WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, arguing that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels won't be ready.
I agree, alot won't be ready. I know some who cannot afford the full price of the box, and have been refused by the Govt program, due to lack of funds.Most of them are Elderly,and TV is kinda their life.
I agree considering the number of areas that will be blacked out because of the switch. They will have to go with satellite or cable. There are many places in Pa where there is no cable and many that are no the north side of a big hill. Just what do they do. Not only will they not be ready, but they have no option.
All those that procrastinated this time and didn't get the boxes will probably do so again. Then there's those who got the coupons and didn't bother to use them before they expired.
Sure, there are some exceptions . . . but for the most part, this is something that we've known was coming for how long? It's all over the TV, whether it's on the news, an infomercial, or running across the top or bottom of the screen during a show. I wasn't happy about buying the boxes, but got them before my coupons expired. I don't have an extra $80 to waste by not using the coupons . . .
There is many many places in the USA that even with the box they will not be able to get a station. I know a place in Idaho, if you live on the south side of town your OK, but if you live across the river on the north side you can't get anything with the new box. So Mrs. Mik what about those poor folks? It sure is not their fault.
Hobo
Just for the forum information, how many will be shunt out of TV on Feb 1? What is the percentage to the total viewing population? Can the delay of 2 weeks resolve any issues?
One has to remember that this has been announced quite a long time ago and these people not having converters may have to blame themselves first.
I also found, in a number of forums, that people that DID NOT need the converter bought it... just in case. May be they should show some social graces and offer it for free to charities.
As far as the signal being an issue, it is something that everyone may experience, analog or digital. Chances are that the analog signal was poor in the first place, and digital is a bit more demanding in terms of strength.
Mrs. Mik wrote: Is there EVER going to be a good time?
All those that procrastinated this time and didn't get the boxes will probably do so again. Then there's those who got the coupons and didn't bother to use them before they expired.
Sure, there are some exceptions . . . but for the most part, this is something that we've known was coming for how long? It's all over the TV, whether it's on the news, an infomercial, or running across the top or bottom of the screen during a show. I wasn't happy about buying the boxes, but got them before my coupons expired. I don't have an extra $80 to waste by not using the coupons . . .
Julie
I agree, the public has been given years and years of notice. As with everything else, the procrastinators lose out and they are the first to whine.
Analog TVs haven't been manufactured for years. The ones that you do find are old stock that is being sold at extreme discounts. If you bought one of these and then are going to complain "I'm not ready!", then you are dumb, dumb, dumb. Tough noogies, you WERE informed of the upcoming change.
The places that were selling these leftover analog TVs, VCRs, etc even provided WARNINGS on the price tags saying "THIS TV HAS AN ANALOG TUNER AND WILL NOT FUNCTION AFTER FEB, 2009!"
Sorry, I for one, am not willing to stay in the stone age because of someone ELSES poor planning.
As far as I am concerned, we should have been on the metric system decades ago like the ENTIRE REST OF THE WORLD!!!! But unfortunately, the government caved into the whiners. "I'm not ready, I can't figure out how many cups in a liter!"
Amazing how our "freedom" stifles our progress. Other governments say this is how it is, get used to it. We are moving forward with or without you.
As for me I never have liked the idea of being forced to go to digital-was just a gain for the gov't and for the rich..We were given a right to go to color and we went but digital sure ain't better than analog...Folks need to fight for their right to have analog tv or we will someday not have any tv worth watching...Guess we'll end up with radios like the 1940's...After all there are hardly any small airplanes anymore-another sign of the 40's.
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