dtv
Even after the DTV switch, converter-box drama persists. Reader Bob is concerned that his in-laws were oversold on a converter box for their brand new TV.
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analogpocalypse
Analog television broadcasts end tonight at 11:59 PM. Are you ready? Are you tired of hearing about this yet? If you've put off buying a digital converter box, or you want to use the transition as an excuse to buy a shiny new TV,
Consumer Reports is here to show you how to choose the awesomest model you can find.
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bad deals
Matthew emailed us with an interesting link to a Meritline offer that he says is making the rounds on deal sites. The Airlink digital-to-analog converter box is a fairly generic offer, but
Meritline is offering a free HDMI cable with it. The only problem is, there's no place on the box to use the cable. If you just see "free HDMI cable" and don't read the specs closely, you'll be in for a rotten surprise when the box arrives. But hey, free cable.
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digital tv transition
The WSJ says that the FCC has sent letters of inquiry to 11
cable companies asking why their customers are paying the same amount each month, even as the companies move channels to digital cable.
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fines
The FCC handed out a whole basketful of fines to electronics retailers today: $1.1 million for Sears and Kmart; $992,000 for Wal-Mart; $712,000 for Circuit City; and amounts between $168,000-384,000 for Target,
Best Buy, CompUSA, and Fry's Electronics. What made Christmas come so early? They were all
failing to warn consumers that analog-only TVs and tuners will stop working on their own when the digital switchover comes next year.
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tv
Well, at least he's being honest—Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson announced at CES today that the
2009 switchover from analog to digital television (still a year away) poses "one of the biggest risks our industry has," whatever that means. "The number of converter boxes that is going to be required could put tremendous pressure on us." Oh, you mean because you'll have to have them in stock? Interpretation: if you're going to need a converter box or two, you'd better plan on buying them elsewhere.
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shutdowns
The analog-to-digital TV revolution is still a year off, but the country's oldest cellular network will be shut down in February. Wired and Associated Press provide
the following list of what kinds of items will be affected.
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badvertising
Cablevision is trying to
scare consumers into signing up for basic cable service ahead of the planned transition to digital television. After February 17, 2009, consumers will need a $60 converter box to receive television signals over-the-air. The transition to digital will significantly improve the quality of over-the-air television, but that isn't stopping Cablevision from funding a scare-mongering campaign to rustle up new business.
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analog to digital
In 2009, broadcast channels are going to switch over to digital, freeing up a large swath of bandwidth that will be sold to the highest bidder. At that point, says the FCC, cable companies
were going to drop broadcast networks from
analog cable.
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bye bye bunny ears
The FCC will require retailers to warn consumers that certain television models will not work without additional equipment after the
conversion to digital television in early 2009. The FCC nicely asked retailers to help educate the public, but concluded that voluntary efforts are "not working."
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technology
Do you have an analog phone? No, not you. That guy over there with the Betamax. You do? Well, you should just accept that time and technology marches forward and upgrade your phone. The old analog system is going bye-bye next year, and
Cingular is charging you $5 a month for no reason other than you still have an old crappy phone. Should they do this? Probably not. But they are.
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government
Early in 2009, regular old analog
TV will go off the air forever, replaced by new special digital tv. If you didn't know this, you're not the only one. From the AP:
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acura
Reader Charlie writes in with a complaint about Acura and OnStar. Charlie has a 2003 Acura TL that came equipped with OnStar. Usually he renews for 2 years at a time, but this time something was wrong. OnStar wouldn't let him renew because his Acura had an analog OnStar system, and due to a FCC ruling, the wireless carriers that provide service to OnStar will no longer be required to maintain analog networks.
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Consumerist
fines
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, half of US homes already have digital televisions. If you're not one of them, you've got a year to switch—or make sure you hit up this site next Tuesday to get a coupon for a converter. [InformationWeek]
obsolescence
