Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: bustr on February 18, 2008, 07:39:16 PM
-
Digital TV Shift Affects Minorities Most
By JOHN DUNBAR – 3 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hispanics are nearly twice as likely as whites to be left without television service following the nationwide transition to digital broadcasting next year, according to a new survey.
Beginning in February 2009, full-power broadcast stations will transmit digital-only signals, meaning people who get their television programming over an antenna and do not have a digital set won't get a picture without a special converter box.
The Nielsen Co. survey released Friday estimates that more than 13 million households in the U.S. receive television programming over the air on non-digital sets, meaning they will need converter boxes. Another 6 million households contain at least one television that fits that description.
Nielsen researchers found that 10.1 percent of all households would have no access to television signals if the transition occurred today. Broken down by race, 8.8 percent of whites would be unready; 11.7 percent of Asians; 12.4 percent of blacks; and 17.3 percent of Hispanics.
By age, of those 35 and younger, 12.3 percent rely solely on over-the-air broadcasts. Of those age 55 and older, 9.4 percent fall into that category.
The survey noted that 16.8 percent of all households have at least one analog television set that would not work after the switch.
The Nielsen survey was done as part of its overall television rankings forecast. The data was gathered by Nielsen staff who visited a national sample of roughly 15,000 homes. The survey took about 18 months to complete, according to the company.
By market, New York is considered the most ready for the transition. Only 3.5 percent of television sets are non-digital and get programming over the air. Portland, Ore., is at the other end of the list, with 22.4 percent of television sets in that category.
Eric Rossi, leader of Nielsen's digital transition preparedness team, said much of the data fits with existing assumptions about the transition, though the fact that seniors are more ready than the younger people is "maybe one of the slightly unexpected results."
However, Rossi cautions, the age is based on the head of household. The survey does not include group quarters like retirement homes.
Rossi said the results also track closely with cable television penetration rates. People who get cable or satellite service won't be affected by the transition.
The government is accepting requests for coupons to subsidize the cost of converter boxes for those who need them. Each household is eligible for two coupons worth $40 apiece, regardless of whether they have pay-television service or not. To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov or call the 24-hour hotline, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
The coupons expire three months from issue. Boxes are expected to be available in the next week at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and other retailers. They are expected to range in price from $40 to $70.
-
You know, I think I am going to CHOOSE not to get cable or any television service. I'm not going to go out of my way and spend my money over an unnecessary government mandate.
-
and the month the coupons are available.. they will be sold for $20 in the parking lots of stores out of said unfortunates trunks.
lazs
-
Originally posted by lasersailor184
You know, I think I am going to CHOOSE not to get cable or any television service. I'm not going to go out of my way and spend my money over an unnecessary government mandate.
It's not bad at all without TV. I only allow our kids to have cable service during the summer months. We don't even miss it during the school year. I bet you'd be surprised at how much you'd never miss it.
-
Originally posted by lazs2
and the month the coupons are available.. they will be sold for $20 in the parking lots of stores out of said unfortunates trunks.
lazs
:aok Exactly.
-
Originally posted by texasmom
It's not bad at all without TV. I only allow our kids to have cable service during the summer months. We don't even miss it during the school year. I bet you'd be surprised at how much you'd never miss it.
I've done it before. Up here at college I didn't have a TV in my dorm room for the entire year. I survived.
And that's why I'll survive without cable again.
-
The advertisers should be handing out coupons... not the government.
Why should tax dollars go to ensure people can watch American Idol?
What about TVs themselves?...or computers or Ipods.. should we buy everyone one of those as well?
:huh
-
it doesn't stop with the coupons...
think the average recipient of those coupons will be able to figure out how to install it?
nope, the coupons are just the tip of the iceberg on this latest gov waste
-
A lot of you seem to be confused about the switch. Only TVs that receive their signal with an over-the-air antenna will be affected. People who receive their content from a cable or satellite provider will not be affected - right away. Within 5 -7 years cable will start broadcasting in digital and satellite receivers will only have digital outputs on them requiring a digital TV
The switch to digital is good in the fact that it will clear up a lot of band width that can be used for other things. For example, my local ABC affiliate now has a 24 hour news and a 24 hour weather channel in addition to their regular broadcasting all using less than 1/3 the bandwidth that their analog signal used. The switch has been pushed back (I think) three times and the gubment had decided it will (as usual) bribe the poor people into going along with it.
that being said
If you have bought an analog TV in the last three years you have made a very uninformed purchase. Who is to blame? An ignorant public making poor purchase choices or manufacturers and retailers taking advantage of said ignorant public by offering $99 TVs that they know will be useless a year from now?
I have one analog TV in my bedroom that I bought in 1991. The thing works as well as the day I bought it. I'll have to get a converter box.
--edit**
Instalation is as easy as putting the box in the signal path between the antenna and the TV. Done.
-
**** the government.
-
$890 million in coupons for converters, and $200 million in advertising to alert the public about the switch. Your tax dollars at work. :mad:
-
Originally posted by sluggish
A lot of you seem to be confused about the switch. Only TVs that receive their signal with an over-the-air antenna will be affected. People who receive their content from a cable or satellite provider will not be affected - right away. Within 5 -7 years cable will start broadcasting in digital and satellite receivers will only have digital outputs on them requiring a digital TV
The switch to digital is good in the fact that it will clear up a lot of band width that can be used for other things. For example, my local ABC affiliate now has a 24 hour news and a 24 hour weather channel in addition to their regular broadcasting all using less than 1/3 the bandwidth that their analog signal used. The switch has been pushed back (I think) three times and the gubment had decided it will (as usual) bribe the poor people into going along with it.
that being said
If you have bought an analog TV in the last three years you have made a very uninformed purchase. Who is to blame? An ignorant public making poor purchase choices or manufacturers and retailers taking advantage of said ignorant public by offering $99 TVs that they know will be useless a year from now?
I have one analog TV in my bedroom that I bought in 1991. The thing works as well as the day I bought it. I'll have to get a converter box.
--edit**
Instalation is as easy as putting the box in the signal path between the antenna and the TV. Done.
curious .. you gonna use the gov hand out for your set top?
just asking LOL
you underestimate the stupidity of the general public if you think the majority of those who need these boxes are bright enough to use/install them without assistance
-
the people that sell the boxes will offer installation.
-
Originally posted by john9001
the people that sell the boxes will offer installation.
and who pays for that? and the service calls which will follow..