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New York, 12:56 AM
Wed Nov 25
65 posts in the last 24 hours

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  • posts about #digitalswitchover more →

    First Wave of the Digital TV Switch Hits Today

    Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway

    Obama Wants to Delay Analog TV Shutdown to June 12

    The Analog TV Shutdown Is a Flustercuck of Corporate Money, No One Cares About Consumers

    Digital TV Transition Starts Today in Wilmington, NC: Let's See Who Freaks Out

    Man Mods 51-Year-Old Telly Ahead of Digital Switchover (QOTD: Why?)

    Best Buy Gives FCC the Finger After Selling Analog TVs

    Local Broadcasters Want Mobile Standard: Free TV on Phones and Handhelds (With Ads, That Is)

    Analog to Digital TV Transition: Are We Insensitive To Regular Folks? A Reader Responds

    Digital Converter Boxes Are for Cheap Fogies, Not Sony Customers
  • Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.
    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of Super Sonic Super Sonic
    02/17/09

    In reply to First Wave of the Digital TV Switch Hits Today
    JUST SWITCH ALREADY! You've had over 1 year notice to get a coupon and spend $25 on a DTV converter. If those people are to lazy to do it in a year, pushing back the date 4 months isn't going to do a damned thing but cost taxpayers money.
     Reply
    Super Sonic was starred Super Sonic was unstarred
    Image of ceilingFANBOY ceilingFANBOY
    02/17/09

    @Super Sonic: Actually, a lot of the people that have gotten screwed over are people who weren't lazy. A lot of people had their coupons expire before there were any converter boxes available. My store would literally sell out of a shipment of 40+ converter boxes in about an hour back when the coupons first came out. Many of the people who had their coupons expire didn't have them expire due to laziness, rather, a higher demand than the supply. Had the system been implemented the way it was originally planned, with only non-cable or satellite subscribers being allowed to get coupons and if they had staggered the coupon ship dates better, there wouldn't have been as big of a problem. Also, the 3 month expiration time on the coupons was stupid.
     Reply
    ceilingFANBOY was starred ceilingFANBOY was unstarred
    Image of Jeremy Hardin Jeremy Hardin
    02/17/09

    In reply to First Wave of the Digital TV Switch Hits Today
    If you are still using rabbit ears for your TV Viewing, do you also still watch TV on a black and white set? Get with the times people. If you cannot afford cable, then how did you afford the TV?
     Reply
    Jeremy Hardin was starred Jeremy Hardin was unstarred
    Image of SegamanXero SegamanXero
    02/17/09

    @Jeremy Hardin: I dont have cable, I still use rabit ears...


    check it


    The only thing I wanted from cable is lots of Anime, the only two chanels that peeks my interest was Cartoon Network and The international channel... but they didnt play Anime nonstop... and not to mention I'd have to buy several packages with stuff I don't even care about... except spike TV that channel is okay... but also I don't make that much money, so juggling phone, phone, internet, and TV service is kinda a pain in the ass for me.


    this is how I do it now, I have Verizon DSL (cause I can't get FiOS), I bittorrent any shows I care about that I miss from not having cable, including all the Anime I could ever want. Also I get my pick of any HDTV/SDTV digital programing via my old and crusty rabbit ears (which i might add do a even better job at picking up a digital signal then the cool looking terrestrial HD antenna I was suckered into buying).

     Reply
    SegamanXero was starred SegamanXero was unstarred
    Image of WGPSuicideRun WGPSuicideRun
    02/17/09

    In reply to First Wave of the Digital TV Switch Hits Today
    Just switch already. if your still using rabbit ears theres nothing to watch anyway.
     Reply
    WGPSuicideRun was starred WGPSuicideRun was unstarred
    Image of qbrad qbrad
    02/17/09

    @WGPSuicideRun: The networks may not have lots of fantabulous programming these days, but there are some shows that are quite awesome. 30 Rock, American Dad, House isn't too bad. Etc.

    @Jeremy Hardin: You're a douche. The whole point of television when it was invented was a single investment into some hardware and the programming would be available for free. An excellent business model. Today the fact that Cable can't (and won't) give you full resolution HDTV but rabbit ears can, is enough for me to forgo the garbage that runs rampant on cable networks for the proportionally lesser garbage that happens to be on the Networks.

    Also, cable costs a frikin' fortune where I am, and has constant blips and dropouts - qualities I refuse to pay hard earned money for.
     Reply
    qbrad was starred qbrad was unstarred
    Image of closhedbb closhedbb
    02/17/09

    @qbrad: If you're getting full HD on a set of rabbit ears, then you are receiving a digital signal. This signal will keep broadcasting.


    It's the analog signals that will stop. Analog signals do not carry HD images.

     Reply
    closhedbb was starred closhedbb was unstarred
    Image of SegamanXero SegamanXero
    02/17/09

    @WGPSuicideRun: well I still use rabit ears... only I use them on my HDTV... so I wont be affected as I will still will get a signal, a digital signal.
     Reply
    SegamanXero was starred SegamanXero was unstarred
    Image of qbrad qbrad
    02/17/09

    @closhedbb: I think you and I were already in agreement on this. Or maybe you just felt that you needed to contribute that you understand the transition information as clearly as I do?
     Reply
    qbrad was starred qbrad was unstarred
    Image of strider_mt2k strider_mt2k
    02/17/09

    In reply to First Wave of the Digital TV Switch Hits Today
    TV stopped being a public service a long time ago.


    One of the best books ever written has a "Don't Panic" theme running though it.


    Perhaps today would be a good day to start reading it?

     Reply
    strider_mt2k was starred strider_mt2k was unstarred
    Image of lilaliendog lilaliendog
    02/17/09

    @strider_mt2k: today would also be a good day for some americans to get in shape since some would be able to see their shows ... I myself however have cable so I will continue to be a couch potato and probably take a nap while it rains outside.
     Reply
    lilaliendog was starred lilaliendog was unstarred
    Image of strider_mt2k strider_mt2k
    02/17/09

    @lilaliendog:


    SO SAY WE ALL!!!


    (all with cable)

     Reply
    strider_mt2k was starred strider_mt2k was unstarred
    Image of Lizard_King Lizard_King
    02/17/09

    @strider_mt2k: So, pay a fee for an inferior picture? I don't get it.


    I only watch network TV, only about 4 hours a week. Cable is not superior.

     Reply
    Lizard_King was starred Lizard_King was unstarred
    Image of strider_mt2k strider_mt2k
    02/17/09

    @Lizard_King: Hey you!


    Get off of my cloud!

     Reply
    strider_mt2k was starred strider_mt2k was unstarred
    Image of Jrsy Devil's Advocate® Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
    02/17/09

    @strider_mt2k: "TV stopped being a public service a long time ago."


    Agreed. It's more like a public nuisance...

     Reply
    Jrsy Devil's Advocate® was starred Jrsy Devil's Advocate® was unstarred
    Image of ceilingFANBOY ceilingFANBOY
    02/17/09

    @strider_mt2k: It's just too bad that I don't read anything longer than 42 pages anymore.
     Reply
    ceilingFANBOY was starred ceilingFANBOY was unstarred
    Image of OMG! Ponies! OMG! Ponies!
    02/11/09

    In reply to Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
    It's easy to sit here and mock those who haven't switched and say "this won't affect us".


    And then, Grandpa and Nana will call you at 2AM (because they don't understand time zones) asking why their TV is broken.


    As you can see, it affects us all.

     Reply
    OMG! Ponies! was starred OMG! Ponies! was unstarred
    Image of OMG! Ponies! OMG! Ponies!
    02/11/09

    In reply to Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
    Change We Can Broadcast


    Yes We Can (switch over to a broadcasting format that frees up wide swathes of spectrum for other use)


    The Audacity of Converting To Digital

     Reply
    OMG! Ponies! was starred OMG! Ponies! was unstarred
    Image of Tom_Crisis Tom_Crisis
    02/10/09

    In reply to Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
    I hope there's chaos in the streets! Then I can turn off the TV, spin my chair around, and watch out the window.
     Reply
    Tom_Crisis was starred Tom_Crisis was unstarred
    Image of Monty Monty
    02/11/09

    @Tom_Crisis: See - I knew there were people still watching programs in analog.
     Reply
    Monty was starred Monty was unstarred
    Image of Shamoononon: I shave my legs. Shamoononon: I shave my legs.
    02/10/09

    In reply to Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
    Dual, you procrastinating Dems!
     Reply
    Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was starred Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was unstarred
    Image of Monty Monty
    02/11/09

    @Shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog: Nice trophy case.
     Reply
    Monty was starred Monty was unstarred
    Image of John Blair John Blair
    02/10/09

    In reply to Screw June 12: 40 Percent of TV Stations Will Abandon Analog Next Week Anyway
    I'll bet its going to be even higher than that once the dominoes start to fall, and stations realize there's zero incentive for them to keep broadcasting in analog.
     Reply
    John Blair was starred John Blair was unstarred
    Image of Benjie Newman Benjie Newman
    02/10/09

    @John Blair:


    There are reasons to both switch now and to wait.
    Here in our local market some will be switching, but the station I work for will not be. The fact remains that there are people that still only use antenna and don't have a converter box. We will be staying the course until June, and possibly get a few more ratings in the upcoming sweeps period. Sure it won't be much of a difference, but at least it could be something...

     Reply
    Benjie Newman was starred Benjie Newman was unstarred
    Image of hendu hendu
    02/11/09

    @Benjie Newman:

    Really?

    Who?

    I don't know anyone or even know anyone who knows someone who still uses an antenna that has not switched. The benefit from the digital broadcast was so much superior that everyone that I know has switched by now.
     Reply
    hendu was starred hendu was unstarred
    Image of Monty Monty
    02/11/09

    @hendu: We use an antenna for one TV in our house. Yes, we have a converter box, but it is not as unusual as you think. Plus, given the nature of the economy, there may be a bunch of people switching back to over-the-air signals in the months ahead.
     Reply
    Monty was starred Monty was unstarred
    Image of mopo mopo
    01/16/09

    In reply to Obama Wants to Delay Analog TV Shutdown to June 12
    If you can't afford cable/fios/direct tv or whatever, maybe you should not have a tv.
     Reply
    mopo was starred mopo was unstarred
    Image of Cordfucious of Tech Clan Cordfucious of Tech Clan
    01/16/09

    @mopo: its nice to live in a box isnt it
     Reply
    Cordfucious of Tech Clan was starred Cordfucious of Tech Clan was unstarred
    Image of choptop choptop
    01/16/09

    In reply to Obama Wants to Delay Analog TV Shutdown to June 12
    Who cares? Does anyone that reads this site own, or even remember owning, a tv w/ an analog connection?
     Reply
    choptop was starred choptop was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @choptop: I have an analog connection from a digital source.
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of Shamoononon: I shave my legs. Shamoononon: I shave my legs.
    01/16/09

    @choptop: Sure, I didn't have cable until about the age of 15-16.
     Reply
    Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was starred Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @Shamoononon has hebetudinous dog ★★★★★: Please tell me you tried at least once or twice turning the UHF dial to 30 when friends said Nickleodeon was on channel 30 prior to getting cable, and being dissapointed.
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of Shamoononon: I shave my legs. Shamoononon: I shave my legs.
    01/16/09

    @FishAroundMyAnkles_GitEmSteveD...: I don't recall ever getting more than 3 or 4 channels. I doubt I knew what Nickelodeon was, lol.
     Reply
    Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was starred Shamoononon: I shave my legs. was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @Shamoononon has hebetudinous dog ★★★★★: That brings a tear to my eye.


    @ezman: Yes, I remember trying to play off like I saw shows that I didn't get on my TV. damn peer pressure.

     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    In reply to Obama Wants to Delay Analog TV Shutdown to June 12
    How about we divert some of the "State of Emergency" funds for the Inauguration, and put them into the DTV switch program. I mean, in '05, everyone was telling Bush that spending 40 million while there was a war on and after a Tsunami was heartless and just tacky. But 200 million during a recession and financial collapse is OK?
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of godwhacker, your incandescent leader! godwhacker, your incandescent leader!
    01/16/09

    @FishAroundMyAnkles_GitEmSteveD...:


    of course it's ok to send the dough!! the Beloved New Leader says so!!


    by the way, are you anywhere close to the ocean? i was thinking that we need someone to check to see if the ocean begins to recede on 1-21-09

     Reply
    godwhacker, your incandescent leader! was starred godwhacker, your incandescent leader! was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @godwhacker: We saw it yesterday. I'm waiting for the photo where we see Barack's outline in the clouds, with his "kind eyes", and his powerful hands gently placing that plane in the water. He then imbued the plane with his ability to walk on water, and allowed it to float until everyone was rescued. From what I understand, had the people tried to walk to shore, and their faith was strong, they could have.
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of wasting_company_time wasting_company_time
    01/16/09

    In reply to Obama Wants to Delay Analog TV Shutdown to June 12
    I agree. My parents are 60 and understand (finally) what is happening. There was confusion of buying a box even though they have fios, but we cleared that up.


    Don't change it...

     Reply
    wasting_company_time was starred wasting_company_time was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @wasting_company_time: Yay FiOS!
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of wasting_company_time wasting_company_time
    01/16/09

    @There'sAManOnTheWing!_GitEmSteveDave: I know! I wish I could get it at my house and ditch comcast. I live in a city too and my parents live in a crappy little place.
     Reply
    wasting_company_time was starred wasting_company_time was unstarred
    Image of GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
    01/16/09

    @wasting_company_time: Yeah, but then you have to deal with them trying to get you back. They get real desperate, like what they did w/me:[consumerist.com]
     Reply
    GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was starred GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag was unstarred
    Image of Monty Monty
    01/15/09

    In reply to The Analog TV Shutdown Is a Flustercuck of Corporate Money, No One Cares About Consumers
    I think all stations should shut off and then turn on analog broadcasting every 100 milliseconds. Technically, they are still broadcasting on analog, but anyone who is watching the over-the-air NTSC will have a stroke. Perfect solution.
     Reply
    Monty was starred Monty was unstarred
    Image of Tony Bullard Tony Bullard
    01/15/09

    In reply to The Analog TV Shutdown Is a Flustercuck of Corporate Money, No One Cares About Consumers
    I'll tell you why this is a big deal: Advertising. Advertisers don't want to pay money if they think half the nation won't be able to see their ads. And it always comes down to advertisers.
     Reply
    Tony Bullard was starred Tony Bullard was unstarred
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