Support NeoGAF

[jiggle]

from IMDB

Consumers may still prefer to buy analog-only midsize TV sets than those capable of receiving both analog and digital, but the FCC ruled unanimously Thursday that manufacturers won't be able to continue turning them out after March 1 and must reduce the number of analog-only sets they produce to no more than half on July 1 of this year. The ruling affects sets that range from 25 inches to 36 inches. Consumer Electronics Association chief Gary Shapiro expressed disappointment with the FCC's decision, noting that sets with digital tuners cost $200 to $300 more than analog-only sets. He also roundly criticized an FCC proposal to require all TV receivers with screens larger than 13 inches to have digital tuners by Dec. 31, 2006, the date set for TV stations to turn off their analog transmitters if 85 percent of households have the capacity to receive digital transmissions. "You're talking about doubling the price of a [13-inch] TV set," he said.

 

[DarienA]

Are they gonna also buy people digital TV's that can't afford them? I mean wtf....

 

[The Shadow]

Are they gonna also buy people digital TV's that can't afford them? I mean wtf....

TV is a luxury, not a privilege.

 

[karasu]

My new TV should arrive next week. w00h00000!

 

[Cauliflower of Love]

Corporate whores.

 

[WedgeX]

Well, they (being Congress) want to auction off the analog channels to cell companies. So they want to go digital. But they must force people to buy digital sets before they can effectively switch. This also lead to the whole "broadcast flag" situation...which the US Appeals Court was supposed to rule on in either early June or July of this year, but I haven't heard anything yet.

So, blame Congress putting pressure on the FCC for the sake of making some cash, and for the FCC being spineless and not protecting the American consumer (although industries [like the cell industry, tv industry, and hollywood] may prosper somewhat).

 

[MmmBeef]

This also lead to the whole "broadcast flag" situation...which the US Appeals Court was supposed to rule on in either early June or July of this year, but I haven't heard anything yet.

They struck it down.

 

[NotMSRP]

Once we all go digital, will there still be a NTSC or PAL TV format?

 

[DarienA]

TV is a luxury, not a privilege.

But how will we know how good a job our president is doing if we don't see him doing the state of the union?

 

[Phoenix]

While I understand the sentiment behind keeping it slow so that people have a chance to get digital TVs, most people have cable or satellite and their set top box will handle signal conversion. Its only people receiving signal purely over the air that are really impacted by this.

 

[Phoenix]

But how will we know how good a job our president is doing if we don't see him doing the state of the union?

We don't need to see Bush to know how good a job he's doing

 

[Cooper]

But how will we know how good a job our president is doing if we don't see him doing the state of the union?

Radio? Newspaper? Internet? Besides, all true Americans will want to get digital reception so they can watch the State of the Union in glorious HDTV.

 

[xsarien]

Are they gonna also buy people digital TV's that can't afford them? I mean wtf....

You won't need a new TV. Along with the changeover, devices that will step the HD signal down to SD for older TVs will become available. Presumably, they will be cheaper than a new set.

 

[Phoenix]

You won't need a new TV. Along with the changeover, devices that will step the HD signal down to SD for older TVs will become available. Presumably, they will be cheaper than a new set.

And if you've got satellite or cable - they're handling that themselves.

 

[seanoff]

Once we all go digital, will there still be a NTSC or PAL TV format?

I understand there are different broadcast standards, so different tuners. But no difference in the lines like with PAL/SECAM/NTSC.

ATSC in the USA
DVB T in Australia

Euro probably DVB


This is a really good glossary. Pretty much everything u want to know.

http://www.sevendigital.tv/res/pdf/glossary_v6p2.pdf

 

[WedgeX]

They struck it down.

Excellent.

 

[The Faceless Master]

While I understand the sentiment behind keeping it slow so that people have a chance to get digital TVs, most people have cable or satellite and their set top box will handle signal conversion. Its only people receiving signal purely over the air that are really impacted by this.

yeah, but it's those same people who usually can't afford a new tv

 

[mrklaw]

First, it doesn't add $200-$300 on a TV, unless you guys are using some crazy digital broadcasting system. Just whack in a DTT tuner. They are £40 retail including 17.5% sales tax in the UK. America with its purchasing power could get those down to $50 probably. Way less if you build them in.

Secondly, why mandate including digital tuners? Why not just have a Scart socket, or component inputs? Many people that have satellite or cable tuners don't need their TV to have a digital tuner (or an analog one), they just need RGB connectors.


And what are the FCC saying about VCRs?

 

[DDayton]

This will be interesting.

I am waiting to see if the major broadcast networks will step in at the last moment to pressure for the relaxation of this rule... switching to digital-only means cutting off a potentially large number of viewers of broadcast television.

 

[Cooper]

First, it doesn't add $200-$300 on a TV, unless you guys are using some crazy digital broadcasting system. Just whack in a DTT tuner. They are £40 retail including 17.5% sales tax in the UK. America with its purchasing power could get those down to $50 probably. Way less if you build them in.

Our 8VSB receivers are quite different from your (non-HD) COFDM ones. They should come down in price as production goes up, however.

Secondly, why mandate including digital tuners? Why not just have a Scart socket, or component inputs? Many people that have satellite or cable tuners don't need their TV to have a digital tuner (or an analog one), they just need RGB connectors.

Indeed, and the FCC is allowing companies to make pure monitors, i.e. no NTSC or ATSC tuner at all.

And what are the FCC saying about VCRs?

People still buy those? As far as I understand it, any device that has an analog tuner will ultimately need to have a digital tuner, so this would include VCRs.