Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
As you may know, all TV signals will be digital starting Feb 2009. This means your old analog TV will not work without a converter box (unless your cable/dish company converts for you. Most will.)
People like me and kdogg, who do not have cable, will require the converter to get over the air TV. (Unless kdogg has an HDTV that is.)
The government is giving $40 coupons good for the purchase of converter boxes for people who do not have DTV, HDTV or if it is not provided by your cable company. There are a limited number of coupons available so if you do not have cable, you might want to apply now.
It's an inevitable effect of technology. The TV airwaves are worth billions of dollars and the TV stations won't pay for 2 stations for the same programs.
Now TV stations are broadcasting on both an analog and a digital frequency because they were given the digital stations for free about 10 years ago so they could set up digital TV. In 2009 the FEC will take back the analog stations and auction those frequencies off.
We can't afford to give the stations away and the TV networks have no reason to broadcast both so "Good Bye old TV set." Kind of like saying goodbye to old cassette tapes. Technology moves on.
The Democratic Congress was nice enough to give everyone who needs one a coupon to help with the transition. (at least until the money runs out.)
Last Edit: Mar 2, 2008 23:17:08 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
The thing I'm gonna hate about over the air digital TV is the same thing I hate about DVD's over VHS. When a VHS starts going bad it gets "fuzzy" but you can still watch it. DVD's just lock up.
A lot of my TV stations come in with "snow" and bad weather affects TV reception. With digital TV it will just stop instead of giving me the option of watching a sub-standard picture. Instead of getting 6-7 channels, I will likely get only 3-4.
(yeah, I know. bitch, bitch, bitch, or should I say Ann Coulter, Ann Coulter, Ann Coulter)
Last Edit: Mar 3, 2008 10:59:46 GMT -5 by troo - Back to Top
"Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed and will have the expiration date printed on the coupon. The last day to apply for coupons is March 31, 2009, or until supplies are exhausted."
So, there's a set number of coupons even though the conversion affects all? That's kinda weak, especially considering the lower income levels are less likely to access the internet and apply for the coupons earlier.
I did like the "Stop spam. Read books." message next to the confirmation box, though I'm confused as to its purpose.
Troo, you most certainly are missing the V in being an AV nerd. Complaining about DVDs over VHS....
Not really. In my case, the AV just stands for "analog Video" nerd. ;D
DVD quality is MUCH better. I just wish someone would develop extrapolation software so digital technology would not be so "touchy." And no, I'm not clinging to VHS like I do my vinyl.
I'm still kind of clinging on to VHS. I have a TV/DVD/VHS combo set and don't plan on updating my collection. Between streaming CSPAN/cable news and the availability of Daily Show/Colbert highlights online, I don't have much use for cable either.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Mar 4, 2008 14:14:19 GMT -5
troo said:
ziggyandthemonkeys said:
Troo, you most certainly are missing the V in being an AV nerd. Complaining about DVDs over VHS....
Not really. In my case, the AV just stands for "analog Video" nerd. ;D
DVD quality is MUCH better. I just wish someone would develop extrapolation software so digital technology would not be so "touchy." And no, I'm not clinging to VHS like I do my vinyl.
LOL. Well Blu-Ray is much more durable than DVD.....
Bumping this thread, because I signed up for it back in April and my coupon expires the 16th - Wednesday. Every place I checked with here was sold out, and most said they wouldn't get any more until August. So I had to go online for mine.
This sucks, because like all of my family in Kentucky is gonna have to get this... it's especially lame because air tv was free, and allot of country folk can't afford cable or digital network tv.
Troo, you most certainly are missing the V in being an AV nerd. Complaining about DVDs over VHS....
I'm one of the biggest AV nerds in the world and I don't even watch TV. Have not cable and sort of don't care about getting a converter, but I probably will.
This sucks, because like all of my family in Kentucky is gonna have to get this... it's especially lame because air tv was free, and allot of country folk can't afford cable or digital network tv.
Boo to the decision to go digital.
This is exactly why the government agreed to give out the coupons. I don't watch TV, but I worked in the biz fro years and currently work for a video camera manufacturer. I have been hearing about the digital transition for years. It was originally midnight Dec. 31 2006, but got pushed back, because the public would not be ready to switch.
I can't believe this many people still have over the air TV sets. Well move over analog TV, make room for wireless mobile internet. Its the nature of the beast.
Don't be surprised. Cable TV isn't exactly required for living like some other utilities. I get six channels on broadcast, and most anything else (Daily/Colbert, South Park, C-SPAN, cable news) is available online. Not to mention all the viewing hours I pass with my Netflix. As far as I'm concerned, cable's a waste of my money.
&
