Miss-Delectable
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- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
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Democrat & Chronicle: Essays
In response to Chuck Samuels' Speaking Out essay (Aug. 1) titled "Just get a converter box for old televisions in 2009":
The information he provides on how TV reception will work after the changeover from analog to digital on Feb. 17, 2009 is clear and concise, but he overlooked a very large and important segment of the TV viewing audience — the many people with hearing loss living in this area who rely on captioning to know what is being said.
For some, buying a set-top converter box may be the answer.
However, a big problem may be looming for viewers with hearing loss who rely on captioning. If the set-top converter boxes are not manufactured to pass through the captions, mandated by the Federal Communication Commission, these converter boxes will be a waste of money.
There has been no reassurance from the manufacturers that these converter boxes will be made to pass through the closed captioning. To completely ignore the needs of so many of us who rely on captions to keep abreast of the news of the day, and for our entertainment, is unforgivable.
I urge everyone to demand that these converter boxes be manufactured so that they can pass through captions. Contact the National Telecommunications and Information Administration — the agency handling the coupon information and outreach program — to ask if the set-top box will pass through the captions that we rely on. Its email is couponinfo@ntia.doc.gov.
In response to Chuck Samuels' Speaking Out essay (Aug. 1) titled "Just get a converter box for old televisions in 2009":
The information he provides on how TV reception will work after the changeover from analog to digital on Feb. 17, 2009 is clear and concise, but he overlooked a very large and important segment of the TV viewing audience — the many people with hearing loss living in this area who rely on captioning to know what is being said.
For some, buying a set-top converter box may be the answer.
However, a big problem may be looming for viewers with hearing loss who rely on captioning. If the set-top converter boxes are not manufactured to pass through the captions, mandated by the Federal Communication Commission, these converter boxes will be a waste of money.
There has been no reassurance from the manufacturers that these converter boxes will be made to pass through the closed captioning. To completely ignore the needs of so many of us who rely on captions to keep abreast of the news of the day, and for our entertainment, is unforgivable.
I urge everyone to demand that these converter boxes be manufactured so that they can pass through captions. Contact the National Telecommunications and Information Administration — the agency handling the coupon information and outreach program — to ask if the set-top box will pass through the captions that we rely on. Its email is couponinfo@ntia.doc.gov.
