Theodore's World

WTF? No more CNN or MSNBC? No more ABC, CBS, NBC or PBS liberal broadcasts? No more 'Sex in the City' or 'Desperate Housewives' or 'The View' episodes? No more M-TV or E-Channel or VH-1 or BET raunchy grind dances? Too bad WT! Guess we'll have to go back to reading more books and spending more quality time with one another, eh?
And making MORE conservatives...!

The analog switch-off ruling, which so far has met with little opposition from consumers or manufacturers, would render all non-digital televisions dark and obsolete on the switch-off date, unless connected to an external off the air tuner, analog or digital cable, or a satellite system. The FCC has determined that an external tuning device can simply be added to non-digital televisions to lengthen their useful lifespan. Several of these devices have already been shown, and it is expected that low-cost units will be available in January 2008.[10] At that same time, the U.S. government will take requests from households for up to two coupons to reduce the price of some converter boxes by $40.[11] Currently, even the earliest televisions continue to work with present broadcast standards. This mandate was designed to help provide a painless transition to the new standard.

The government is going to pay for this ? Which mean US are going to pay for this.

That is if you don't have cable and their Digital-Analog converter.

If anyone has/had satilite TV, like NFL Sunday ticket, Snow storms are the worst thing for these Signals. The picture comes in Block form, stops, even slow motion and then go out completely. An error appears on the screen " No Signal"

I am waiting for Hillary to pronounce another tax increase to buy every 'Po' family in America a Digital TV. If this witch gets elected the whole damn country will be in the 'Po' house.

Of course when the government gets involved the price will increase three-fold of what it is really worth, in order to pay for the Bureaucratic nonsense that will surely follow.

The problem I see is in areas that do not have cable but merely Antennas in areas surrounded by mountains. These areas always had trouble with analog signals now with digital the problem will be only worse.

Like Illegal amnesty and the North American Union this too will be shoved down our throats.

we are losing it one freedom at a time.

Why is the Federal Government (congress) getting involved in TV signals? Why don't they mind their own stinking business and let the Free Enterprise system take care of this?

This started in Congress in 1998, wonder who's watch that was on? Think of it like the proposed carbon tax, if you use it you will pay for it.

The airwaves are regulated, all except a very small spectrum and even that is regulated if not enforced. With the new technology the Feds will have total control of all the spectrum to sell to the highest wireless payer.

If you thought eminent domain issues about private property were a bad thing, this is as far reaching. The potential for digital censurship is enormous via filtering programs. PSSST! Don't let Hugo Chavez know about this.

The FCC has always held Amateur radio to a higher standard than any of the other outlets, along with narrow bandwidth constraints, the FCC is quick to fine and to confisticate transcievers for minor violations, because they operate worldwide independently beyond the confines of the studio without vast amounts of payola.

Take away the analog bandwidths and there is more room for the new wireless digital channels. Your cell phone, WIFI, audio and video surveilance by state and local paramilitary functionaries and the evergrowing military spectrums using spread spectrum technology, used for surveilance, remote control or even for spying on the citizenry.

One other fact, almost all talk shows are aired on AM radio, both AM and FM are analog technologies, they too will be gone as soon as the TV switch is implemented. This is another form of suppression of free speech in disguise, gone will be the conservative spokesmen who expose the corrupt and force the citizenry to think for themselves.

Thank you John McCain for your tireless work in this endeavor.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2002/11/56244

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2004-09-21-digital-tv-bill_x.htm

http://mccain.senate.gov/press_office/view_article.cfm?id=32

It's sad that the government has mandated this last form of freedom into the dustbin of history, like that original Marconi spark gap transmitter.

Darth stole my thunder. It might not hurt if all tv broadcasting shut down for a few months. After the initial suicides, maybe the rest of society would wise up and --------, No, won't work.

Ya-know I really get tired of all the nay-saying.
This is no different than Shamnesty, we beat it
once and now the Durbin Dream act was blown out
of the water(ie) Shamnesty#2 Action people, e-mail
and block that white house switch bord every time
some thing like this comes up...As for the old
analog tv band it's not going away,wireless companys are in a bidding war for their share
of the spectrum, T-Mobile spent 4-billion.Analog
covers in-city and has better building penatration

Darth, hahahha yes and actually having conversations.

Mark your right, We had trouble when we lived in the canyons of Malibu, Ca. All those mountains around, sometimes it was good and other times not so great reception.

Bob they sure love to mess with things don't they. When Dems are in charge it always gets to be such a mess, way too much government in our lives, way too much.

Jack, thanks for those links. And thanks for your input that is VERY interesting.

Tom, hahahhaa well let's see ....hmmmmm your right. I think Nick would have a fit if he could not watch sports.

Hi Tincan, yep we sure did good letting them know how we felt about amnesty for illegals.