As Neowin had previously reported about the DTV switch on February 17, 2009, 491 stations will end broadcast of their analog signal today at 11:59pm. More stations are due to end their signal, up to 641 stations across America will do so this week or have already ended their broadcast.President Barack Obama has asked that more than 100 stations delay until the new cut off date of June 12, 2009 so that American viewers still not fully converted will not lose all their favorite stations.
It is still unclear how many homes are still not ready to handle the switch over from analog to a digital signal, requiring consumers to purchase a new TV or upgrade their existing one to include a digital converter box. An estimate 5.8 million people (5.1 percent of America) have not converted or do not know about the change over, even with previous warnings across TV broadcasts.
As of tomorrow morning, some Americans will officially be in the dark on their favourite stations as their analog signal will fail to broadcast.
"Wuh, wuh, wuh, period..."
WHY DID THEY CHANGE?!!!
I wonder how many people like me discovered they don't have a VHF ready antenna. My Terk TV5 is supposed to pick up VHF. But it isn't. Fortunately most channels are staying on UHF. Except the local one. So they are getting a tons of complaints with people and bad antenna's. I've got a $55 Tivax box. Everything ran fine up until the switch at 1pm cst. then dead black silence.
They did a write up in my local paper yesterday regarding the switch and a hotline was put up during a news cast where 200+ people called in and didn't even know about it. Jeez!
Unless you never go to the store, read the paper, go online, watch TV, or listen to the radio, it has to be hard to miss.
I say for those that haven't gotten the boxes that should have (those that don't have cable/sat), they will be frustrated when they are suddenly sold out in a few days time.
seems rabbit ears are able to pick it up compared to amplified antennas. Had someone tell me just pull the old rabbit ears out. Threw those out ages ago.
Digital receivers have been out for at least 10 years.
Problem we have though, still why something has not been done, is, there are still holes in the
coverage area.
Though some regions such as Borders, West Country and Wales started in 2008 and should be finishing before the second half of 2009.
The analog frequencies from other broadcast towers can still be sought.
I hope as soon as digital is nationwide, they get rid of the poxy TV licence as the BBC advertise a lot on their digital channels.
Digital receivers have been out for at least 10 years.
Problem we have though, still why something has not been done, is, there are still holes in the
coverage area.
Though some regions such as Borders, West Country and Wales started in 2008 and should be finishing before the second half of 2009.
The analog frequencies from other broadcast towers can still be sought.
I hope as soon as digital is nationwide, they get rid of the poxy TV licence as the BBC advertise a lot on their digital channels.
Get rid of the tv licence?
It's a licence to recieve
Its their ( partly to make money for the government ) and to fund the BBCs mundane attempts at having ad free tv ( which is not optional )
The amount used to enforce it makes it a further joke only needed because an increasingly overwhelming majority would support it being scrapped.
Unplugged, I would gladly pay the license fee so that I don't get crappie advert breaks every 15 minutes.
Leesmithg, The BBC don't advertise. I don't know what channels you are watching but I have never seen an ad break on a BBC programme.
The BBC do have idents between programming to bring attention to their own shows but they do not interfere with programmes, or programme schedule.
I personally find that the BBC have some of the best output on TV, Hustle, Spooks, TopGear, Dr Who, Planet Earth etc. I would hate to see the license fee go, and see the BBC turn into another iTV.
I'd gladly pay the licence fee so that never happens. ITV has no programmes worth watching. ITV is as bad as five now.
"President Brarack Obama has asked that more than 100 stations delay until the new cut off date of June 12, 2009 so that American viewers still not fully converted will lose all their favorite stations."
"President Brarack Obama has asked that more than 100 stations delay until the new cut off date of June 12, 2009 so that American viewers still not fully converted will lose all their favorite stations."
not just you...
"President Brarack Obama has asked that more than 100 stations delay until the new cut off date of June 12, 2009 so that American viewers still not fully converted will lose all their favorite stations."
Just you. Obama has asked some stations to delay cutting off analog (even though they are free to do so) so people who haven't switched won't lose all their stations while they purchase a converter box. Companies are free to stop analog anywhere between Feb 17 and June 12 2009.
What you wrote there is different to what it says in the article.
NGPixel misquoted the article, it says "will NOT".
A delay in the switch will not change anything.
That's how stupid the idiots behind the delay sounded; seriously. One congress critter actually said it would be a catastrophe.
All stations can turn off analog with last video showing invasion of aliens. Then boom! All signals are gone.
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