For the last time... TV is NOT a right.

[sactoking]

Originally posted by: rbV5
So whats the big deal if they delay the switch?

Maybe I'm wrong, but looking at the local OTA guide it looks like the digital stations are already all broadcasting, there are 3 moving to a different channel, but its still the same lineup after the switch as it is now.

So what am I missing?

It's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals than it is to broadcast 1.

And while the signals are still being broadcast analog, the spectrum can't be sold/used for other things. So it's opportunity cost.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife
Whenever the word "tv" is mentioned, you know 2 or 3 people will pop in and tell us how great their life is because they don't own a tv.

Yeah how can someones life be great if they can't watch American Idol, Biggest Loser or Big Brother?

There's a lot of crap on TV but there's also a lot of great programing on TV that's worthwhile.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: sactoking

Originally posted by: rbV5
So whats the big deal if they delay the switch?

Maybe I'm wrong, but looking at the local OTA guide it looks like the digital stations are already all broadcasting, there are 3 moving to a different channel, but its still the same lineup after the switch as it is now.

So what am I missing?

It's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals than it is to broadcast 1.

And while the signals are still being broadcast analog, the spectrum can't be sold/used for other things. So it's opportunity cost.

I wonder why it is more expensive to broadcast the same thing over both digital and OTA if it is the same content. It can't just be the power requirements. They had to buy the digital equipment anyway for the switch, so how is leaving the analog stuff on for a while cost anything more than what they already would've had to pay? (just curious) Is there extra manpower involved?

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: sactoking

Originally posted by: rbV5
So whats the big deal if they delay the switch?

Maybe I'm wrong, but looking at the local OTA guide it looks like the digital stations are already all broadcasting, there are 3 moving to a different channel, but its still the same lineup after the switch as it is now.

So what am I missing?

It's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals than it is to broadcast 1.

And while the signals are still being broadcast analog, the spectrum can't be sold/used for other things. So it's opportunity cost.

They've been broadcasting OTA DTV/analog for years here before they needed to. Are broadcasters required to wait, or could they go digital only if they wanted to?

I thought the spectrum was going to public agencies for emergency broadcast use, is that going to be auctioned or just allocated? I work for a fairly large local government, but I've heard nothing about new broadcast equipment or 2way radios yet. We're still using the same dispatch system and the same radio broadcasts for our SCADA systems as well.

I could see some issues if agencies are chomping at the bit... waiting. Otherwise...big deal, right?

 

[sactoking]

I'm no expert. I would imagine it's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals in a nominal sense due to power costs, maintenance of equipment, etc. Again, from an opportunity cost perspective, every hour spent on analog equipment between the target date and the new date is a cost of the delay.

I have no clue what this particular spectrum is to be used for. If it's sold, then the longer we delay the 'less' it's worth. If it's used for something like emergency broadcast use, the longer we delay the longer we don't have this emergency resource available to us.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: rbV5

Originally posted by: sactoking

Originally posted by: rbV5
So whats the big deal if they delay the switch?

Maybe I'm wrong, but looking at the local OTA guide it looks like the digital stations are already all broadcasting, there are 3 moving to a different channel, but its still the same lineup after the switch as it is now.

So what am I missing?

It's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals than it is to broadcast 1.

And while the signals are still being broadcast analog, the spectrum can't be sold/used for other things. So it's opportunity cost.

They've been broadcasting OTA DTV/analog for years here before they needed to. Are broadcasters required to wait, or could they go digital only if they wanted to?

I thought the spectrum was going to public agencies for emergency broadcast use, is that going to be auctioned or just allocated? I work for a fairly large local government, but I've heard nothing about new broadcast equipment or 2way radios yet. We're still using the same dispatch system and the same radio broadcasts for our SCADA systems as well.

I could see some issues if agencies are chomping at the bit... waiting. Otherwise...big deal, right?

A portion of the spectrum (I can't remember if that portion is part UHF or VHF - one is deemed more valuable) has been reserved for public agencies to expand communications. The 'more valuable' elements of the spectrum were auctioned off for private sector use.

I worked on some SCADA systems in the early 1990s. We thought we were hot sheet. Never really got all the funds we needed to do everything we wanted but got enough to free up a couple of full-time guys - all they were doing before was cruising around checking on some of our craptastic pumping stations and a couple old package treatment plants that were converted to industrial pretreatment.

 

[Red Dawn]

:music: I want my MTV :music:

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: rbV5

Originally posted by: sactoking

Originally posted by: rbV5
So whats the big deal if they delay the switch?

Maybe I'm wrong, but looking at the local OTA guide it looks like the digital stations are already all broadcasting, there are 3 moving to a different channel, but its still the same lineup after the switch as it is now.

So what am I missing?

It's more expensive to broadcast 2 signals than it is to broadcast 1.

And while the signals are still being broadcast analog, the spectrum can't be sold/used for other things. So it's opportunity cost.

They've been broadcasting OTA DTV/analog for years here before they needed to. Are broadcasters required to wait, or could they go digital only if they wanted to?

I thought the spectrum was going to public agencies for emergency broadcast use, is that going to be auctioned or just allocated? I work for a fairly large local government, but I've heard nothing about new broadcast equipment or 2way radios yet. We're still using the same dispatch system and the same radio broadcasts for our SCADA systems as well.

I could see some issues if agencies are chomping at the bit... waiting. Otherwise...big deal, right?

A portion of the spectrum (I can't remember if that portion is part UHF or VHF - one is deemed more valuable) has been reserved for public agencies to expand communications. The 'more valuable' elements of the spectrum were auctioned off for private sector use.

I worked on some SCADA systems in the early 1990s. We thought we were hot sheet. Never really got all the funds we needed to do everything we wanted but got enough to free up a couple of full-time guys - all they were doing before was cruising around checking on some of our craptastic pumping stations and a couple old package treatment plants that were converted to industrial pretreatment.

Well, the private sector portion may be getting a little ansy then if they have a financial stake then, I can see that being a problem.

Our system is quite large serving a few hundred thousand customers now....and rurally located on the supply side. We have large remote reservoirs and some partially attended treatment facilities that the SCADA serves data to and fro and its not the most robust network, but doesn't have to pass a whole lot of data, so it works. We are now on fiber on much of the transmission side.

 

[Moonbeam]

This being Anandtech and all, I'm a bit disappointed nobody has told me what the best converter box is I should get. I'm seeking to upgrade a 27 inch Panasonic old style tube TV. Not sure what the processor is or if it even runs dos. Hoping to stay in the 50 to 60 dollar range or 10 to 20 out of pocket because I have my coupon.