Spring Break
Analog TV to be obsolete by 2009
Nick Veronin
Issue date: 3/21/07 Section: News
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In a little less than two years time all analog televisions in the United States will no longer receive a signal unless properly equipped with a digital converter box.
Todd Sedmak, communications director for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said Feb. 17, 2009 will be the last day full-power TV stations will be allowed to broadcast analog signals in the U.S.
According to Sedmak, starting Jan. 1, 2008, those interested in purchasing a digital-to-analog converter box will be able to request two $40 coupons per household to help cover the cost of the hardware, which will be necessary to make many older sets function.
Semak said the only other options for individuals with TV's that receive only analog signals would be to subscribe to a cable or satellite service, buy a newer TV with a digital tuner or simply go without the tube altogether.
Holly Warren, a senior majoring in nursing, said even though she doesn't rely on an analog signal to get her TV, she is a little wary of the switch.
"I think it kind of sucks that they're forcing people to go and buy new TVs," Warren said. "If you have one of those really old TVs, chances are you can't afford a new one anyways."
The purpose of mandating all full-powered television stations to switch to digital-only broadcasting is "to free up spectrum that can be used for emergency first responders and to be auctioned to provide new services for the nation," Sedmak said.
Sedmak said that the term spectrum refers to all of the nation's airwaves.
Spectrum, he said, is used by garage door openers, cell phones, radios, televisions and keyless car entry systems, among other devices.
He said 24 megahertz of the space freed by eliminating analog TV signals will be used to improve communication among the nation's emergency services. The remaining 84-megahertz will be auctioned to private bidders.
The earnings accrued in the auction - earnings Sedmak estimates could total as much as $10 billion - will go toward subsidizing digital-to-analog converters for individuals who do not have digital tuners in their television sets.
Todd Sedmak, communications director for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said Feb. 17, 2009 will be the last day full-power TV stations will be allowed to broadcast analog signals in the U.S.
According to Sedmak, starting Jan. 1, 2008, those interested in purchasing a digital-to-analog converter box will be able to request two $40 coupons per household to help cover the cost of the hardware, which will be necessary to make many older sets function.
Semak said the only other options for individuals with TV's that receive only analog signals would be to subscribe to a cable or satellite service, buy a newer TV with a digital tuner or simply go without the tube altogether.
Holly Warren, a senior majoring in nursing, said even though she doesn't rely on an analog signal to get her TV, she is a little wary of the switch.
"I think it kind of sucks that they're forcing people to go and buy new TVs," Warren said. "If you have one of those really old TVs, chances are you can't afford a new one anyways."
The purpose of mandating all full-powered television stations to switch to digital-only broadcasting is "to free up spectrum that can be used for emergency first responders and to be auctioned to provide new services for the nation," Sedmak said.
Sedmak said that the term spectrum refers to all of the nation's airwaves.
Spectrum, he said, is used by garage door openers, cell phones, radios, televisions and keyless car entry systems, among other devices.
He said 24 megahertz of the space freed by eliminating analog TV signals will be used to improve communication among the nation's emergency services. The remaining 84-megahertz will be auctioned to private bidders.
The earnings accrued in the auction - earnings Sedmak estimates could total as much as $10 billion - will go toward subsidizing digital-to-analog converters for individuals who do not have digital tuners in their television sets.
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