Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
 ·Comcast
·Embarq Now Centu..
 ·Millenicom
| Do not get to excited about free TV.  The ATSC format allows Broadcasters to transmit Subscription Programming as well as free programming. Viewers might find themselves offered the choice of some crap reality program for free or a program worth watching for a fee. The transition to DTV was not about a better picture it was about monetizing broadcast television.
Food for thought: Has anyone wondered why the FCC did not require DTV to Analog Converters to have the capability of converting QAM transmissions. In fact DTV to Analog Converters that have QAM capability did not qualify for the transition coupon. Did the Cable Television Industry have their lawmaking lackeys write the law to disqualify converters with QAM capability? If everyone that purchased a DTV Converter could receive QAM transmissions, might some activist lawmaker looking out for the interest of consumers, amend the Cable Reception Act to require programming in the Basic Digital Tier be carried unencrypted. I would think that the Cable Television Industry had the lawmakers that are in their pockets, write the law regarding converter coupons, to support their interests. That way the CATV Industry can continue to charge consumers outrageous fees for digital outlets and unnecessary proprietary converter boxes. |
|
 tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:5
·Fairpoint Commun..
 ·Hollis Hosting
| said by Mr Matt: Has anyone wondered why the FCC did not require DTV to Analog Converters to have the capability of converting QAM transmissions. Because QAM is not used for over the air. This is the same reason why coupon eligible converters are limited to RF and composite video (or S-Video) out. Converters replace lost capability due to digital conversion not provide new ones. Have to do that on your own nickle.
/tom |
|
|
|
 BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to Mr Matt
said by Mr Matt: The ATSC format allows Broadcasters to transmit Subscription Programming as well as free programming. Viewers might find themselves offered the choice of some crap reality program for free or a program worth watching for a fee. The transition to DTV was not about a better picture it was about monetizing broadcast television. Um bullshit. yes how is my local ABC, NBC or CBS station going to collect a fee from me? THINK. Also even if you're right who cares. If analog was still around you'd get ONE channel anyways. There wouldn't be any choice.
Food for thought: Has anyone wondered why the FCC did not require DTV to Analog Converters to have the capability of converting QAM transmissions. Um..because that's what cable uses. And this transition is about OTA not cable.
In fact DTV to Analog Converters that have QAM capability did not qualify for the transition coupon. because those boxes cost big $$$ and if you have the money for one of those you obviously aren't poor enough to need a coupon. The boxes on the DTV list can't even output S-video let alone component or HDMI.
Did the Cable Television Industry have their lawmaking lackeys write the law to disqualify converters with QAM capability? If everyone that purchased a DTV Converter could receive QAM transmissions, might some activist lawmaker looking out for the interest of consumers, amend the Cable Reception Act to require programming in the Basic Digital Tier be carried unencrypted. I would think that the Cable Television Industry had the lawmakers that are in their pockets, write the law regarding converter coupons, to support their interests. That way the CATV Industry can continue to charge consumers outrageous fees for digital outlets and unnecessary proprietary converter boxes.
Like I said the DTV tansition is about OTA as in OVER THE AIR signals not cable so why would you need a converter box that can handle QAM signals?
Please loosen the tin foil hat you're wearing. |
|
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
kudos:1
1 edit | Unless someone can advise otherwise, I am sure that with the approprate firmware the current crop of DTV Converters could support demodulating both ATSC and QAM Signals. |
|
tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:5 Reviews:
·Fairpoint Commun..
·Hollis Hosting
| reply to BF69
said by BF69: because those boxes cost big $$$ and if you have the money for one of those you obviously aren't poor enough to need a coupon. The boxes on the DTV list can't even output S-video let alone component or HDMI. Just to nit pick a little. Converter boxes can have S-video output but nothing better.
Newer TVs include QAM in addition to ATSC one has to assume cost to support it is modest. The reason it is not supported by coupon eligible converter boxes is because it is not used for OTA.
If you are interested in the gory details here is a link to technical specification for Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes.
»www.ezdigitaltv.com/support-file···ents.pdf
/tom |
|
 MadnessLike a flea circus at a dog show
join:2000-01-05
Quincy, MA
kudos:1
·Verizon Online DSL
| What I'm more curious about is why the first round of coupon boxes didn't have analog pass-through. I have two boxes from RadioShack: DigitalStream 9900 & 9950. They both look nearly identical except that the latter has it & the former doesn't.
Just a note: W/ a cheap pair of rabbit ears, I get about 17 (sub)channels; w/ a Terk amplified "stick", 22. We'll see what happens after some stations move to VHF.
--
No keyboard present or keyboard error. Press <F1> to continue.... |
|
tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:5 Reviews:
·Fairpoint Commun..
·Hollis Hosting
| said by Madness:What I'm more curious about is why the first round of coupon boxes didn't have analog pass-through. I think that was an oversight. Manufacturers forgot people have access to both NTSC and ATSC programs before the transition. In many cases even after if they are served by low power stations or translators.
/tom |
|
