February 23, 2009 - PPM -Digital TV Transition
This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the Digital TV Transition.
The transition was planned in 1996 to free up bandwidth space. Media reports (paper, TV, radio) have been announcing the conversion for over 2 years.
It was due to happen last week, but it was delayed for another 4 months upon request of President Obama. It has already cost the government $1.34 BILLION. I have a few questions.
Why was it delayed?
Why is it Government financed?
Did we provide AM to FM radio conversion kits?
Did we provide B&W to Color TV conversion kits?
Why has the Government offered TWO $40 coupons per house?
If you can afford 2 TVs, maybe you should sell one and get cable. Ironically, people can download the $40 coupons. Again, if you have Internet access, converting to Digital TV should be an easy choice. Actually if you Cable Internet, a TV tuner on your PC is less than the $40 coupon.
I’m still waiting on my Betamax to VHS, to DVD, to Blue Ray conversion kits. Why does the Government choose to subsidize some technology transfers and not others?
The Government says there are still 6.5 Million people that have not converted. How do they know? They can’t do an accurate census. We don’t know how many illegal aliens are in the U.S. Hell, they just misplaced $350 Billion in TARP funds.
I have NO CONFIDENCE in the US Government’s math, projections, or estimates.
In Cincinnati, Channel 64 completed the analog to digital conversion on the original transition date last week. They supposedly received over 1000 complaints from technology-challenged viewers. I doubt that Channel 64 has over 1000 regular viewers. The complaint numbers were trumped up by the local media to draw attention.
The Saturday program guide for Channel 64 last Saturday was:
9:00 a.m. - Paid Program
9:30 a.m. - Paid Program
10:00 a.m. - Paid Program
10:30 a.m. - Paid Program
11:00 a.m. - Auto Shopper
11:30 a.m. - Paid Program
12:00 p.m. - Fresh Prince
Really. (Sarcasm font)
The transition was planned in 1996 to free up bandwidth space. Media reports (paper, TV, radio) have been announcing the conversion for over 2 years.
It was due to happen last week, but it was delayed for another 4 months upon request of President Obama. It has already cost the government $1.34 BILLION. I have a few questions.
Why was it delayed?
Why is it Government financed?
Did we provide AM to FM radio conversion kits?
Did we provide B&W to Color TV conversion kits?
Why has the Government offered TWO $40 coupons per house?
If you can afford 2 TVs, maybe you should sell one and get cable. Ironically, people can download the $40 coupons. Again, if you have Internet access, converting to Digital TV should be an easy choice. Actually if you Cable Internet, a TV tuner on your PC is less than the $40 coupon.
I’m still waiting on my Betamax to VHS, to DVD, to Blue Ray conversion kits. Why does the Government choose to subsidize some technology transfers and not others?
The Government says there are still 6.5 Million people that have not converted. How do they know? They can’t do an accurate census. We don’t know how many illegal aliens are in the U.S. Hell, they just misplaced $350 Billion in TARP funds.
I have NO CONFIDENCE in the US Government’s math, projections, or estimates.
In Cincinnati, Channel 64 completed the analog to digital conversion on the original transition date last week. They supposedly received over 1000 complaints from technology-challenged viewers. I doubt that Channel 64 has over 1000 regular viewers. The complaint numbers were trumped up by the local media to draw attention.
The Saturday program guide for Channel 64 last Saturday was:
9:00 a.m. - Paid Program
9:30 a.m. - Paid Program
10:00 a.m. - Paid Program
10:30 a.m. - Paid Program
11:00 a.m. - Auto Shopper
11:30 a.m. - Paid Program
12:00 p.m. - Fresh Prince
Really. (Sarcasm font)
I think we are providing a great service to these folks by blacking out the infomercials and Will Smith. They can buy new TVs instead of spending money on infomercial Snuggles, transformer ladders, and weight loss miracle devices.
Labels: Pet Peeve
posted by J. Jay @ 9:28 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Caption for the picture - " Can you hear me now?"
You forgot about the Infomercial Mops
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