About a year and a half ago, I heard about the federal law requiring all broadcasting to change from analog to digital on February 17th, 2009. I was skeptical when I first heard the news before I really paid attention to it, simply because I am a skeptic when it comes to technology in general-I don’t trust it most of the time.
Looking into it more, I discovered the reasons why the switch will occur. According to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html, “Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting, also known as the digital television (DTV) transition, because all-digital broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue). Also, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams (multicasting). In addition, some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers.”
According to http://www.benton.org, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps stated “…the most important part of the DTV transition is to ensure that it increases localism and diversity on our airwaves. Broadcasters will be able to air up to half a dozen different digital program streams, so here is a wonderful chance for them to get away from all the homogenized, nationalized programming that big media has foisted on us in favor of covering the people and communities they actually serve.”
What is unfortunate is that there are those who will be left behind in the switch. Maybe they’ll pick up a book or something. I have recently discovered that because I have Comcast, I am all set for the transition. There will be no book reading on my part.
Until next time.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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