The DTV (short for digital television , also called digital broadcast ) transition in the United States is a transition from analog ( traditional methods of transmitting television signals) for digital broadcasting exclusively from free over-the-air television programs. According to David Rehr, then president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, this transition represents "the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced." For the full-power TV stations, the transition took effect on June 12, 2009, with stations ending regular programming on their analog signals no later than 11:59 pm local time of the day.
Under the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, full-fledged analog television broadcasting in the United States was originally planned to cease after 17 February 2009. To assist US consumers through conversion, the Act also established federal government-sponsored DTV. Coupon Program Converter Box.
The DTV Delay Act converts the analog cutoff date is mandatory to June 12, although stations are allowed to discontinue analog transmission before the new mandatory cutoff date. The law came into effect on February 4, 2009, and on February 11, 2009, President Barack Obama signed it into law. The purpose of this extension is to help millions of households who have not been able to get coupons for converters because the demand for coupons exceeds the funds provided in the initial bill, leaving millions on the waiting list to receive the coupon. Funding for additional coupons was awarded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. At midnight on the original cut-off date of February 17, 2009, 641 stations representing 36 percent of US broadcasters transmit exclusively in digital.
The analog broadcasts did not stop completely after the June 12 deadline: under the terms of the Short Term Analog Flash and Emergency Preparedness Act, about 120 full power stations briefly maintained the analog "light night" service, ending no later than July 12. Separate categories, low-power television stations were allowed to continue analog broadcasting for several more years.
On July 15, 2011, the FCC posted the transitional deadlines required for low-power televisions. Stations broadcasting on channels 52 through 69 were required to empty the channels on December 31, 2011, and all analog television transmitters (especially low-power stations (LP), and low-powered A-Class (-CA), as well as broadcast translators. (TX) translators/repeaters in rural communities) were requested to close on 1 September 2015. On April 24, 2015, it was announced that the conversion date for LPTV standards and the translator still broadcasted by analog has been suspended until further notice, economies that may arise from the upcoming spectrum auctions; however, a low-powered A-class station is still required to convert by the original deadline on September 1, 2015. After the auction is completed in 2017, the FCC announced on May 17 that year that all analog low-power stations and transmitters must be converted by July 13, 2021.
Video Digital television transition in the United States
Mandat kongres
Congressional deadlines for the transition to digital broadcasting were pushed back several times. Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 with the original switch date on 31 December 2006. However, the transition to television was digitized three times: first until December 31, 2008, then until February 17, 2009, and finally to June 12, 2009.
All US full-power analogue TV broadcasts are required by law to expire on June 12, 2009. As of March 1, 2007, all new television sets that receive over-the-air signals, including pocket-sized portable telephones, personal computer video tuner card, and recorder DVD, has been asked to include a digital ATSC tuner. Prior to this, the requirements began gradually with larger screen sizes. Until the transition is complete, most US broadcasters transmit their signals in analog and digital formats, although some are just digital. The digital stations are transmitted on other channels, assigned to each full-power broadcasting in the selection of three-lap digital channels.
The transition from the analog NTSC format to the digital ATSC format was originally to be completed on February 17, 2009, as established by the Congress in the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. Following the analog switch, the channels allocated FCC 52 to 69 (band 700Ã, MHz) for other communications traffic, completing the reallocation of 52-69 broadcast channels beginning in the late 1990s. These channels were auctioned in early 2008, with winning bidders taking ownership in June 2009. Four channels from this broadcast spectrum section (60, 61, 68, and 69) were held for reallocation to public safety communications (such as police, fire extinguisher, and emergency rescue). Some remaining free frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers, such as the use of UFF 55's UHF channel plan by Qualcomm for its MediaFLO service.
For US cable television, the FCC voted 5-0 on September 12, 2007 to require operators to provide local broadcasts for their users in analog. This requirement lasts until 2012, when the FCC will review the case. This is necessary because many cable companies, including large corporations like Comcast, have taken analog channels from customers.
In 2007, a bill in the US Congress called the DTV Border Restriction Act was introduced. It will allow all television stations within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the Mexican border, in areas such as San Diego and the Rio Grande Valley, to keep their analog signals active for five years. The bill passed the Senate but did not pass from the House.
The SAFER Act was adopted by Congress and signed by President Bush in December 2008. This law is called the "analog night light" action, and allows analogue stations on channels that do not conflict with post-transition digital stations, the option of abandoning the analogues. transmitter for an additional 30 days, but only to provide disaster information and information about the digital transition.
Due to lack of funds from the Department of Commerce to provide additional coupons to converter boxes, and due to other potential problems, Barack Obama's transition team requested Congress on January 8, 2009, a letter to delay the end of analog TV. Gene Kimmelman of the Consumers Union, who wants a delay, fearing the elderly, the people outside the city and the needy need help. Speaking to a group of residents of the area as part of a national campaign to persuade people to upgrade, chairman of the FCC, Kevin Martin said in Raleigh, North Carolina that the delay was "impossible," and it would be "unfair" to all those who made an effort to switch, and to those who buy the reallocated spectrum sold with analog broadcasting comprehension will end February 17, 2009. Delays pass by Congress despite this prediction (see Renewal of the June 12 transition).
Maps Digital television transition in the United States
Transition test
The market test of Wilmington, North Carolina
As part of a test by the FCC to clear the transition and acceptance concerns before the national closure, all major networking stations in Wilmington, North Carolina markets stopped their analog signal transmission on September 8, 2008, making it the first market in the country to go digital only. Wilmington was chosen as a test city in part because the position of digital channels in the area will remain unchanged after the transition. Wilmington is also right as there are no hills that cause reception problems and all stations will have UHF channels.
Low-energy CBS affiliate WILM-LD signed a new digital signal in time for the transition. This test excludes the UNC-TV/PBS WUNJ station, which stores their analog signals, as they are the official channels of emergency information in the area.
Viewers are notified of changes by month of public service announcements, city hall meetings, and local news coverage. Only 7% of viewers are affected by the loss of analog broadcasts, the rest are subscribed to cable or satellite services, but this generates 1,800 calls to the FCC for assistance. Officials are concerned with these implications for larger markets or those who rely on air broadcasts exceeding 30%.
More annoying, while many calls from viewers are a direct question about installing antennas and converters, or the need to scan channels before they can watch digital television, hundreds more coming from viewers who have correctly installed UHF converters and antennas but are still missing the channels. The most affected is the full-power announcer who has been on the low VHF channel. WECT (NBC 6 Wilmington), a signal that in its analogue form reaches the edge of Myrtle Beach, is no longer acceptable to many people who have watched the station for years - victims of a move to UHF 44 at a different transmitter.. WECT coverage area has been much reduced; for many people who are on the periphery of the analog NBC 6 signal, WECT no longer exists. But a few weeks earlier, the new WMBF-TV digital just, the new NBC affiliate, came into the air to serve Myrtle Beach with a city-class signal; such as WECT, WMBF is owned by Raycom Media.
On November 7, 2008, the FCC issued an order allowing distributed transmission systems to be built by stations that otherwise could not mask their original analog traces with their new digital channels and facilities. Although presenters can now apply for DTS facilities, this decision was made too late to allow additional transmitting sites to be built and operational prior to the close of the original February 17, 2009 analogue.
Impact
Digital TV encoding allows the station to offer higher definition video and better sound quality than analog, as well as enable programming options for multiple digital sub-channels (multicasting). However, it provides this advantage at the expense of limited broadcast coverage.
Digital signals do not have a 'class b' signal area, and either 'in perfect' or 'not at all'. Furthermore, since most stations have chosen to use UHF instead of the older VHF channel allocations, their actual broadcast range is much less than before. Viewers in large metropolitan areas are unlikely to see a problem; However, rural TV users generally have the most and in some instances all the stations they previously received with received but not 'perfect' signals fall into the digital gap (since the loss of signal has been described).
Finally, many low-powered broadcasters have been temporarily allowed to transmit analogue for several years.
Consumer awareness
Although Britain spends the equivalent of over a billion dollars educating about 60 million people, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has received $ 5 million annually before the initial transition date of February 17, 2009, and the FCC has received $ 2.5 million and is scheduled to receive $ 20 million more at the end of the year, for 300 million people. This means a voluntary education campaign will be needed. It is also noted that low-income, elderly, disabled, urban, immigrant, and rural Americans are the most targeted, as these groups primarily watch analog TV antennas more than any other group.
While broadcasters are forced by Federal Communications Commission regulations to devote the equivalent of over a billion dollars of broadcast time for public service announcements about the digital transition, the amount of information conveyed in this short ad is due to limited needs. Both on-air announcements and government-funded telephone hotlines that receive viewer requests lead consumers to Internet sites to search for information, a problematic approach, as many of those most affected do not use online media as the primary source of information.
Obsolete equipment
Older analogue consumer televisions, VCRs, DVRs, and other devices that do not have a digital tuner no longer receive over-the-air television broadcasts, although previously recorded content can still be played back. The only real solution for this is to buy an external tuner (called a converter box) that receives the DTV signal directly and converts it to analogue for a television VCR or other analog device.
Users of analog VCRs, DVRs, or other recording devices that do not have a digital tuner have unique problems because they can not record programs on multiple channels. To make it work with the DTV viewer must use an external tuner box and set the device to record the output of that box, usually L-1 for line input. Some manufacturers like Zinwell and Dish sell an external converter box/tuner that will automatically change the channel at the specified time. Analog or DVR VCRs can record at a predetermined time but will continue to record L-1 channel input, which will be the same channel unless the channel is changed manually.
Or users can buy a new TV, DVR, or DVD recorder with built-in digital tuner. However, this new technology has its own drawbacks, such as there is no way to keep long-term programs (DVRs) or limited to 1-2 hours with high-quality XP mode (DVD-R).
Service loss
The main concern is that the broadcasting technology used for ATSC signals called 8VSB has problems receiving signals inside buildings and in urban areas, mostly due to the problem of multipath reception which causes ghosting and fading in analog images, but can cause intermittent or no reception signal in all on the ATSC program. DTV broadcasts show a digital cliff effect, where the viewer will receive a perfect signal or no signal at all with little or no middle ground. Digital transmission does contain additional data bits to provide error correction for a limited number of bit errors; once signal quality declines beyond that point, the recovery of the original digital signal becomes impossible, and the screen image freezes, or flashes back and forth to completely empty black.
The maximum power for the DTV broadcast class is also much lower; one fifth of the legal limit for the previous full-power analogue service. This is because there are only eight different states where 8VSB signals can be at one time; thus, like all digital transmissions, very few signals are needed at the receiver to decode it. Nevertheless, this limit is often too low for many stations to reach many rural areas, which is a conjectural benefit in the FCC's choice of ATSC and 8VSB over worldwide DVB-T standards and its COFDM modulation. Additionally, without hierarchical modulation of DVB, the signal loss is complete, and there is no shift to a lower resolution before this occurs.
A hundred-kW analogue station on TV channels 2 to 6 will be faced with the option to lower power by 80% (to the twenty-kilowatt limit of low VHF DTV) or to leave the frequency it occupied since the 1950s in to send more power (up to 1000 kW) on the less crowded UHF TV band. However, such stations can store the same channel number due to an ATSC virtual channel. Unfortunately, higher frequencies are challenged in areas where signals have to travel long distances or face significant terrestrial constraints. Most stations in the low VHF (channel 2-6) do not return to this frequency after the transition. Approximately 40 stations remain at VHF low after the transition, with the majority in smaller markets (with some notable exceptions). The FCC has long played down the digital allocation of low VHF channels for several reasons: higher ambient noise, interference with FM radio (channel 6 bordering FM at 88 MHz), and larger antenna size required for this channel. After the transition, many viewers using the "high definition" antenna have reported the problem of receiving stations broadcast on VHF channels. This is because some new antennas that are marketed as "HDTV antennas" from manufacturers such as Channel Master are only designed for channel 7-51 and are more compact than their 2-69 channel counterparts. This producer does not anticipate the extensive use of a relatively long long wavelength VHF channel.
The stations broadcasting analogously on channel 6 have the added benefit of having an audio feed broadcasted at 87.7 MHz, which is at the very bottom of the FM radio. Thus, many stations using channel 6 have taken advantage of this, and directly promote this feature, especially during drive newscasts, and as an important information channel in markets where bad weather (like hurricanes) allows profit stations to broadcast their audio via an FM radio without having to contract with other FM operations to do so. WDSU in New Orleans, Miami WTVJ and WECT in Wilmington, North Carolina is one of the most famous Channel 6 broadcasters using this approach to provide emergency information during storms.
Digital television, however, does not have this feature, and after the transition, this additional acceptance method is no longer available. WRGB, channel 6 in Albany, New York, uses a separate transmitter on 87.7 that transmits vertical polarized analog audio signals, which would theoretically avoid interference with horizontally polarized digital TV signals. This will allow the station to store audio at 87.7 FM after the transition to digital. WRGB runs this transmitter for approximately 6 weeks experimentally, only to find that a vertically polarized 87.7 MHz signal interferes with digital video, while analog signal broadcast at 87.9 MHz meets with FCC objections. WITI in Milwaukee took a more direct approach though still experimental to restore their TV audio, after it was restored in August 2009 to the HD Radio sub-channel from WMIL-FM through a content agreement with WMIL owner Clear Channel Communications. The purchase of HD Radio equipment or having a car stereo equipped with an HD Radio receiver is required for listening to this broadcast.
Planning for DTV reception is assumed to be "a properly installed high-gain antenna, mounted 30 feet in the outside air." The Consumer Electronics Association established a website called AntennaWeb to identify ways to provide the correct signal reception for audiences watching over the air. Another website, TVFool provides geographic mapping and signal data to allow viewers to estimate the number of channels to be acquired or lost as a result of the digital transition; while it is estimated that fewer stations will be acquired than lost by viewers, this varies greatly with viewers of low VHF analog signals in far-flung regions among the most affected. An estimated 1.8 million people are expected to lose the ability to access full over-the-air TV as a result of the digital transition.
Viewers in rural and mountainous areas are particularly vulnerable to losing all reception after the digital transition.
Problems
There are 80 media markets where over 100,000 households receive television signals through over-the-air broadcasts.
Reallocate frequency
The reclamation channel will be used for various services, including cell phones, MediaFLO (55) and public safety (63/64 base, 68/69 mobile). Much of this cellular spectrum has been sold to existing service providers, with AT & amp; T Mobility and Verizon as the biggest bidder (see 2008 US wireless spectrum auction).
The removal of UHF channels, not VHF channels like around the world, precludes the use of band III (High VHF) for Digital Audio Broadcasting as used in some other countries. It also makes it harder to reassign channels 5 and 6 (76 to 88 MHz) to expand FM radio broadcast waves. There are also no channels set aside for analog broadcasts from the Emergency Warning System, which makes portable TV emergency useless. While a small number of portable ATSC sets have started to appear, this is expensive. Portable converter boxes (such as Winegard's RCDT09A) will require large external batteries and cellular ATSC not yet available. Another option for people would be to get a USB-based TV tuner card for their laptop computer, which in addition to low cost became a popular choice after Microsoft released Windows 7 four months after the DTV transition ended.
Google-sponsored program called Free the Airwaves has started with the purpose of using empty space "blank" in remaining TV for unlicensed use, such as for Wi-Fi.
In March 2008, the FCC requested public comments on changing the bandwidth currently occupied by analog television channels 5 and 6 (76-88 MHz) to broadcast FM band broadcasts when the transition of digital television would be completed in February 2009 (eventually postponed to June 2009). This proposed allocation will effectively establish the appropriate frequency with existing Japanese FM radio service (which starts at 76 MHz) to be used as an extension to existing North American FM broadcast bands.
On August 22, 2011, the United States Federal Communications Commission announced the freezing of all future applications for broadcasting stations requesting to use channel 51, to prevent any interruption of the canal adjacent to Block A of the 700 MHz band. Later that year (on December 16, 2011), the Canadian Industry and CRTC followed in placing a moratorium on future television stations using Channel 51 for broadcast use, to prevent near-channel interference to Block-A from the 700 MHz band.
Digital-to-analog converter
Now that the switch from analog to digital broadcasting is over, the analog TV is not capable of receiving over-the-air broadcasts without the addition of a set-top converter box. As a result, digital-to-analog converters, electronic devices that connect to analog television, must be used to enable television to receive digital broadcasts. This box can also be called "set-top" converter, "digital TV adapter" (DTA), or "digital set-top box" (DSTB).
Coupon program
To assist consumers through conversion, the Commerce Department through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) division handles household requests of up to two $ 40 coupons for a digital-to-analog converter box from January 1, 2008 through toll-free numbers or websites. The program is paid for a small portion of the $ 20 billion taken from the DTV spectrum auction. However, this government coupon is limited to an initial amount of $ 890 million (22,250,000 coupons) with an option to grow to $ 1.34 billion (33,500,000 coupons), which is much shorter than the estimated 112 million households (224 million coupons exchangeable) in the United States. However, not every household takes advantage of the offer, as reports indicate half of all households already have at least one digital TV. In January 2009, NTIA began placing coupon requests on the waiting list after the program reached the maximum allowable funds. New requests for coupons are met only after the coupons that have not been redeemed expire.
This coupon can be redeemed for purchase of a digital-to-analog converter in brick and mortar, on-line, and phone retailers who have completed the NTIA certification process. Retail price for boxes ranges from $ 40 to $ 70 (plus tax and/or shipping); after applying the coupon, the price for the consumer will be between $ 5 and $ 40 per box. Because it is actually used as a payment, despite the name of "coupon", the consumer pays the paying state and the local sales tax on the number of coupons, which essentially reduces the value by about $ 3 (based on 7½% tax).
There is likely evidence that the presence of government coupon programs has increased the price of converter boxes between $ 21 and $ 34 on what will happen.
Extension of transition to June 12
DTV Delay Act
On January 21, 2009, Senator Jay Rockefeller introduced a bill in the Senate entitled DTV Delay Act because millions of Americans would not be ready for a cutoff on February 17 due to a shortage of converter box vouchers, and planned that the transition date to be moved to June 12. Rockefeller, chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transport Committee, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, worked together on the bill. Hutchison endorsed the idea because Rockefeller had no intention of asking for another delay. On January 22, the Nielsen Company said 6.5 million Americans were not ready to switch. Opponents point out that TV stations will face additional operating costs, and those who pay to use the available spectrum must wait.
Under subsequent amendments, the station may elect to terminate the analog broadcast before June 12 even though the bill is passed, and any frequency freed by such action may be used by the fire department and the police and other emergency services. Those whose converter box coupons have expired will be allowed to apply for new coupons. The House of Representatives adjourned the same bill (by House Committee of Commerce Energy and Commerce Henry Waxman), until the Senate version was completed.
The Senate unanimously voted on January 26, 2009 to delay the transition of digital TV until June 12, 2009. However, the House voted and defeated the same measure on January 28. Rep. Joe Barton leads the movement in the House to beat the measure, saying that "DTV transitions are not trapped or broken", and that problems with DTV transitions can be improved. Barton also said, "I assure you, no matter when you set the date - February 17, June 12, July Fourth, Valentine's Day - there will be some people who are not ready."
On January 29, the DTV Delay Act was passed on to the Senate. On February 4, the DPR also approved this step.
The bill was submitted to President Obama on Feb. 4, which did not immediately sign it into law. On February 9, President Obama posted the bill at whitehouse.gov, giving the public five days to weigh it. Under the Feb. 10 midnight deadline imposed by the FCC, the broadcaster reveals whether they will still stop broadcasting the analog signal on the original date of February 17, or if they will delay until June 12, should the DTV Snooze Act be signed into law. On February 10, the FCC published the list. 491 stations stated that they intend to transmit on 17 February. The FCC says that which stations will be allowed to transition on February 17 and which stations will be required to resume analog broadcasting, depending on how many viewers in each market have been determined not ready for the transition Held & amp; The stations are operated from five major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and Telemundo, plus The CW, MyNetworkTV and independent stations owned by Fox's CBS and MyNetworkTV stations), and Gannett, Hearst-Argyle, and Meredith, to keep all or most of their analog signals active until the new June 12 cutoff date. On February 11, 2009 President Obama signed the bill into law, officially moving the cutoff date to June 12, 2009. In total, 191 stations have their analog transmitters turned off for good.
On February 20, 2009, the FCC released an order stating that stations wishing to use all digital before the last June 12, 2009 must notify the FCC of such decisions on March 17, 2009.
Although 93 network stations and stations owned and operated by big cities (controlled by CBS, ABC, Fox TV and NBC) will continue analog broadcasting until June 12, many broadcasters in small markets can not justify the additional costs, with non-commercial stations and independently strongly affected. No funds are provided to replace broadcasters who incur additional charges due to the DTV Deferment Act.
CEO of Public Broadcasting Services Paula Kerger estimates a $ 22 million fee for state PBS member stations to extend simulcasting through June 12; more than a hundred PBS stations were finally selected to remain on the original deadline. Several groups of individual commercial stations, notably Sinclair Broadcast Group and Gray Television, shut off most of their analog signals on original deadlines. Others leave questions to their respective local stations. Many of the local markets, from Burlington, Vermont, and Sioux City, Iowa to San Diego, lose analog signals from most or all major US stations. Several coastal stations like Fort Myers, Florida have chosen not to wait until June 12 to ensure the transition is complete before the hurricane season.
In some cases, the Federal Communications Commission forces stations to resume full-power analog broadcasts at least one local news release and information about digital transitions for an additional sixty days - a costly step for individual impacted broadcasters. Of the 491 stations that have indicated their intention to go digital only in February 2009, 123 affiliates of four major US commercial networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC) were subjected to opposition from the Federal Communications Commission, blocking or imposing additional restrictions to their analog signal closure in a market where the only analogue service left after the closing of February 17 will be an independent broadcaster or education, an adjacent market station or a low power station. Of the approximately 1800 full-service US TV stations, an additional 190 has been digital only before February 2009; These include Hawaii (digital since January 2009) and Wilmington, North Carolina (FCC 2008 digital test market), as well as several new stations and some broadcasters who were forced to shut down analog early due to technical issues.
On April 12, Nielsen estimated that 3.3 million households were still not ready; major problem markets (according to FCC and NTIA) including Albuquerque, Baltimore, Cleveland, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Fresno, Houston, Brownsville, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, Portland, Oregon, Tulsa, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Francisco Bay Area, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
Nightlight
On February 11, 2009, the FCC announced it will allow 368 of 491 applicable stations to go all-digital on the original February 17, 100 of which will be allowed to use their analog signals to inform viewers not ready for a new transition date, or for emergency situations such as bad weather (called "spotlights"). The FCC concluded that 123 other proposing stations present "significant risks to substantial public hazards," if they use all digital on February 17. The FCC stated "We consider the presence of key networks and affiliates important to ensure that viewers have access to local news and public affairs available in the air as major network affiliates are the main source of local news and public affairs programming." The FCC will not allow 123 stations in the "risky" market to continue unless they declare with an agent by 6 pm ET on 13 February that they comply with eight additional terms, including ensuring that at least one station currently providing analog services to areas within the DMA provides DTV transition and emergency information, as well as news and public affairs programs ("nightlight") for at least 60 days after 17 February.
On Feb. 13, the FCC said 53 of 106 applied at risk stations were eligible for all-digital use on February 17. 43 others are eligible for night light services; 10 other people can not comply with night light clause. The number of stations that became digital only on 17 February was 421.
Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
House Republican Joe Barton of Texas, who strongly opposed the DTV Delay Act (see above for more details), introduced a bill that would include $ 650 million in DTV transition assistance to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to be used to make more coupon converter boxes available and for DTV education, which is strongly supported by the Obama administration. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed with this revision in the House of Representatives with a vote of 244-188 on January 28, 2009, and the Senate passed the bill on 10 February with a 61-37 vote.
The congressional negotiators announced on February 11, 2009, that they have reached an agreement on a $ 789 billion economic stimulus bill. President Obama signed the latest $ 787 billion into law on February 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The latest version includes DTV provisions.
While the economic stimulus bill does allow additional funding for coupons, there is also a risk that retail stock from the converter box itself may prove inadequate. The Consumer Electronics Association has estimated that three to six million boxes remain stocked in early February 2009; Nielsen Media Research reported five million households as "completely unprepared" for the digital transition in the same time period. The average US household uses 3 television screens. However, the converter box coupon program only allows 2 coupons per household.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also allocates funds for expert installation services for those who switch to DTV.
The FCC provides contracts to several companies to provide expert installation services.
Problem with final transition
Initial problem
On May 1, 2009, Nielsen Media Research reported that 3.1% of Americans are still not ready for the transition. On June 11, 2009, one day before the analog closing, the National Association of Broadcasters reported that 1.75 million Americans are still not ready.
971 TV stations made the final switch to digital on June 12th. Believed Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Austin, and Dallas will be the least prepared markets, but this does not seem to matter, as most of the difficulties are in the Northeast. , especially with stations that change their digital frequencies from UHF to VHF.
On June 13, 2009, the FCC said their help line, with about 4,000 phones answered, received 317,450 calls on June 12. About a third of the callers still need a converter box, and a fifth has reception problems. Acting Chairman of the FCC Michael Copps said, "Our work is far from over, this transition is not a daily affair."
In New York City, about 11,000 people called the FCC for help, mostly from all markets. The other areas most frequently contacted by the FCC are: Chicago (6526), ​​Los Angeles (5473), Dallas-Fort Worth (5473), and Philadelphia (3749). 900,000 calls received at all.
The National Association of Broadcasters says 278 TV stations receive 35,500 calls, but most callers only need to do a scan.
The Commerce Department said 319,900 requested coupon converter boxes on June 11, almost four times the average over the previous month.
SmithGeiger LLC says 2.2 million homes are not ready yet, while Nielsen says the figure is 2.8 million. This includes homes that have requested coupons. On June 14, Nielsen said the number is 2.5 million, or 2.2 percent of homes. That number dropped to 2.1 million, or 1.8 percent, on June 21, and 1.7 million, or 1.5 percent, a week later. One month after the transition, the number is 1.5 million, 1.3 percent, and after almost 2 months, the number drops to over one million, or 1.1 percent. As of August 30, 2009, the number was 710,000, as 572,000 had been increased in August and 1.8 million since June 12.
In some cases where digital frequencies are being moved, people are advised not only to re-scan but to "double-scan", to remove outdated information from digital TV or converter box memory.
Calls to the FCC dropped from 43,000 a day in the week ended June 15 to 21,000 the following week. The receipt problem, representing almost a third of the calls at first, fell to one fifth.
On June 15, 2009, US Representative Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat, introduced the House version of The Digital TV Transition Fairness Act, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders in December 2008. It will require a video service provider to offer a $ 10 base package to whom even. who lost at least one channel to DTV conversion (with broadcaster broadcasting fees), paid for outdoor antennas (including installation) and extended the converter box program beyond July 31. It did not pass.
VHF and digital television frequencies
One of the most common problems is the return of VHF frequencies by stations that have used them when they are analog. More than 480 stations broadcast digitally on the VHF spectrum after the transition, up from only 216 on the previous frequency. Many of the antennas that are marketed for digital TVs are designed for UHF, which is used by most digital stations. VHF analog signals travel further than UHF signals, but controlled digital VHF signals seem to have a more limited range than UHF with lower power assigned, and they do not penetrate buildings as well, especially in big cities. Mike Doback, vice president of engineering for Scripps Television, said, "Only now has we discovered a planning factor that might be wrong in terms of how much power you need to replicate analog services." According to TV consultant Peter Putman, the problem with receiving VHF is that the VHF antenna must be large to be effective, and the indoor antenna is not working properly enough. In addition, channels 2 through 6 are more susceptible to various types of interference. Richard Mertz from Cavell, Mertz & amp; Partners say multipath intrusion in the home is also a factor. Some receivers can handle this problem better than others, but there is no standard. And with a reinforced antenna or amplifier, it is possible to overload the converter box. Amplifiers can also cause noise to be interpreted as data. Raycom Media Chief Technology Officer Dave Folsom said, "There is nothing wrong inherently with VHF, it's just easier to have a nuisance, because it goes further."
The FCC sent additional personnel to Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City to face difficulties in those cities. WLS-TV has received 1,735 calls only at the end of the day on June 12, and an estimated 5000 calls in total on June 16th. WLS-TV is just one of the stations that can solve the problem by increasing the signal strength, but doing so is necessary to ensure no other stations are affected. A low-power analog station, no need to shut down after 30 days like other night light stations, broadcast news broadcasts that can not be seen by some after the transition, while the station is trying to solve the problem.
In Philadelphia, most of the problems are on WPVI-TV, which has a leading news program in the area, and WHYY-TV public stations. Many people who have difficulty with the station can pick up stations from Reading and Atlantic City. Unlike WLS, WPVI has concerns about signal upgrades due to potential interference to other stations and FM radio.
In New York City, many call the FCC because they live in an apartment building with a single roof antenna unsuitable for digital reception. The city reported a shortage of antennas and many requests for cable services.
By the end of June, four stations have received permission to increase power. Ten other stations ask for increased power too, but this is not in big cities; instead, markets are in rural or mountainous areas such as Montana, Virginia, and Alabama. KNMD-TV in Santa Fe tried an alternative VHF channel.
The FCC has two concerns about demand for greater strength: some stations simply want a competitive advantage and do not really have trouble. Other stations want UHF frequencies instead because UHF works better with digital mobile TV. However, some stations with legitimate problems have requested to return to their UHF frequencies.
Two months after the transition, the "two or three dozen" stations continue to experience problems. Three months after the transition, about 50 stations have proposed an increase in electric power.
"About half a dozen stations" still decide in late October about what to do. In some cases where the station returns to UHF, interference to nearby stations prevents power increases.
Ironically, KUAC-TV in Fairbanks, Alaska moved from channel 24 back to channel 9 in September 2009. The area never had UHF before DTV, so most people have VHF antennas, while some people live in apartment buildings. The higher power required for UHF costs too much, and channel 24 has a signal problem, so the station is asked to back off.
Of the 79 stations that requested new channels, 22 wanted to go from VHF to UHF, and 10 wanted to go from UHF to VHF.
Evaluating transitions
On June 30, his first day as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a speech that the transition "went far beyond expectations, you do it by working together with each other across agencies, and with the Department of Commerce and other parts of government, and by creative thinking to take advantage of all available resources. "
However, the FCC is planning a report on how well the transition works, and Genachowski acknowledges that more work is needed.
Genachowski's predecessor, Michael Copps, called the process
A major transition with significant impact on consumers that was not until the last moment was adequately planned for or coordinated. [It was] a transition that led to a very predictable problem and one that we moved measurably from January to June for the benefit of many consumers. But that's not a closed book. This is in progress. There are still issues out there, lessons to be learned and documents to write.
Low-powered stations
In September 2010, the FCC announced a proposal to set a hard deadline by 2012 for low power stations to broadcast in digital, although this deadline was not adopted.
On July 15, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission issued a final verdict on Broadcast (TX), Low-powered (LP), and low-powered A-class (-CA) translators, requiring analogue transmitters to be shut down on September 1. , 2015. Transmitters on channels 52 through 69 are required to clear their channels by December 31, 2011, but may remain analogue on other channels until the September 1, 2015 deadline. As part of the rules imposed, low power VHF stations on channels 2 to 6 can transmit with a maximum ERP of 3 kW instead of the previously allowed maximum of 0.3 kW.
On August 13, 2009, the Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) announced in a statement that they will close after 20 years of representing LPTV stations. One of the reasons given is the cost required to counter "strict rules that make Class A and LPTV industries aware of their potential," including a campaign to require analog passthrough, a converter box feature that allows digital and analog television to be viewed on older TVs. Amy Brown, a former executive director of CBA, said, "about 40% of Class A and LPTV station operators believe they should close next year if they are not helped through the digital transition." On April 24, 2015, the requirements for a broadcast (TX) and low-powered (-LP) translator to be converted on September 1st that year were suspended, awaiting the upcoming auction of the spectrum. After the auction is completed in 2017, on May 17 of that year the FCC announced July 13, 2021 as the new analog low power closing date.
Reallocation of spectrum
The study of how to increase the spectrum for wireless broadband began in 2009. Some plans are calling for the elimination of TV broadcasting entirely, but opponents of the plan say efforts made during the DTV transition will be useless. In 2010, voluntary efforts have been planned. The sharing channel, made possible by the first transition, is approved in 2012. A spectrum auction planned for 2014 (and pending until 2016) becomes the first step in what constitutes the second digital transition.
References and notes
See also
- Co-converter boxes that qualify coupons
- North American television frequency
External links
- PBS Story DTV from Chicago Affiliate (WTTW)
- DTVAnswers.com: What you need to know about the transition of June 12, 2009 to DTV.
- National Association of Broadcasters
- DTV Transitions
- Consumer-oriented FCC sites
- FCC regulatory information on DTV transitions
- The Federal Coupon Program
- Full Text of DTV Delay Act from WhiteHouse.gov
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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