2009 Change Over to All DTV

[TexasTom]

I might be wrong but isn't there a direct correlation between income and % of people using cable/satelite?
Yeah, I've gone by my share of run down houses with new pick ups, a bass boat, and a dish but correct me if I'm wrong, I believe the correlation is there.

Conventional wisdom says that there is a correlation, but I'm a bit skeptical. Aside from all the anecdotal comments that I've seen in this thread about poor people with cable or satellite (and I've seen plenty of that, too), I also know a bunch of middle class people (myself included) who are OTA-only. In my case, that's OTA digital...I tend to ignore the analog broadcasts completely, since the digital signals look so much better. While there may yet be a link between income and OTA TV viewing, the correlation may not be as simple as believed -- for example, I wouldn't be surprised to see that the cable/satellite subscription rate is higher for the poor and the well-off than it is for the middle class that falls between.

One correlation that apparently is real is a racial one: Hispanics are less likely to subscribe to cable or satellite than are other groups. Which makes sense, since it isn't like there is a huge amount of extra programming for Hispanic viewers on cable and satellite to justify the cost of a subscription.

 

[dhett]

Re: Canada?

Yes, Canada has set a "drop-dead date" for DTV. It's later than in the US, I don't remember how much later.

I thought it wasn't until 2025, but when I went to the CRTC website to confirm, I found that the webpages dealing with DTV are over 5 years old. Completely useless!

 

[WPPCProductions]

Thanks for all the info guys.I'm for the switch over but don't force the whole thing down the throat of the consumer.Hum why's Canada so far behind. Ok please help me with some info here.I have Comcast cable tv here because the tv reception is crappy in the valley where I live.My vcr's,dvd recorders are cable ready tuners in them,direct fed from the cable, I have no cable box attached to any of them, if I do , I will go broke with the box rentals alone.as of the change over date comes by.will the cable tv co will convert the digital tv signals at the hub and feed them in the same manner as I'm receiving them now.or I have to order appox 10 boxes from them and go broke in the meantime.How will cable tv will adjust to this change over.add or delete channels do to bandwidth and channel carriage.

 

[pabsungenis]

Canada's probably "behind" because of so many isolated communities, especially up in the northern reaches of the country, which would be cut off if analog signals were discontinued early.

I think the British model is better; they started their switchover this month and are phasing it in over years. Of course, Britain had digital television two years before the States had it, so they're ahead of the game all around.

 

[w9wi]

Re: Canada?

I thought it wasn't until 2025, but when I went to the CRTC website to confirm, I found that the webpages dealing with DTV are over 5 years old. Completely useless!

Their search function is REALLY bad.

August 31, 2011. (found on Wikipedia but it jibes with what I remember finding when the CRTC first released it. Sure can't find it again now!)

The decision did specifically mention isolated and Northern communities, indicating analog would be allowed to continue in those areas after the 2011 deadline.

For what it's worth, the drop-dead date in Mexico is January 1st, 2022.

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WPPCProductions:
The FCC recently decided to require cable operators to continue to deliver signals in analog format. (so you won't need cable boxes) The regulation "sunsets" in February 2012 (unless the Commission decides to renew it) and only applies to your OTA locals - the cable operator may choose to require a box to get CNN/USA/HBO/etc...

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276576A1.pdf

 

[JayR]

One correlation that apparently is real is a racial one: Hispanics are less likely to subscribe to cable or satellite than are other groups. Which makes sense, since it isn't like there is a huge amount of extra programming for Hispanic viewers on cable and satellite to justify the cost of a subscription.

Not necessarily true.

Many Spanish-speaking Hispanics do subscribe to DBS...DISH Network, in particular because DISH was the first of the two to carry a package aimed at Spanish-speaking Hispanics (DISH Latino).

The biggest selling point is the extensive soccer coverage. Most of the Hispanic subscribers to DISH Latino originate from countries where futbol (soccer) is the king of sports.

 

[WPPCProductions]

Re: Canada?

WPPCProductions:
The FCC recently decided to require cable operators to continue to deliver signals in analog format. (so you won't need cable boxes) The regulation "sunsets" in February 2012 (unless the Commission decides to renew it) and only applies to your OTA locals - the cable operator may choose to require a box to get CNN/USA/HBO/etc...

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276576A1.pdf

Thanks w9wi, I can breath alot easier now,after reading that FCC report you've posted.I called my cable company today to see what they have to say about this,yea as I figured they were blowing alot of hot air to fill the Goodyear blimp in the Superbowl, As the cable tech said I need cable boxes on all tv's and vcr's.I hope that the electronics companies have their digital recording devices "DVD Blue ray" and non set top boxes tv's ,{Digital Cable ready} sets , ready for the big change over day or years to come,hopefuly by 2009 I will have some of my equipment replaced, since my newest vcr is 8 years old,since I'm in the electronics profession, I kept my old equipment in top shape.it will hard to say goodbye to my betamax.Hahaha.

Thanks for the info ......


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