Apsattv
24-02-2008, 03:26 AM
From http://www.chronline.com/storylife.php?subaction=showfull&id=1203755447&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2
End of Analog: Local Retailer Sees Consumers Already Showing Interest
In about 30 years on the job, Richard Freeborn has seen a number of changes in the television selection at Central TV in Chehalis.
First, it was phasing out black-and-white sets. Next, it was the decline of antenna and the rise of satellite dishes and cable service.
Now, he’s waiting to see what will happen in about a year when the Congress-mandated all-digital television transition takes place. So are his customers.
“We’ve had a lot of people come in and ask ‘what exactly is going to happen?’” Freeborn said. “I try to answer them as best I can but some of it we don’t know yet.”
What is known is that as of February 17, 2009, television will only be broadcast via a digital signal. Currently, television is available in both digital and analog. The switch to digital-only was prompted by a shortage of frequencies for first responders such as police and fire. When the switch happens next year, the analog spectrum will be given to first responders and any remaining will be auctioned off for certain types of cell phone service, explained Rosemary Kimball, director of media relations for the Federal Communications Commission consumer bureau.
“Both are better uses of the analog spectrum and the digital spectrum is much better for television anyway,” Kimball said.
But the switch will affect those who currently view television from analog sources or on televisions not equipped for digital formats. Consumers who receive only over-the-air television through a television with a HD set should be able to continue to receive free television with the use of an antenna, though they may need to upgrade their antenna. Those who receive free television on an analog set will have to purchase a converter and also possibly update their antenna. And as for those who do not wish to purchase a HD television or a converter?
“On Feb. 17, they won’t be able to view anything. All they’ll see is snow,” Freeborn explained.
Analog televisions should continue to be able to receive satellite or cable services, though it is unsure whether any companies will require a converter of some sort. Game systems, VCRs and DVD players will continue to work as before with analog sets. The Nielson Company estimates about 13 million of the 111.4 million households with television in the U.S. are unprepared for the switch. Another 6 million homes are believed to have at least one television set that is unequipped for the change.
“The change to all-digital broadcasting is the most significant change in the history of television, because unlike other advances such as color, older television sets will no longer be able to receive television signals without a converter,” Eric Rossi, leader of Nielson’s digital transition preparedness team said in a recent news release.
Consumers wanting to know how the HD switch will affect them need to start by identifying whether their television is HD. As of March 1 of last year all television receivers shipped within or into the U.S. needed to contain a digital tuner. Look for phrases on the label such as: integrated digital tuner; or digital receiver built in.” The words DTV, ATSC or HDTV may also be used for the term “digital.” This indicates the set is able to receive HD programming without the need of a receiver. Freeborn cautioned, however, consumers need to know that an HD set only shows the crystal clear HD picture when viewing a free over-the-air HD channel or if the consumer subscribes to paid HD programming.
“A lot of salesmen won’t tell you if you take that set home you’re not automatically going to get HD service,” Freeborn said. “We’ve had people bring back sets and tell us the picture was worse than their old set.”
Televisions labeled “digital monitor,” “HDTV monitor,” “digital ready” or “HDTV ready” may not actually contain a digital tuner or receiver and may need a converter box. Those labeled “analog” or “NTSC” will need a converter box. Freeborn said about two years ago, the televisions in his showroom were split evenly between HD and analog. Last year, the majority of their sets were HD. This season, HD is all you can get. Kimball said at this point almost any electronics retailer’s inventory should be the same.
“If there are any analog sets out there being sold, they’re required to be labeled,” Kimball said.
Converter boxes are already available in some markets to those consumers who wish to ready their analog sets for the changeover. Freeborn said he does not see a huge number of consumers in Lewis County needing the converter boxes next year. As old sets die, most of his customers were already choosing HD sets as early as three years ago. Central TV has applied to carry converter boxes but Freeborn said they are waiting to see what the demand is before they order any.
“It could be like antenna, do we really want to buy some and have them in the back just in case someone wants to buy them?” He said.
For those planning to purchase a converter, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering up to two coupons per household worth $40 toward the purchase of a converter. The average converter box is expected to cost between $50-$70. The application period is now through March 31, 2009 and the coupons are good for 90 days after issue.
But with a year to go, there are still a lot of details to be hammered out with HD, Freeborn said. There is still the issue of what paid television subscription services will offer after the switch over and what converters, if any, they may require of their customers. How much free over-the-air television will be available is also an ongoing issue. The good news is consumers on the fence have time, he said, and he for one isn’t putting pressure on anyone.
“I would say wait until a little closer to then because there’s still a lot we’re finding out,” Freeborn said.
End of Analog: Local Retailer Sees Consumers Already Showing Interest
In about 30 years on the job, Richard Freeborn has seen a number of changes in the television selection at Central TV in Chehalis.
First, it was phasing out black-and-white sets. Next, it was the decline of antenna and the rise of satellite dishes and cable service.
Now, he’s waiting to see what will happen in about a year when the Congress-mandated all-digital television transition takes place. So are his customers.
“We’ve had a lot of people come in and ask ‘what exactly is going to happen?’” Freeborn said. “I try to answer them as best I can but some of it we don’t know yet.”
What is known is that as of February 17, 2009, television will only be broadcast via a digital signal. Currently, television is available in both digital and analog. The switch to digital-only was prompted by a shortage of frequencies for first responders such as police and fire. When the switch happens next year, the analog spectrum will be given to first responders and any remaining will be auctioned off for certain types of cell phone service, explained Rosemary Kimball, director of media relations for the Federal Communications Commission consumer bureau.
“Both are better uses of the analog spectrum and the digital spectrum is much better for television anyway,” Kimball said.
But the switch will affect those who currently view television from analog sources or on televisions not equipped for digital formats. Consumers who receive only over-the-air television through a television with a HD set should be able to continue to receive free television with the use of an antenna, though they may need to upgrade their antenna. Those who receive free television on an analog set will have to purchase a converter and also possibly update their antenna. And as for those who do not wish to purchase a HD television or a converter?
“On Feb. 17, they won’t be able to view anything. All they’ll see is snow,” Freeborn explained.
Analog televisions should continue to be able to receive satellite or cable services, though it is unsure whether any companies will require a converter of some sort. Game systems, VCRs and DVD players will continue to work as before with analog sets. The Nielson Company estimates about 13 million of the 111.4 million households with television in the U.S. are unprepared for the switch. Another 6 million homes are believed to have at least one television set that is unequipped for the change.
“The change to all-digital broadcasting is the most significant change in the history of television, because unlike other advances such as color, older television sets will no longer be able to receive television signals without a converter,” Eric Rossi, leader of Nielson’s digital transition preparedness team said in a recent news release.
Consumers wanting to know how the HD switch will affect them need to start by identifying whether their television is HD. As of March 1 of last year all television receivers shipped within or into the U.S. needed to contain a digital tuner. Look for phrases on the label such as: integrated digital tuner; or digital receiver built in.” The words DTV, ATSC or HDTV may also be used for the term “digital.” This indicates the set is able to receive HD programming without the need of a receiver. Freeborn cautioned, however, consumers need to know that an HD set only shows the crystal clear HD picture when viewing a free over-the-air HD channel or if the consumer subscribes to paid HD programming.
“A lot of salesmen won’t tell you if you take that set home you’re not automatically going to get HD service,” Freeborn said. “We’ve had people bring back sets and tell us the picture was worse than their old set.”
Televisions labeled “digital monitor,” “HDTV monitor,” “digital ready” or “HDTV ready” may not actually contain a digital tuner or receiver and may need a converter box. Those labeled “analog” or “NTSC” will need a converter box. Freeborn said about two years ago, the televisions in his showroom were split evenly between HD and analog. Last year, the majority of their sets were HD. This season, HD is all you can get. Kimball said at this point almost any electronics retailer’s inventory should be the same.
“If there are any analog sets out there being sold, they’re required to be labeled,” Kimball said.
Converter boxes are already available in some markets to those consumers who wish to ready their analog sets for the changeover. Freeborn said he does not see a huge number of consumers in Lewis County needing the converter boxes next year. As old sets die, most of his customers were already choosing HD sets as early as three years ago. Central TV has applied to carry converter boxes but Freeborn said they are waiting to see what the demand is before they order any.
“It could be like antenna, do we really want to buy some and have them in the back just in case someone wants to buy them?” He said.
For those planning to purchase a converter, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is offering up to two coupons per household worth $40 toward the purchase of a converter. The average converter box is expected to cost between $50-$70. The application period is now through March 31, 2009 and the coupons are good for 90 days after issue.
But with a year to go, there are still a lot of details to be hammered out with HD, Freeborn said. There is still the issue of what paid television subscription services will offer after the switch over and what converters, if any, they may require of their customers. How much free over-the-air television will be available is also an ongoing issue. The good news is consumers on the fence have time, he said, and he for one isn’t putting pressure on anyone.
“I would say wait until a little closer to then because there’s still a lot we’re finding out,” Freeborn said.