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FCC: Cable companies must support analog until 2012

12 September 2007 19:38 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 9 comments

While the United States prepares to switch to digital broadcasts in February 2009, new rules from the FCC for cable companies will mean some viewers with analog TVs will be fine for a few more years. The FCC voted 5-0 to require that cable operators must continue to make all local broadcasts available to their users, even if they have analog TVs.

After the transition to digital, cable providers will have two signals to work with, digital standard definition (SD) and digital high definition (HD). To keep providing for the analog users, the cable companies will have two choices, either provide its subscribers with converter boxes or convert the digital SD signal to analog SD and provide it across the lines.

The converter box option is potentially very expensive and the analog signal option means the use of more bandwidth. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association applauded the FCC's decision but expressed concerns about the special circumstances of very small systems which could face severe cost pressures by complying.

Source:
Ars Technica

Permalink to this article

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c1c (Member) 13 September 2007 6:15
Perfect reason why I haven't jumped on the HD TV bandwagon. There really isn't enough programming for it. Only really good for sports fans out there. Does any 1 know if they are broadcasting HD movies on HBO or PPV? [ + quote]
SProdigy (Junior Member) 13 September 2007 7:03
*Originally posted by c1c:* Does any 1 know if they are broadcasting HD movies on HBO or PPV? Yeah, HBO has an HD channel that broadcasts all movies in HD (unlike ESPNHD and the new ESPN2HD, which usually simulcast programming that are on the SD ESPN channels; some of the shows are in HD and some are not.) Many new HD channels have cropped up too, including A&E and NFL channel. TNT, Cinemax and Showtime offer HD channels too. The TNT HD is better at offering more HD programming than even ESPN at times. NFL channel HD is often disappointing, only offering the SD broadcasts sometimes. Just an FYI. [ + quote]
DADEO1 (Member) 13 September 2007 10:11
Can I still use my old tv and antenna until 2009? I have a little tv with an antenna I use in the car when I have to sit and wait for my wife. When all this change happens I won't be able to do this, is this correct? [ + quote]
nrkyle (Inactive) 13 September 2007 16:00
Considering the quality of what is being broadcasted in HD who would want to spend thousands to "upgrade" to receive it? [ + quote]
holla1 (Newbie) 13 September 2007 18:12
i just wanna know if i can get free pron out of the deal,holla' [ + quote]
DADEO1 (Member) 13 September 2007 19:58
Must recieve cartoons in the car. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 14 September 2007 18:48
The only way that the Governments are going to make a vast conversion rate for society to go over to digital is to make the technology that needs the digital signal affordable for everyone. [ + quote]
gmontalc (Newbie) 20 September 2007 12:42
FCC: Cable companies must support analog until 2012 It's alright, FCC.. according to the MAYAN calendar December 2012 will be the end, by then TV is no more needed, because will be no Broadcaster to transmit S#!T [ + quote]
zorb43 (Newbie) 21 October 2007 0:11
[img][color=red][color=red] *Originally posted by gmontalc:* [color=red]FCC: Cable companies must support analog until 2012 It's alright, FCC.. according to the MAYAN calendar December 2012 will be the end, by then TV is no more needed, because will be no Broadcaster to transmit S#!T [/color][/img]Very interesting gmontalc ! I am currently reading the National Geographic article in August's issue 2007. Great reading. I have also heard the the true descendants of the Maya Indians in Honduras have a blue mark on there back ... Have you heard this? Many mysteries are still unsolved to this day ... One of the biggest is weather or not the warlord "Fire is Born" from Teotihuacan who arrived in Waka in January 8th 378 was instrumental in bringing about such an advanced civilization to the Mayan world ... Fascinating reading! I have been to Chichen Itza and tried to climb one of the Monuments to see the Jade leopard. The stairs were so steep that after a few I realized that if I went to high I would have to crawl down on my behind as the hight scared the shit out of me. I could tell you exactly what would happen if someone would have tripped and fallen! Those little Indian[img][img][/img][/img] kids were running up and down to the top as if it were a few steps at a playground with protective mats underneath! Thanks for the post. Sorry if I got a bit off topic but it is great to converse with anyone who is interested in the Ancient Maya like I am. [ + quote]