Senate passes bill to delay digital TV switch

[barres]

Fortunately, the House smelled the rat and scuttled the bill.

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090128/ ... transition

No more analog TV signals (and no more switchover commercials! ) after Feb. 17.

[cling]

Fortunately, the House smelled the rat and scuttled the bill.

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090128/ ... transition

No more analog TV signals (and no more switchover commercials! ) after Feb. 17.

Three more weeks! Where can I take my old analog TV and shoot it?

[flb_78]

(and no more switchover commercials! ) after Feb. 17.

[agbullet2k1]

While I'm thrilled that the end is nigh, I've been wondering what the overall plan for battery operated TVs is. I mean, you can't plug a converter box into something with a 2" screen. The only thing I've seen so far is a digital ready small TV at radio shack with a proprietary rechargeable battery, and you won't have electricity when a hurricane rolls through...

[lrb111]

Not everyone is going all digital. Cable companies and satellite feeds are not required to switch everything to digital. There may also be some low-power broadcasters that are not required to switch.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is the FCC making cable companies switch to digital service?

No. Cable companies are not required to switch to digital service. Cable companies may choose to make their service all or partly digital, but they are not required to change from the analog service they offer today. In fact, the FCC requires cable companies to continue to provide local stations in analog as long as they provide any analog service, even after February 17, 2009.

[Keith B]

Not everyone is going all digital. Cable companies and satellite feeds are not required to switch everything to digital. There may also be some low-power broadcasters that are not required to switch.

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html#faq15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is the FCC making cable companies switch to digital service?

No. Cable companies are not required to switch to digital service. Cable companies may choose to make their service all or partly digital, but they are not required to change from the analog service they offer today. In fact, the FCC requires cable companies to continue to provide local stations in analog as long as they provide any analog service, even after February 17, 2009.

The factor here being that their output to the consumer will still be analog unless you want HD and use their box. For the standard televisions they are just doing the conversion upstream in their system for you.

[Fangs]

While I'm thrilled that the end is nigh, I've been wondering what the overall plan for battery operated TVs is. I mean, you can't plug a converter box into something with a 2" screen. The only thing I've seen so far is a digital ready small TV at radio shack with a proprietary rechargeable battery, and you won't have electricity when a hurricane rolls through...

I remember seeing a commercial a while back from Dish (I think) where you could get hand-held satellite TVs from them.

[Captain Matt]

More proof that congress is the opposite of progress.
http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/ ... onder.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to complete congressional action Wednesday on a bill that would delay for four months the nation's conversion from analog to digital television broadcasts. No, this isn't a story from last week that got republished by accident. No, this isn't a joke. Yes, this is Déjà vu all over again.

When we last saw our heroes, the Senate was passing the DTV Delay Act (Monday) and the House was shooting it down (Wednesday). President Barack Obama proposed the delay, so his signature is assured -- if the bill can emerge from the Congress. It got a second chance when the Senate, on Thursday, voted it up again. The House is scheduled to vote on the Senate's version of the bill (S. 352) on Wednesday and this time, it is expected to fall into line.

[Keith B]

While I'm thrilled that the end is nigh, I've been wondering what the overall plan for battery operated TVs is. I mean, you can't plug a converter box into something with a 2" screen. The only thing I've seen so far is a digital ready small TV at radio shack with a proprietary rechargeable battery, and you won't have electricity when a hurricane rolls through...

Just had this discussion with my BIL and he has been researching them. Here are the ones that he has found http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?ur ... &x=12&y=14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The biggest issue I can see is that they have rechargeable batteries and about a 2 hour run time. If you have no power, then they won't do you much good since you can't recharge them. Even the ones that have a car adapter won't charge from a car battery.

[mr.72]

How can you prevent it from charging from a car battery??

If it won't charge on a 12V supply and requires the float from the alternator, then just plug an inverter into the car cigarette lighter and use the AC outlet.

[Keith B]

How can you prevent it from charging from a car battery??

If it won't charge on a 12V supply and requires the float from the alternator, then just plug an inverter into the car cigarette lighter and use the AC outlet.

Good point, if you have an invertor.

[agbullet2k1]

How can you prevent it from charging from a car battery??

If it won't charge on a 12V supply and requires the float from the alternator, then just plug an inverter into the car cigarette lighter and use the AC outlet.

Cue the news reports of the idiots that kill themselves using the car as a generator with the garage door closed.

While an inverter is a viable alternative in most cases, the real world dilemma of a sustained power outage is that gas-in-car is much more valuable for driving than for powering electronics. I'm starting to see an untapped market for emergency gear here...anyone with business knowledge want to team up with an engineer?

[mr.72]

How can you prevent it from charging from a car battery??

If it won't charge on a 12V supply and requires the float from the alternator, then just plug an inverter into the car cigarette lighter and use the AC outlet.

Cue the news reports of the idiots that kill themselves using the car as a generator with the garage door closed.

Well, Mr. Engineer, the presumption was that it won't charge from a car battery because the battery in a car that is not running is putting out only 12V max, while when the alternator is turning the voltage is more like 13-14 volts. I don't think I was suggesting running the car while you were charging the battery. You have a battery in a car with many Ah of capacity and you are transferring a charge to a device with only a couple of hundred mAh so you should be able to charge a portable electronics device many times on a car battery in a car that's not running before you deplete the battery to the point at which it won't also start the car.

Moreover if your car is stickshift then you can push start the car.

The energy stored in a car battery can be very useful if you have a way of using it for something else in case of an emergency. I am not suggesting running the microwave or a hair dryer with it :)

[agbullet2k1]

How can you prevent it from charging from a car battery??

If it won't charge on a 12V supply and requires the float from the alternator, then just plug an inverter into the car cigarette lighter and use the AC outlet.

Cue the news reports of the idiots that kill themselves using the car as a generator with the garage door closed.

Well, Mr. Engineer, the presumption was that it won't charge from a car battery because the battery in a car that is not running is putting out only 12V max, while when the alternator is turning the voltage is more like 13-14 volts. I don't think I was suggesting running the car while you were charging the battery. You have a battery in a car with many Ah of capacity and you are transferring a charge to a device with only a couple of hundred mAh so you should be able to charge a portable electronics device many times on a car battery in a car that's not running before you deplete the battery to the point at which it won't also start the car.

Moreover if your car is stickshift then you can push start the car.

The energy stored in a car battery can be very useful if you have a way of using it for something else in case of an emergency. I am not suggesting running the microwave or a hair dryer with it :)

Oh I'm not arguing the mismatch of a cell battery vs. standalone car battery. I've used my battery plenty of times to launch model rockets, charge phones, etc., but always with the engine off. I'm only pointing out the supposed stupidity of the masses that forces the media to spend half of their broadcast during power outages reminding people not to run gas generators indoors.

[kirock7]

Rumor around here is that the House is voting on it again today (I work at a TV station).

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD961LAB05

House Republicans on Wednesday defeated the proposal to delay the analog TV cutoff — currently mandated to be Feb. 17 — to June 12. But that vote happened under a special fast-track procedure that requires two-thirds support to pass.

While Wednesday's 258-168 tally failed to clear that threshold, it showed that House Democrats do have enough votes to pass the measure with a regular floor vote, which requires a simple majority. The bill is expected to go to the House floor during the middle of next week.

The Senate unanimously passed the bill to delay the transition Monday night, and then again Thursday night to incorporate minor changes.

Rather confusing, isn't it?