Making the Switch to Digital TV

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Brad Schaefer
Kurtis
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Jul. 18, 2008

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Making the Switch to Digital TV

As the world changes so do the demands of consumers -- this is particularly true with technology. One of the most pressing issues today is that of digital television. But to most this subject is shrouded in mystery. Why are we being forced to convert to digital signals? What does going digital even mean? Most importantly, how will the shift to digital television affect me? These are all excellent questions, ones I hope to address sufficiently, and thereby purging the digital switch from its aforementioned shroud of mystery.

Many major local television stations currently broadcast both analog and digital signals in order to satisfy the needs of all consumers; however, all analog television broadcasts will cease nation-wide as of February 17, 2009 (with a few exceptions). Analog television has been around since... well, since television, and digital television was introduced nearly 18 years ago... so why is the shift just now being mandated?

Technology is often ahead of both business and a public domain regulated by bureaucratic means, so the huge delay should come as no surprise. For example, if you're reading this from a company workstation chances are you are not running Windows Vista, and, though you may be running XP, my money would be on Windows 2000. Nearly 9 years have passed since its release, but over 50% of businesses continue to use it. Transitions are expensive and time-consuming.

Computer operating system shifts in a small business can take over a year to complete, and is just a drop in an empty barrel when compared to the nation-wide shift to digital transmissions. The transition is now mandated since broadcast signal ranges have become scarcer and are required by varied, and essential, services (emergency, police, etc.). These signal ranges are also in high demand for other commercial use; Google and others would love to grab a slice of the spectrum for municipal WiFi, for example. Shifting from analog to digital signaling helps preserve transmission bandwidth, while also constructing better quality images.

In my opinion what really makes digital television so appealing is the use of multicasting, or sending multiple programs through a single transmission. How can we broadcast a multicast? Even for the technically inclined, this may be a bit confusing... While it's similar to multicasting in networking, our goal is not to deliver one message to multiple locations; rather, it is to receive multiple channels through a single broadcast. This is accomplished through split bit streaming, or, in layman's terms, by separating individual programming channels offered by the same broadcaster (within the same transmission).

The digital shift preserves air space, which means more options for your handheld toys. It also will only affect those using "over-the-air" transmissions. Cable and satellite subscribers are safe, for now...

For those of you who do not subscribe to cable or satellite and have no intentions of doing so, your analog television set will provide countless hours of darkness. Sounds completely worthless, right? It is, unless you choose to buy a new television or purchase a digital converter box (televisions' answer to the defibrillator) for every television you own that is incapable of translating digital signals. Either option will bridge you into the digital spectrum and allow you to view that wonderful Movey-picture-generating machine in all its glory.

If your intention is to continue viewing "over-the-air" broadcasts through the use of a converter box, there is additional relief available. The NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) can be contacted through www.DTV2009.gov to receive $40 coupons, limited to two per household. After receiving your coupon(s) the only hurdle remaining is locating a converter box. They are quick-selling items, but you could conceive and bear child before it becomes essential. In other words, there should be more than enough time left to get hold of a converter box.

Technology is never satisfied and will determine the finite lifespan of digital television. While I doubt the duration will be comparable to that of analog television broadcasting (nearly 70 years), I do believe it to be a step in the right direction. For all you consumers out there, have no fear in the shift to digital. Demand the change and embrace it wholly; it's for the better, and will happen regardless.

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1 User Comment

1 - Posted by davew1000 on October 4, 2009 - 11:13 pm

digital tv is worthless

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