I am pretty sure everyone now knows that all analog broadcasts will cease on February 17, 2009 June 12, 2009 in favor of digital broadcasts. Those receiving analog television through cable and/or satellite providers will not lose anything. Now show of hands: Who knows why?
I remember hearing back in late 90′s early 2000′s that ten years from now Televisions broadcasters would be forced to switch over to digital broadcasts because the United States Government (Army) wanted the analog spectrum for communication purposes and to sell chunks of it for big bucks. Well after reading Wikipedia www.dtv.gov seems I was not too far from the truth.
The reclaimed channels will be used for a variety of service, including MediaFLO (55), DVB-H (52/54), public safety (60/61 base, 68/69 mobile), and mobile phones (in a band that is not used anywhere else). Sources also state that Google are trying to use some of the analog spectrum to make a national free Wifi system. Now I hope that does happens.
It actually amazes me how many people actually are still only receiving over the air broadcasts. Guess I could understand farms and such but that is what satellite is for if you can afford it. I thought people without satellite or cable just watched movies and listened to the radio for their news and alerts. Oh well those people who have not gotten their voucher/coupons for the digital-analog converters are getting an extension to soften the blow.
All in all the change sounds good. Digital means more channels, better picture, and audio. The only problem though is the digital towers are not as powerful as the analog towers, thus the signal does not travel as far. Another problem with digital is unlike analog where distance and obstacles only degrade signal quality, with digital you either have a signal or you don’t. Well maybe this change will motivate some of those truly reclusive, “Hill have Eyes”, “Deliverance”, “Wrong Turn” individuals to move a little closer and rejoin civilization.
