Dawn of digital-only TV arrives; analog just a static memory

[Foxrac]

(CNN) -- An era ended in American broadcast television early Friday as the nation finished its delayed transition to digital TV.

At a minute past midnight, broadcasters shut down their outdated analog transmitters, leaving static to watch for those who weren't ready.

American TV viewers were given four extra months to get ready for the switch, when Congress voted early this year to delay the digital TV transition.

At that time, an estimated 6.5 million homes -- including many elderly, poor and disabled Americans -- weren't prepared for a February 17 switch to digital, supporters argued.

"In any change this big, there are going to be disruptions," said Michael Copps, the Federal Communications Commission acting chairman. "We are trying our best to provide people, especially those who are most at-risk, with the help they need to make the switch as smoothly as possible. And we're going to keep offering it after June 12, so people should call us at 1-888-CALL-FCC."

People who pay for cable or satellite TV service are unaffected by the change.

Republicans opposed the delay, saying the government had already given people years to prepare.

The end of analog television frees up that part of the broadcast spectrum for other uses.

The federal government raked in $20 billion in auctions by selling licenses for the frequencies vacated by local television stations for other commercial uses. Some of the frequencies also have been reserved for emergency agencies to use for communications.

Stations have been broadcasting in digital and analog for the past several years, but the switch puts an end to the transition and a form of broadcasting that's existed since the first regularly scheduled television service began in the United States in 1928.

Dawn of digital-only TV arrives; analog just a static memory - CNN.com

 

[sara1981]

im using digital cable but i dont think i would get analog cables without knowledges of my mom's but im living North Little Rock,Ar in Pulaski if you lives in states on listing for digital cables as county.

my mom and me using comcast cables but my mom had contract of comcast that why..If you are customer of comcast or whatevers of tv station need approves of digital cables.

IF non-digital cables they can call cables for install

DTV 'Digital Cliffs'
DTV 'Digital Cliffs' - todaysthv.com | KTHV | Little Rock, AR

A new report says more than 70% of American households are ready for the digital television transition but according to new information from Comcast, millions could still be left in the dark come Friday.

"We do expect some disruption on the 12th, but there are steps that people can take to make sure that they don't go without being able to see their favorite programs," said Jay Kreiling, Vice President of Comcast Cable.

For some just getting a converter box, new television or signing up for cable or satellite service will fix the problem. However, for thousands across the state, that may not be enough.


Comcast says people living in areas called "digital cliffs" will be left with no reception and no television picture. THV's Director of Technology Alison Fletcher explains this happens because of proximity to the digital towers.


"The TV transmitters, the majority of them, are located in western Pulaski County on Shinall Mountain and if you live too far from them the signal that hits your antenna might not be strong enough to be over that threshold that makes the picture," said Fletcher.


These dead zones have been identified in North Woodruff, West Jackson, South-West Independence, Central Stone, Searcy, Montgomery and Clark counties and people living any of them could be affected.


If you can't receive a signal with an antenna and a converter box after Friday, your options would be cable or satellite. Fletcher says one the downsides to the digital transition are its all or nothing nature. Either you get a beautiful picture or nothing at all.


"If you do live too far from the transmitters, that would be your only choice really to be able to continue to watch TV if the reception is too weak at your location," she says.


According to the FCC, those who can get the signal should expect improved sound and picture quality, as well as more channels and programs after the switch.


Coupons for converter boxes will be available until July 31st.

To find out how the transition will affect you, visit AntennaWeb. You can also give us a call us at 501-244-4625 or reach the FCC's hotline at 1-888-CALL-FCC

 

[Foxrac]

im using digital cable but i dont think i would get analog cables without knowledges of my mom's but im living North Little Rock,Ar in Pulaski if you lives in states on listing for digital cables as county.

my mom and me using comcast cables but my mom had contract of comcast that why..If you are customer of comcast or whatevers of tv station need approves of digital cables.

IF non-digital cables they can call cables for install

DTV 'Digital Cliffs'
DTV 'Digital Cliffs' - todaysthv.com | KTHV | Little Rock, AR

Analog cable is still in use until 2012, don't confused with analog from over the air or broadcast.

Analog broadcast is already shutdown, it means over the air, not cable.

 

[PowerON]

For ground line, yes, it's still alive for a while. Damnit, die die analog. But that's okay.

I hear people still complain about why there is no analog. Too bad, it's wake-up time for them to know what's going on.

 

[Grummer]

FEAR the New Digital Media, big brother is watching you LOL