Dave Lampstein 6 Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 There is still a huge misconception on TVNT that the 2/09 switch means that on that date (or by then) every single local newscast will be in high definition. What will happen on that date is that analog broadcasting will end and television stations will be required to exclusively broadcast a digital signal. This is a transmission/technical change, not a presentation mandate. This means that if you recieve television broadcasts in your house via an antenna, you will need to have a digital television/reciever. So why are so many stations launching high definition newscasts? It's the next step. It's like switching from black and white to color. The technology is there and those that can afford it take advantage of it. More and more broadcast equipment companies are producing afforable high definition solutions. Hopefully now you will not be surprised when you flip on your favorite station in February 2009 and discover their newscasts or your favorite program are not yet in high definition. It may happen someday, but it is not required to happen by the FCC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Sadly, it is a common misconception for several reasons: 1) stations are misreading script and announcing the hd instead of digital switch, 2) sales of hd tvs, 3) placing fear that come 2009 people may not have a tv signal if they don't have an hd set, 4) analog vs. digital or hd cable (which is totally unrelated), and others. If a person wants to buy an hd tv set, by all means, do so. If you just want to get the channels you have now (without cable or sat) then get a converter. If you want no changes at all, get cable or sat. It is that simple. People are making a bunch of crap out of hype - like Y2K, global warming, etc. It is not high math. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWSBfan 0 Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Sadly' date=' it is a common misconception for several reasons: 1) stations are misreading script and announcing the hd instead of digital switch, 2) sales of hd tvs, 3) placing fear that come 2009 people may not have a tv signal if they don't have an hd set, 4) analog vs. digital or hd cable (which is totally unrelated), and others.[/quote'] The reason for #3 are these TV commercials, thet make people think that they will not have an signal unless they have that digital cable box. People don't realize that if they have cable, nothing is going to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Lampstein 6 Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 The reason for #3 are these TV commercials, thet make people think that they will not have an signal unless they have that digital cable box. People don't realize that if they have cable, nothing is going to change. This is a good point. I have DirecTV and they have run a few spots of their own saying viewers don't need to worry unless they pick up their locals with an antenna, but with so many local markets/channels now available on DirecTV (and in HD), it's not really much of a problem. We are somewhat screwed here in Milwaukee as the lovely folks at Weigel Broadcasting, who own WDJT, cannot seem to come to an agreement with DirecTV over getting high definition CBS programming onto their DirecTV lineup. Weigel wants DirecTV to carry not only WDJT, but independent WMLW and WYTU (Telemundo), the other two stations they own here in town for free. So far DirecTV airs WMLW, but has not picked up WYTU yet... they instead offer a Telefutura station out of Chicago. I'm not missing out on much because the one show I watch on CBS isn't even in HD yet anyway, but it is irritating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 The reason for #3 are these TV commercials, thet make people think that they will not have an signal unless they have that digital cable box. People don't realize that if they have cable, nothing is going to change. the type of service from a cable company is not an issue. The digital boxes are still not necessary. Read: http://broadcastengineering.com/hdtv/broadcasting_unintended_consequences/index.html While it is not the article I was trying to remember reading, it is close enough. It mentions tvs not connected to a pay service. - not a digital cable box. The service level one pays for from a provider is not in question. The fact it is connected to a cable or sat, is enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 another thread from a previous issue--- http://broadcastengineering.com/news/americans_confused_dtv_transition/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Finally - from November BE===== he new rules will require cable operators to provide the digital signal of local TV stations to their analog subscribers in an analog format. Alternatively, the signals may be provided in just the digital format, but only if all subscribers have the necessary equipment to view digital signals. The FCC also affirmed that cable operators must carry HD broadcast signals without material degradation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 593 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Trying to put it as simple as I can... if anyone could elaborate on it, I'd appreciate it... *If you have a TV made in the past 2-3 years, it may already have a digital tuner built in. The FCC has mandated that TVs, depending on screen size, must have a digital tuner built in. If you went out and bought a normal CRT TV today, you won't need a converter box. Also keep in mind that if you have an older HDTV, you may need to get an HD receiver to get OTA digital broadcasts in HD. Refer to your TV's owner's manual for more information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 593 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Another thing, maybe this is just me... When a station is launching local newscasts in HD, people refer to it as "WAAK is going HD"... we know what you mean, but when the station is "going HD" it could mean they have the ability to show programming (like network and syndicated) in HD. Actually, from a technical standpoint, your station can be in HD and not show anything in HD at all. That's the case with our local independent station, WSKY (they did start showing Tides baseball games in 16x9 SD with HD graphics though... they also have sidebars in HD with a "4HD" bug). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib-td 1 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Trying to put it as simple as I can... if anyone could elaborate on it, I'd appreciate it... *If you have a TV made in the past 2-3 years, it may already have a digital tuner built in. The FCC has mandated that TVs, depending on screen size, must have a digital tuner built in. If you went out and bought a normal CRT TV today, you won't need a converter box. Also keep in mind that if you have an older HDTV, you may need to get an HD receiver to get OTA digital broadcasts in HD. Refer to your TV's owner's manual for more information. no that pretty well shows what has been said many times already. But--- someone is coming to mind which will possibly say that a group of people, oh, somewhere that will still not get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Lampstein 6 Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 "I have hair here, but not here.. is it still right for me?" (I don't know why, but this reminds me of that.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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