Why should the American consumer be forced to pay for the transition from analog to digital TV?
August 18, 2010 by: nickadminLET’S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT TV EVOLUTION:
I am referring to the old “low-tech” household fixture that used to be in the living room for the family’s quality time, entertainment, information, education, and other such beneficial to the family services.
No, I am not talking of today’s “high tech” idiot box that is found in every room of a house and it has been transformed into an exclusive accomplice of commercial advertisements, deception, violence, porn and vulgarity; let alone of being the prime brainwashing agent for the exploitative corporate America as well as for the public’s deception by the two major political parties.
Now, as if this detrimental evolution of an instrument that was for the benefit of the family was not enough, the corporate greed is forcing the American public to convert it into something totally unnecessary for the consumer but a lot more profitable for any and all of those who control and manipulate the nation’s TV industry fields.
In closing, my question is:
Since in my opinion, the digital transformation of this once useful electronic home appliance is nothing more than just a face lift that benefits only the TV corporate America and not at all the public, why should the American consumer be forced to pay for the transition to digital from analog? Why not the real beneficiaries (The TV industry manipulators) pay for it?
Thank you,
N. D. S.
you have to pay for everything these days
It’s a done deal. Get over it! Its been in the works for close to 20 years.
And the cost is a maximum of $20 for the converter box if you get the government coupons, at least if you can still use your regular antenna.
As far as TV being a tool of corporate America, that’s been the case since long before the digital transition.
Well, the government sold the analog frequencies to emergency responders in our cities. So yes, they made money on the transition, but somehow we may all benefit if and when we need emergency services ourselves.
As another poster said, at most it will cost you $20 to utilize the digital spectrum on your old analog tv. Just get the digital converter box, hook up your antenna to it and you can keep using that old tv you love so much.
Just bring your lunch to work for a few days, save up $20, and you’ll be all set.
America is not being forced to do anything. They can either pay for the converter box or do without TV altogether. I don’t see anyone being forced to watch TV.
“…an instrument that was for the benefit of the family ”
That is where your assumption is wrong.
Commercials pay for all of television. It is a vehicle with shows/entertainment that only exist so you can see the advertisments.
You have been getting FREE analog signals since 1949. Now – you are going to get FREE digital signals instead, and the government is helping with the cost of a converter box for older televisions.
And the government is forcing the broadcasters to change, not the other way around (They dont want to have to re-buy).
“Why the conversion?”
We have run out of channels. Cable companies sprang up in the 70’s simply because there was not enough frequency to carry all the new shows (and commercials).
Becuase of technology – you can get 6 digital television channels in the frequency used by 1 analog channel.
So it is better use of the frequency spectrum.
(Your arguments are well phrased by the way. But lacking in knowledg of why things are happening.)
Take this to Y/A’s “Politics & Government” forum, please. This is TV Electronics, where the discussions are centered around technical TV operational and electronics problems, not political ranting.
You are right. The compelling reason for the transition is to conserve space in the airwave bands. Digitial is narrower. There is only so much band space. HOWEVER, I find it disingenuous indeed for them to refer to the need for “emergency services.” Maybe that part of the band is going to emergency services–in part–but what about all the space which is wasted for cellphones?
when the ad says: if you get a good signal now it will be even better with digital, that translates to mean: if your signal is less than optimal you will not receive that station whatsoever with digital.
It is also disingenuous when they say “some sets will no longer be able to receive.” All sets which are not digital will be unable to receive without converter boxes. Or unless you have cable of course but that goes without saying.
I find it disgusting that they are blowing digital tv and the money it takes to buy. Anyone who bolsters their ego on the basis of their possessions–especially electronic possessions–is really pathetic. Maybe they have watched enough TV?
I got a Zenith converter–about the best going–but so far no CBS or NBC. I guess if they want to chase me with their advertising they will have to do something about it because all stations are close.