The digital-TV transition: Consumer assistance is broadened

When analog television meets its mandated demise, a little less than two years from now, every analog TV used with an antenna will need a set-top box that converts over-the-air digital signals to a format the old TV can receive. As we previously reported Congress has approved funding to provide consumers with $40 coupons to cover (or at least offset) the cost of those boxes. But until this week, the government proposed giving coupons only to homes that receive all their TV via antenna.

Now the National Telecommunications & Information Administration has broadened that eligibility to include any home with an analog TV that's still hooked up to an antenna, even if some sets in the home are connected to cable or satellite. Analog sets connected to a cable or satellite box shouldn't require a converter. But older, so-called cable-ready TV sets (in which the cable plugs directly into the set) may need a converter box unless, as some expect, the cable company converts digital signals to analog for their analog-cable subscribers. 

The shift has been applauded by consumer advocates, including Consumer Union, publisher of Consumer Reports. But CU finds little else to applaud in the coupon program, which senior policy analyst Jeannine Kenney describes as "under-funded" and "intentionally difficult for consumers to use. Unless Congress revisits the structure and funding of the coupon program, the digital transition will be not just an annoyance to consumers, it will be a financial burden as well, undermining the likelihood that the 2009 transition deadline will be met.”

CU's telecommunications advocacy website, hearusnow.org, has CU's news release on the program change, along with more on regulatory issues in telecommunications and CU's position on them.

— Paul Reynolds

Comments

[Judy]

What does a person do if they had coupons for DTV box but coupons have expired? Why would they put an expiration on them?

[Dan]

Why does the government need to have a program which gives tax dollars to citizens for their television viewing? Last I checked; the constitution provides for one's right to life, liberty,and the pursuit of happiness (but says nothing of an unalienable right to clear TV). I'm serious, our government has ventured way too far into our private lives! (All under the guise of making our lives' better.)

[Don]

How does over the air (non cable) HDTV signals compare with older analog system. Is it a cleaner signal ie: does HDTV produce a sharper cleaner signal without all the RF noise inherent in analog.

I'm wondering if my over air reception will improve when I go HDTV.

Don

[james duncan]

Has anyone else noticed that a digital cable box attached to an analog CRT television softens the picture detail and desaturates the color noticeably on basic cable channels? Or has my cable company provided me with a substandard digital terminal perhaps in the hope that I will want to upgrade to high definition?