Will we be ready for the Feb 2009 Digital Transition

[Peter Parker]

What do you think

 

[ciwsguy]

I said yes, but it really depends. I am ready for digital now, but some won't be, especially those who don't understand WHY they have to do the transition. I think afterward, those non-digital folks will be happy with it, but there will be pitfalls getting there.

ciwsguy

 

[navychop]

Most people won't even notice.

 

[Peter Parker]

It isa topic that elicitsa lot of pasion. I am learning that.

 

[jgantert]

My biggest concern would be how the broadcasters are going to handle it? Locally (Balt/DC area), analog is almost never out. Digital on the other hand, goes blank, has audio issues (wrong audio feeds, not Dolby Digtial, audio dropouts), wrong PSIP info, wrong clock info & guide info embedded in the signal. Plus signals that don't always have the correct channel mappings (32-1 is sometimes 33-1).

There's a big thread about DC OTA on AVS, and several local tech people that work for the stations post on there. It's not all that uncommon for them to say something like our XXX device hung, and needed to be rebooted, that's why XXX problem was happening.

Hopefully digital TV will be more stable next year, but I doubt it as the stations have already purchased their equipment and are not likely to upgrade again.

-John

 

[voomvoom]

I voted "Dumb Question We Are Ready Now"....

But, it would not surprise me to see the FCC change the Cut-Off date, to give more time to the stations that won't be ready.... and there will be some stations that won't be ready....???

 

[mdonnelly]

I don't know if "we" are ready now, but "I" am ready now.

 

[navychop]

I voted "Dumb Question We Are Ready Now"....

But, it would not surprise me to see the FCC change the Cut-Off date, to give more time to the stations that won't be ready.... and there will be some stations that won't be ready....???

The FCC can't change the date. It's embedded in law now.

 

[dodge]

I am ready now, I was ready 2 yrs ago as well.

 

[JIGGIEFLY]

I am ready as of 6 months ago when i had to redo a bunch of stuff figured no sense on spending my money twice.

 

[ronniejay]

I am ready now, I was ready 2 yrs ago as well.

Are you concerned about your voom boxes? I am about mine and my toshiba tivo boxes.

 

[Peter Parker]

I thought that VOOM boxes wee digital. Why would you be concerned about them?

 

[ronniejay]

I thought that VOOM boxes wee digital. Why would you be concerned about them?

Yes, they are digital. They function both as a HD receiver and as a converter box, The software in working activated boxes is old, never having been updated since voom went out of business. They can only be used for OTA reception now. Some brodcasters' multiplexor equipment to pack program info into the signal cause the voom box to loop in a reboot mode. Nobody can fix them. The problem may spread to many channels.

 

[charper1]

WE are ready; those that care. It affiliates that need to get their heads out of their asses.

 

[ronniejay]

I thought that VOOM boxes wee digital. Why would you be concerned about them?

They are digital. They serve well now for OTA HD receivers. Could be used for converter boxes. The software has not been updated since voom went out of business years ago. Some PBS and CBS channels cause the box to loop in a reboot mode. This is caused by some equipment they use to send program info, etc. along with the signal. No way to fix and it may spread as they gear up.

sorry for repost - did not see my 1st.