Digital TV Transition Update 01.09.08

1. Glitch could leave some TV screens blank
2. Copps Keeps Pushing for Digital TV Transition Trial Market
3. Martin: No Give in DTV Hard Date

GLITCH COULD LEAVE SOME TV SCREENS BLANK
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: John Dunbar]
On Feb. 17, 2009, owners of full-power television stations will turn off their old-technology analog signals and broadcast in digital only. Viewers who receive their signals through an antenna who don't have a digital-ready TV will have to buy a converter box. But here's the wrinkle: the mandate to go digital applies only to the roughly 1,760 "full-power" stations in the U.S. There are more than 2,900 low-power television stations and about 4,400 signal-relay stations known as "translators" that will not be required to go digital by the deadline. Those low-power stations provide service to rural areas and to specific communities in urban areas that are not targeted by big broadcasters. Such stations are much cheaper to build, and unlike full-power stations, broadcast almost exclusively to viewers who use antennas to pick up programming. Translator stations rebroadcast the programming of full-power stations. They serve areas that are too far away from a full-power transmitter, or are cut off from a signal due to mountainous terrain. So what's the problem? The government is encouraging over-the-air television viewers to buy a converter box before the digital transition date, and is subsidizing the cost with two $40 coupons per household. The boxes "down-convert" a digital signal to analog, thus allowing older televisions to pick up programming. If a viewer who watches programming broadcast on a low-power or translator station buys the wrong box, he may be in for a frustrating experience. Signals from full-power stations will come in fine. But most of the boxes that have been certified for sale will block the low-power signal if it is being broadcast in an analog format.
http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/371352.html

COPPS KEEPS PUSHING FOR DIGITAL TV TRANSITION TRIAL MARKET
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Ted Hearn]
The Federal Communications Commission's Michael Copps hasn't given up on his proposal to complete the digital TV transition in at least one test market before the national cutoff of analog broadcasting in February 2009. “I think it’s the only rational and viable way to go about something like this,” Commissioner Copps said at the Consumer Electronics Show. “I can't just see one time pulling the lever and saying a Hail Mary and hoping for the best.” Commissioner Copps, who floated a DTV transition dry run in late December, hasn't gained the support of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. “I am not opposed to it but I'm not sure that logistically we would be able to end up accomplishing it,” Chairman Martin said.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6518254.html?rssid=196

MARTIN: NO GIVE IN DTV HARD DATE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Mark Robichaux]
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin martin told the annual Consumer Electronics Show that there is no chance that the nation’s shift to digital television will be delayed, regardless of questions and pleas from various industry executives. With more than 50% of American homes owning digital televisions, Chairman Martin said he was pleased with what the TV and consumer-electronics industries were doing to inform consumers, although he added, “We can do more.” He said the ad campaigns that are beginning to hit the airwaves are arriving at the right time. “You don't want to be putting too much emphasis too early,” he added. Chairman Martin said he expects the cable, broadcast and consumer-electronics industries to defuse the inevitable logistical problems that may arise prior to the transition. Some consumers have expressed concern, for example, that the DTV coupons, which have a three-month expiration date, might not allow enough time to choose a device, especially if retailers are sold out or have limited selections.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6518193.html?rssid=193