Digital TV update
Although Feb. 17, 2009, has been advertised for nearly four years as the hard and fast date for the shutdown of most analog TV broadcasts in America, the date may be slipping away. Due to many issues involving the handling of the transition, Congress is considering extending the date. Some have called for a one-month extension, others for a longer period of time for consumers and the government to patch up a broken program. In early January, NTIA, the program administering the $40 coupon system announced that they had run out of money and were putting people who requested the coupons on a waiting list. The wait would be determined by the number of coupons that expired and money “reassigned” to the wait list. For many (including myself) my coupons expired long ago because when I was ready to buy, I couldn’t find a set top box that had analog pass through; an essential function for this area for most viewers. The government decided not to allow those who had let their coupons expire re-apply, essentially cutting out those who ran into supply issues.
There is plenty of blame to go around. The government estimated that there were 20 million consumers with only over-the-air analog service and another 15 million who receive mixed cable/satellite and over-the-air. Although $1.34 billion (essentially enough for 40 million set top box coupons) was allocated, more than 51 million coupons were requested. Whether this is a miscalculation, or some people wanted a set top box to resell, is moot at this point (check out the boxes for sale on eBay!).
Although consumers are aware of the transition, many do not understand what it really means. A recent survey by Consumers Union revealed that 29 percent of consumers believe all households must buy a new digital television to deal with the transition, 25 percent believe everyone must sign up for cable or satellite service; all untrue. Cable and satellite providers are taking advantage of the situation looking for more subscribers. It is a confusing situation for even the highly educated.
The reception issue is another complicated layer. Many consumers that have made the transition say they no longer receive the same channels they used to. This could be due to several factors such as antenna orientation, set top box sensitivity issues or TV station power levels. Some broadcasters will be reducing their coverage as they move to digital and some consumers will find themselves in “digital deadzones.” Also, many broadcasters haven’t begun broadcasting in digital at full power, on Feb 17, the landscape may change again.
For local residents, the mix of signals can be daunting. Translators on Blacktail Mountain will remain analog. Swan Hill translators are going digital. KSKC, the local public TV station will wait until April or May to turn off analog. Commercial affiliates in Missoula and Kalispell will change over on Feb. 17, unless there is an extension. What that will mean for stations poised to make the switch is unclear. My calls to chief engineers at two commercial stations in Missoula went unanswered.
What to do? If you can’t afford a new TV that will receive digital (and analog) broadcasts for $200 or more, then the best bet is to get in line for a converter box and see what happens or if you can afford to, just buy a box for $40 or $50. Make sure you have a decent outdoor antenna; rabbit ears may not work except in the most favorable conditions. And there were 165 boxes on eBay today!
Should the transition be delayed? My personal opinion is no. If Congress wants to allocate more of your money for the transition, they need to act quickly. It is difficult to stop the train for those who waited too long for a ticket!
Still confused? KSKC is sponsoring a public meeting to explain how the digital television transition will affect viewers in this area at 7p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20. A set top box will be demonstrated by Greg McDonald, executive director of the Montana Broadcasters Association. Both Greg and Frank Tyro, manager of KSKC will be available to answer questions about the boxes and who needs them. The meeting will be in the Late Louis Caye Sr. Memorial Building (the log cultural building on campus). Anyone who has questions about the transition should attend the meeting. Free refreshments will be served. Call 275-4878 if you have questions.