Will a new law make your TV obsolete? The United States government is requiring TV stations to ceasebroadcasting analog channels. April 7th, 2009 is the currentdate the FCC is requiring U.S. stations to broadcast usingdigital signals instead of existing analog signals. With aconversion date slightly over three years from now and littlepublicity on the topic, what is an American consumer to do? First, let's take a look at what is driving these changes andthen we'll look at what options American consumers haveregarding their home television sets.
Why convert to digital TV? There are three main factors driving the industry change fromanalog signals to digital. Standardized digital conversion willcreate a common and effective way for TV broadcasters to encrypttheir content and protect against piracy. Digital content notonly provides better content for viewers, but perfectreproduction for content piracy. No longer is there a "copy of acopy" effect. Every reproduction of digital content is as clearas the original. Existing laws and standards don't allowbroadcasters to protect their content because they have toprovide analog versions.
The conversion to digital broadcastwill allow encryption to be employed. The second reason for digital TV conversion is to raise moneythrough the sale of frequency spectrums. VHF (Very highfrequency) channels are currently used for TV stations 2-13, butthat frequency range is also used for FM radio, navigationsystems, aircraft communications and two-way radios for police,taxis and marine communications. UHF(Ultra high frequency) channels are used for all other TVstations that are not digital. This frequency range is also usedcurrently for cell phones, cordless phones, wireless networking,ham radio and other licensed two-way communications (GMRS, FRS)and microwave ovens.
During the mid 90's the FCC auctioned PCS spectrum frequencies, whichcurrent digital cellular phones operate on and generated over$7.7 billion in revenue for the A and B blocks alone. When TVstations convert to digital frequencies, the FCC plans toauction the newly available spectrum to the highest bidder.Revenues from this auction are expected to exceed $10 billionwith $5 billion legislated to pay down the federal deficit. The final reason driving the conversion to digital broadcastcomes from providers themselves.
In addition to being able toprotect their content, TV stations will be able to provide better content. Digital TV will be broadcast in higherresolution, meaning your picture will be clearer and sharper.The aspect ratio, the way the picture is displayed, will bedifferent...more like the way movies in theaters are displayed.Think rectangle instead of square. Digital TV will also supplyDolby digital surround sound. Most importantly though is theability to broadcast more than one channel at a time.
Forinstance, HBO currentlybroadcasts eight, Two Way Walkie Talkie Products, channels on digital cable and digitalsatellite. Subscribers who have analog cable only receiveone HBO channel. Is a new TV required? So what does all this information mean to American TV watchers?First of all, you won't necessarily have to buy a new TV. Ifyou're one of the less than 30% who still watches TV using onlyan antenna, your TV will go blank on April 7th, 2009, but you'llbe able to fix that situation using a digital converter boxinstead of buying a new TV.
The consumer electronics industry ishoping the price point of that device will be less than $70. For the remaining 70% of AmericanTV watchers who subscribe to cable or digital satelliteservices, your current set top box will act as the converterfor your TV. However, some features that only a new digital TVwill have is the ability to display the full digital resolutionand the wide screen aspect ratio. Another benefit to a digital TV is you won't need a separatecable or satellite receiver. Digital TVs have those tuners builtin, but you may need a decoder card to receive subscriptionbased programming.
Cable and digital satellite providers plan onproviding video on demand using these cards instead of a set topbox. Digital TVs are already on the market and you may have onewithout even knowing it! All large screen TVs, 36" and above,were required to be digital ready July 1, 2005. Intermediatesized TVs, 25" to 36" are scheduled to be digital ready by July1, 2006 and all TVs above 13" should be digital ready by March1, 2007. This should be in plenty of time to meet the 2009legislation. Manufacturers are hoping the deadline will be movedup as are certain members of Congress like Senator John McCainof Arizona.
Will consumers know the difference? The adoption of HDTV is a good measure of how consumers willrespond to digital TV. Purchases of HDTVs have been strong,especially with prices dropping, but there is still a lot ofconfusion between the different types of TVs available and therequired HDTV services. A December survey by Forrester Researchshowed that while 16 million Americans have purchased HDTV sets,less than half of them have registered for services that willallow them to view it. Some HDTV programming is provided "in the clear," but cable orsatellite customers need to have a special set top box ordecoder (CableCard) to view programming in HD.
The biggestreason consumers gave for not obtaining the proper programmingoptions to receive HDTV was they felt the picture quality was already improved just by the purchase of the HDTV set. Cable and satellite providers will be providing consumereducation over the coming year to educate them about theadditional requirements for viewing HDTV. Hopefully, thiseducation programming will help raise awareness for the DigitalTV conversion of 2009 as well. Digital television - the bottom line. The 2009 digital TV conversion should benefit consumers in waysthey can't even imagine.
It won't require everybody to purchasea new television set. Manufacturers and retailers will continueto provide analog TVs as the law allows over the next 24 monthsand new VCRs and DVD players will be made with both analog anddigital tuners. TV content providers will be able to providebetter and more interactive content for viewers because of adefined digital TV standard. And other consumer electroniccommunication devices will be made better because of expandedfrequency availability for things like cordless phones, cellphones and walkie-talkies of all varieties.