Now's the time for a congregational sigh of relief. After the DTV transition was postponed from February 17th to June 12th, several millions of Americans waited impatiently for government funding to get their $40 converter-box coupons. Now our reliable Congress has approved another $650 million for the program, and the 4.1 million-deep waiting list can begin to flow again. NITA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, plans to eliminate that pending list in a mere three weeks. If you're not already on the waiting list, you had better skedaddle and get on it because who knows if the money poured into this project will dry up again?
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Member since:
2006-01-26
I'm not sure I would call that "postponed"... I mean a large percentage of TV stations went ahead and switched already anyway.
Maybe I should go out and get one of these digital conversion boxes afterall...just so I can sell it on ebay.
The whole coupon thing is stupid.
edit: typo
Edited 2009-03-07 09:16 UTC
Member since:
2005-07-06
I'm a bit confused as to why this coupon scheme exists - surely television isn't considered an "essential public utility" in the US? Why give the general public money to allow them to watch what must be considered an optional service? Here in the UK, the average punter had to buy their own set-top box (now to be found as low as 15 pounds [$21]) to go digital, so this whole US coupon scheme has me scratching my head in bewilderment.
Member since:2006-01-26
Member since:2008-07-15
So am I. Surely, with our economy taking a nosedive into the toilet, there are better uses for that money? Then again, our wonderful government isn't exactly known for spending money wisely, are they? Maybe TV is considered a public service by the government, seeing as how the actual public services are half-hearted at best and nonexistent at worst. It's a public service, it keeps the majority of the public pacified and ignorant. Exactly how our government likes them to be.
Member since:2005-07-06
You think that is bad, look at the 'recovery' stimulus package. No, it isn't a big boost to public infrastructure like establishing a nation wide public transport network, it isn't about rolling out a large broadband network where ISP's can lease access and resell to end users as with the case of power in New Zealand. Nope, look at the billions spent on pork that does nothing to improve the current situation.
What is even worse is look at the money spent on 'technology' in schools where kids don't even have the basic skills or being taught vital broad ranging knowledge such as world history and geography; heck, there are kids who can't even name the states that are around their own! but don't you worry, both sides of the isle are going to be damn sure that their special interest groups get a cut of the pork.
We're having the same problem in New Zealand with large firms donating money to major political parties - and contra to their claims, they aren't giving money to parties because they happen to believe their philosophical position on individual rights, freedom and the minimalist government.
Edited 2009-03-08 06:41 UTC
Member since:2008-07-15
Member since:
2006-02-15
Here in Finland when we moved to digital transmissions no one got the box for free. Those who couldn't afford to buy it just had to suck it up and be without TV until they could afford it.
A TV isn't an essential item every household must have, so it just makes sense that the government didn't give digi-TV boxes for free. Heck, that money can be used for much more important things, like general healthcare. Gee, the US has very odd way of prioritising things..
Member since:
2007-10-09
I don't know where you live, but of all the eight or so converter boxes I've seen in stores, not a single one is cheaper than $49.99, which means you have to pay at least $10 (or $20) for one even with coupon. And they aren't exactly popular brands either. Not a huge selection, that's all I'm saying. Each store just has one or two at most (and not even the same ones as previously).
Estimates claim up to 15% of people are affected. And remember, it is the government who decided to switch on us. Most tv isn't a public service, but news / weather is important, esp. when hurricane season comes along (although radio helps too).
And just for the record, I don't know why they decided to postpone it to June but then some stations switched anyways, so it's a big mess. Whatever.
Member since:2005-07-06
Who cares - its not an essential service. Jesus Christ I see the line constantly being moved; first it is air conditioning, now television, and there are some claiming that broadband internet is a 'human right' equal to that of 'freedom of speech'. People wondering why the US is going to hell in a hand basket - just look at their priorities!
I'm not too sure about the US of A, but here down in New Zealand where we shag sheep - we have a wonderful device called a 'radio' and from this 'radio' we can hear vital news when required. Maybe the US of A should find out how they can import these wonderful devices called 'radios'.
You realise that many of the stations are going to transition before that date?
Member since:2007-10-09
... is an essential service? I totally agree. ;-)
I see the line constantly being moved; first it is air conditioning, now television, and there are some claiming that broadband internet is a 'human right' equal to that of 'freedom of speech'.
I don't know about a/c, but I do know that 120 F is a bit more than reasonable for the elderly and children. And hey, if you don't like broadband, feel free to go back to dialup (beeeeeep crshshshshshhh). ;-)
People wondering why the US is going to hell in a hand basket - just look at their priorities!
Who to blame? Who to fix it? Nobody is really in charge. It's somewhat chaotic. And nobody can agree on anything. All this to get reduced bandwidth and sell of the extra to the highest bidder.
"Most tv isn't a public service, but news / weather is important, esp. when hurricane season comes along (although radio helps too).
I'm not too sure about the US of A, but here down in New Zealand where we shag sheep - we have a wonderful device called a 'radio' "
That's what I said. But don't pretend that it's the same thing. They are not really equal in content. If they were, nobody'd use a tv at all.
"And just for the record, I don't know why they decided to postpone it to June but then some stations switched anyways, so it's a big mess. Whatever.
You realise that many of the stations are going to transition before that date? "
I thought that's what I said, I guess I didn't phrase it well enough. Yes, I've seen first-hand that some have already switched (although not all). It's a big mess (IMHO) because they couldn't all do it at the same time. But who knows, maybe it's better to halfway do it at first and then the rest later.
Member since:
2005-08-18
Member since:2005-07-06
