Gizmodo: dtv transition

Goodbye, Analog Static

matt buchanan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.With the DTV transition happening today and analog broadcasting going away, what happens to this classic static that greeted you on every channel that wasn't there to remind you to keep flipping? [YouTube]

Our DTV Transition Flowchart

Jason Chen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EDT

This is our DTV transition flowchart, inspired by the Consumerist.

Does Your TV Still Work?

Sean Fallon — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT

In case you have been oblivious to the endless warnings and apocalyptic terror of those who fear they will live in a world without television, the DTV transition is happening today. So I have to ask, does your TV still work?

If you or someone you know was unprepared for the switch, HDGuru has put together a list of last minute tips that can help get the TV back up and running.

Poll results: Do You Have a Surround Sound Setup?

•Yes, I have a home theater in a box setup. 29%
•Yes, I have a full system that I pieced together with separate components. 47%
•Sort of. I have a virtual surround system with no rear speakers. 4%
•Yes, I bought a full system, but did not hook up the rear speakers. 3%
•No, I do not have a surround sound system. 16%

[Image via Getty Images]

Reminder: DTV Transition Is Today, June 12th

Dan Nosowitz — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:00:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Hey, Grandma, ready for the transition to the digiterized picture-box? We certainly hope so: Today, June 12th, we'll all be moving over to digital television and discarding the rabbit ears forever. Well, the few of us who need to, anyway.

It's been a long road, paved with delays, misunderstandings, and altercations with the rare Hawaiian dark-rumped petrel. We'd love to hear your experiences: Has anybody actually tried it out? Good experiences? Bad? Let us know in the comments. [DTV]

70-Year Old Man Shoots TV, Engages in Standoff With Police Over DTV Transition

Sean Fallon — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:28:08 EST

Angered and distraught over the analog TV shutdown, a 70-year old Missouri man blew away his TV and engaged in a brief standoff with police when he could not get his converter box to work.

Surprised? You shouldn't be. Violence like this was inevitable. All it takes is mixing one part old man with one part technology, one part handgun and two parts alcohol. Then shake vigorously with an absence of Wheel of Fortune. [KSDK and Kare 11 via Fark]

Obama Officially Delays Analog Broadcast Shutdown to June 12

matt buchanan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:24:21 EST

Obama signed the piece of paper that officially delays the digital TV transition until June 12, even though many stations are turning off analog next week anyway (here's a list, thanks Ponies). [Broadcasting & Cable]

New DTV Transition Date May Result Converter Box Shortage

Sean Fallon — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:20:00 EST

Not surprisingly, shifting the DTV transition date to June 12th could mean that converter boxes will run out.

Many manufactures stopped making the devices in January, expecting the demand to peak around the original Feb. 17th shutoff date. Therefore, the extension kind of leaves them with their pants down—so to speak.

The trade association estimates U.S. retailers have 3 million to 6 million boxes at hand.

"The worst case is that there are only 3 million boxes," Petricone said. "Retailers would then run out of inventory by the end of February."

Throw that on top of a huge waiting list of 3.7 million rebate coupons, and you have yourself a powder keg of problems. The stimulus package that is currently in the works could help diffuse the situation to a degree, but the bottom line is that this is never going to go down without people being left out in the lurch. They should have just pulled the trigger on it this month and got it over with. [Physorg and Getty Images Photo]

DTV Switchover Screwing Spanish-Speaking Viewers

Sean Fallon — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:20:00 EST

Spanish-speaking viewers are finding the DTV transition to be particularly difficult because their favorite stations have either switched to digital or are too low power to be viewed outside of analog.

Low-power stations are not required by the FCC to make the switch to digital on Feb. 17th, so viewers who want to continue watching all of their programing need a converter that can handle both digital and analog signals. Based on cost factors and confusion, in the end most viewers will probably end up buying a standard digital converter box with their government coupons and saying goodbye to their favorite analog channels—which puts the future of those stations in jeopardy. [Dallas News and Getty Images Photo]