Where is the initaitive?

[SteamWake]

After seeing the commercials, print ads, and other 'warnings' for months on end for at least a year now...

Congress votes to delay switch to 'digital' TV

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...tv-transition/

WTF is a 4 month delay supposed to accomplish?

(Hey look no mention of Obama )

[August]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

After seeing the commercials, print ads, and other 'warnings' for months on end for at least a year now...

Congress votes to delay switch to 'digital' TV

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...tv-transition/

WTF is a 4 month delay supposed to accomplish?

(Hey look no mention of Obama )

Well first when people see the downsides of broadcast digital they are going to be irritated but the main reason for the delay was in the article:

...Commerce Department hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for government coupons that consumers may use to help pay for digital TV converter boxes. The boxes, which generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon, translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs.The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department administering the program, is now sending out new coupons only as older, unredeemed ones expire and free up more money. The NTIA had nearly 2.6 million coupon requests on a waiting list as of last Wednesday.

[SteamWake]

I still dont get why the goverment should be involved in 'helping' people upgrading their entertainment system(s).

Sure you can make an argument "Well they need to be 'in touch' in an emergency". As far as I know radios still work.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I still dont get why the goverment should be involved in 'helping' people upgrading their entertainment system(s).

Sure you can make an argument "Well they need to be 'in touch' in an emergency". As far as I know radios still work.

Man, you are a tough one Steam. Has it occurred to you that perhaps the elderly who are on fixed incomes eating very little because they can not afford much that a 42 inch plasma TV with cable is just not in the cards? It was extended 4 months for the elderly and those who are having trouble getting the money together even with the coupon with the discount. We can at least give them the 3 snowy channels they watch.

[SteamWake]

Some things are more important than 'whats on TV'. How about helping this poor guy out?

WW2 vet freezes to death after city cuts his power because of non payment.

http://www.wnem.com/news/18566890/detail.html

Also there is this nagging deficit... :hmm:

Im sorry I dont see the federal goverment getting involved with citizens Television.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Some things are more important than 'whats on TV'. How about helping this poor guy out?

WW2 vet freezes to death after city cuts his power because of non payment.

http://www.wnem.com/news/18566890/detail.html

Also there is this nagging deficit... :hmm:

Im sorry I dont see the federal goverment getting involved with citizens Television.

I did see this and it is a shame. They guy owed like $1000.00. Come on, give me a break. The company said they were in their legal rights. This was far and beyond a legal right. We have not heard the end of this one.

To be honest Steam, I'm not sure why the Fed is involved with the TV deal. Is it possible they initiated the change over and felt compelled to assist those that would need help?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Is it possible they initiated the change over and felt compelled to assist those that would need help?

"Felt compelled"... indeed, appealing to their base, whom evidently are un-able to tie their shoes without goverment help.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

"Felt compelled"... indeed, appealing to their base, whom evidently are un-able to tie their shoes without goverment help.

Well, the coupons are obviously targeted to the lower income. But, why have a change over to all digital anyway? What is there to gain?

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Well, the coupons are obviously targeted to the lower income. But, why have a change over to all digital anyway? What is there to gain?

Ah Ha ! Now we get to the point...

That one is easy to answer... to sell new hardware of course.

Yes better picture better sound but to take full advantage you will need a new reciever and monitor.

In short to stimulate the economy in a round about sort of way. Too bad most of the products are comming from Korea, China, etc.

So there you have it, in delaying the change they are inderectly hampering the economic recovery.

[AVGWarhawk]

Is that really the driving force to all of this? Seems a bit far fetched to me. I have to check this out.

Here we go:

The committee is readying legislation expected this year that would require all American televisions to run on digital signals by the end of 2008. That would free up the analog, or 700 MHz, spectrum for other uses such as broadband services and communications for emergency workers.

[Enigma]

Far fetched. Such a nice way to put it.....The government is handing out coupons to help consumers pay for the converter boxes. Seems selling Japanese components has nothing to do with it.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 requires television stations to turn off their analog channels.

Also...

Analog TV signals use the 700MHz frequency band, meaning that by nature, they travel farther than those on bands used by the wireless and electronics industries today. Reusing that spectrum could mean easier and cheaper deployment of broadband networks--and translate to more affordable, widespread high-speed Internet access for consumers.

Amongst other stuff....Including freeing up valuable pieces of the wireless spectrum to be used for interoperable emergency-response networks.

[August]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

We can at least give them the 3 snowy channels they watch.

Which I will guarantee will be preferable to the freezes, pixillation and sound cut outs they'll get with broadcast digital.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Far fetched. Such a nice way to put it.....The government is handing out coupons to help consumers pay for the converter boxes. Seems selling Japanese components has nothing to do with it.

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 requires television stations to turn off their analog channels.

Also...

Amongst other stuff....Including freeing up valuable pieces of the wireless spectrum to be used for interoperable emergency-response networks.

Ah, post 10 of mine showing a quote that is basically if not the same as you have here. What is your point?

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by August

Which I will guarantee will be preferable to the freezes, pixillation and sound cut outs they'll get with broadcast digital.

Yes, I loved the old days with my rabbit ears and tin foil wrapped around them.

[Enigma]

Ah, post 10 of mine showing a quote that is basically if not the same as you have here. What is your point?

That it isn't about economic recovery.