roundup of DIY projects that make use of all those abandoned TVs. [Lifehacker]

Senate Expected to Delay DTV Transition to June 12th on Optional Basis

Mark Wilson — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST

Because there are 1.4 million households on the underfunded digital converter voucher waiting list, the Senate is finalizing a proposal to delay the DTV switchover to June 12th—a bill that's expected to pass unanimously.

The bill (a rewrite of the Obama-supported Sen. Jay Rockefeller plan) doesn't look to provide more funding for DTV vouchers—it's more a slam on the brakes maneuver to buy everyone some time. The most important point about the bill, however, is that it leaves broadcasters the "option" to still make the DTV switch on February 17th.

On one hand, that's the only fair plan that the government could leave broadcasters after forcing them to make major internal technological revisions. On the other, viewers who weren't prepped for February 17th could still lose some (or even all) channels in spite of the formal delay. [WSJ and Getty Images Photo]

FCC Chairman Watches Grandma Parody the Digital Transition, Mouth Agape

Mark Wilson — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:51:21 EST

At the Panasonic's booth, Kevin Martin (right) watches the 'Cable PSA' DTV parody—the YouTube video that skewers how difficult the transition is for seniors—for two minutes without speaking.

We're guessing that he hadn't seen the sketch before and won't be viewing it again. Do you think he got the joke?

DTV Coupon Program Broke, Busted

Sean Fallon — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:40:00 EST

As expected, the DTV coupon program has gone broke—blowing through their $1.34 billion budget well short of the February 17th transition date.

Hopefully, Congress will kick into action and supply more funding—but things are...a little busy over there right now so I wouldn't expect them to jump on it right away. On the plus side, cash from unclaimed vouchers can be applied to new vouchers—which should help cover a portion of those who are late to the party. [DTV 2009 via Ars Technica]

DTV Coupons to Run Out Next Month?

Mark Wilson — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST

The government has been handing out $40 DTV converter coupons left and right—so many, in fact, that they may reach their $1.34-billion budget cap before the transition happens February 17th.

Apparently all of those DTV ads are working, because right now the government is receiving 1.5 million requests for vouchers per week, which is charted to burn out government allocations within the first week of January. Once the $1.34 billion is spent, no more vouchers will be mailed out.

But these vouchers are not quite cash-in-hand. If unclaimed, cash from unspent vouchers can be reassigned to new vouchers (not confusing at all, right?). So there may be hope for those who miss the order window even if the government doesn't appropriate more funds to the project. [Reuters via CEPro]

TV Makers Get Abysmal Grades For E-Waste Recycling Programs

Elaine Chow — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:30:00 EST

With just a few months before the digital TV conversion renders millions of sets obsolete (well, kind of), a group called the Electronics TakeBack Coalition is trying to shame major companies into some e-waste recycling initiative by giving them report card scores. Of all the companies surveyed, the highest score (B-) went to Sony, which launched the first national takeback program in 2007. More than half of everybody else got a big fat F for having absolutely nothing in place.

We've covered how serious the e-waste problem has gotten, especially for countries with less regulations and cheap, desperate labor available for the dangerous profession of e-waste sorting... such as China. TV take-back programs are probably rarer because people tend to replace them at a much slower rate than computers and cellphones, but it can never be too soon to kick start one up—especially at a critical juncture like this one. Check out the site for both the report cards and a guide for recycling your TV when you're ready to upgrade. [Take Back My TV]

(Flickr credit:Kevin Steele)

The Digital Transition is Proceeding Exactly According to Plan

Mark Wilson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:45:00 EST

Everything is fine. Just fine. [Reuters via digg and Getty Images]

Is It Right That the U.S. Government Spends More on the Digital TV Switch Than Literacy Education?

Sean Fallon — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

To be honest, I can't say that I am surprised to hear that the government has allocated $1.5 billion to inform 17 million citizens about the digital TV transition. After all, those uninformed few would undoubtedly take up arms if they missed out on sports broadcasts and NBC's Thursday lineup. However, I was a little surprised to hear that the total proposed budged for literacy education in 2009 stands at a paltry $574.6 million. Once again it seems that our government does not have its priorities in order. That having been said, does this represent a proper allocation of taxpayer money in your opinion? How does broadband access fit into the mix?

[Popular Mechanics]