You missed it. It happened on March 1st and barely a word was written. No tears were shed. No pronouncements or prognostications about the future of TV.
As of March 1st, 2007, companies are restricted from importing analog TVs from foreign countries or trafficking in interstate commerce of analog sets. Bottom line, is that retailers of Analog only TVs aren't allowed to buy any more to sell. Analog TVs are now officially dead.
DOA gone.
You can still buy tube TVs, but they must have over the air digital tuners (ATSC). So if BUTVS (big ugly TVs) or LUTVS (little ugly TVs) are your fashion passion, you are in luck. The problem for the B/LUTVs is that the incremental cost of the ATSC tuner makes it pretty stupid to buy one of those instead of a flat panel or HDTV compatible TV of some sort.
So if you have any intentions of buying a new TV in say the next.....forever, may i suggest that you also call your local cable or satellite provider and ask for HDNet and HDNet Movies. Best to get the most out of your new TV :)
If you arent familiar with the Digital TV transition, you may want to check out www.dtvtransition.org
And just as an aside, the most fun to be had with the Digital Transition will come from watching cable, satellite and telco video providers battle it out over consumers trying to figure out how best to receive HDTV signals. The next 705 days will be some of the most consumer friendly price wars and amazing special offers rule the day.
Goodbye Analog TV
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. I don't see forcing digital programming on the public as an evil issue. The only problem with it, is that it will force people who haven't upgraded their televisions in the last decade to spend money where they didn't have to previously.
The move is probably right on schedule in my opinion. I've owned an a 47" hdtv for over a year, but I was just able to receive OTA signals about 3 months ago (OTA service in Keller was crap, and I wasn't going to pay DirecTv $350 for an upgraded hd-dish). I don't watch SD signal broadcasts now, unless I'm forced to. I watched the Mavericks on channel 21 last night and the picture was brilliant.
HDTV is the future, but unfortunately it'll cost a lot of people a lot of money.
Posted at 4:19PM on Mar 15th 2007 by JL Jenkins
3. I wonder if I'll do anything when the analog signal turns off in '09 -- I only get broadcast analog TV now.
I used to watch MNF pretty faithfully. When it moved to cable (ESPN) I thought for a few seconds about ordering some pay service, but never did anything about it. And Mondays don't seem any worse for the loss.
So I'll think about getting a digital converter box (the ones the feds will subsidize to make cheaper -- yeah, right!) And I'll think some more about ordering a pay service. But if I had to make a bet, I'd put my money into recycling my TVs and doing something more worthwhile than sitting in front of the boob tube.
Posted at 4:22PM on Mar 15th 2007 by William Reeder
4. OK, I admit I'm probably stuck in the 1950's, but what is an analog tv? Is it one of those televisions that has a huge back end? Are you saying that we will only be able to buy flat panel or high definition televisions? Thanks.
(And so sorry about the game last night. The Mavs were great (and so were the Suns). Wish I could say the same about the zebras.
Posted at 4:40PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Pam
5. eventually we'll say bye bye to any screen-real direct tv so to speak. A tiny beam shot into the back of your eye with pinpoint accuracy, delivering a total vision override and a 'picture' as clear and sharp as light can deliver. Mmm now that's good future!
Posted at 5:28PM on Mar 15th 2007 by E.L.
6. Mark,
Thanks for the tip on this I missed it. Im going to use it on my show here at 3;30cst
Wouldnt imagine you would like to be a guest on the show someday would you?
Andrew
Coffey
mn1.com
Posted at 5:42PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Andrew Coffey
7. Hey Mark, I didn't see a thread on this, but I watched Nothing But Trailers today and I saw that the movie Color Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story will be released simultaneously in the theatres and on HDNET Movies, and on DVD a few days later (or week, I forgot). In any event, you talked about this some months ago, giving people the choice of where/how they want to watch a movie, and I think you're making the right 1st step. I can't bring myself to go to a theater anymore with a 62" TV and surround sound at home (with theater seats). What's the point of standing in lines, dealing with brats, expensive food, etc? Great job!!
Posted at 5:50PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Lamarr Wilson
8. Nice HD Net plug. ...to tell you the truth I love it. When I watch TV, I tune to HD first. My only question to you Mark, is how long will HD Net be able to justify its existence? Right now you do have some great programs, but you are the only programmer without SD linear carriage. What if programmers move to an all inclusive charge for their SD distribution and HD…and the HD Tier essentially goes away. Where will HD Net end up? A-la-carte? I know that you are saying, why would the big guys just give the HD away, but they need to start justifying their rates to the MSO’s….when they are pushing the once quasi exclusive content to the web. All and all, I think HD Net has a bright future, but I would continue to tie up content rights….(sports).
Posted at 5:51PM on Mar 15th 2007 by andy davis
9. I already watch entirely digital entertainment. Through YouTube.
Sorry Mark, no HDNET for me.
Posted at 5:52PM on Mar 15th 2007 by superdave
10. thats great mark. i'd love to watch HDNet. Too bad Time Warner Cable did another 'realignment' of channels. Now the only HD content I get on my 65" DLP and HD/DVR box are the same channels I can get OTA and Discovery HD. You may want to talk to them about this one. I HAD HDNet, UHD, INHD and something else at one point. one day i wake up and poof, gone. TWC reps tell me I can get them back for a mere $3/ month. Sorry guys, it's not the $, it's the principle.
so long HDNet, we hardly knew ya.
P.S. Still waiting for dish's 100 HD channels to materialize too. so many promises, so little content...
Posted at 6:16PM on Mar 15th 2007 by jasonS
11. Thats ok, them big ugly TVs will be available at pawn shops for years to come. Come to think of it, so with the flat screens.
Posted at 6:42PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Tim
12. What is your opinion of internet movies? Disney head is marketing Vuguru. Eisner and his oversized Goofy head has failed with Topps and is now trafficking Vuguru.
Posted at 6:53PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Jeffrey Todd
13. Dare I say, I'm unimpressed with HD so far. One word - compression.
Posted at 7:28PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Lifesrichpageant
14. My mother-in-law is going to be pissed when her TV burns out. At least she'll have to finally own up to buying a good television and visits will be more bearable.
Posted at 7:37PM on Mar 15th 2007 by microwaves
16. Television technology keeps advancing, quality content less so.
Posted at 10:02PM on Mar 15th 2007 by KindAndThoughtful
17. Mark: My dad is having issues getting HD access using Tivo with DirecTV. The hardware isn't, in my opinion, the problem - it's the software. I know DirecTv no longer supports Tivo, but I don't understand why DirecTV would "lockout" Tivo, having such a popular reputation among consumers. I just don't get it...
Posted at 10:26PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Aaron
18. Well, I sure hope there is a price war. I recently cancelled my Adelphia/Comcast service because it went up to $70/mo for digital basic. Two days later a Comcast guy came to my house and asked if I had DirectTV (since there was a cable from the previous renter). He said he could offer me cable for $33/mo for 6 months. I told him about my cancellation and disgust with the cost. He said there wasn't anything he could do for me...so I guess the battle hasn't gotten too heated yet.
If they only offer limited time deals then maybe I'll have to do what I used to do whenever a long distance company would call and ask if I wanted to switch. I always said yes...sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. Eventually they stopped calling.
Posted at 10:54PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Gnasche
19. Brent? Books are free? Really how often does th book fairy visit only when you've lost a tooth. I get both HDNet and HDNetMovies as part of my package even with RCN who penny pinch on everything else (the whole NFL tv channel debacle would be interesting to read Marks views on that whole mess).
Posted at 12:11AM on Mar 16th 2007 by Oisin
Next 20 Comments
1. quick question for ya mark,
We did the HD transition in our house probably 6 months ago and after about 4 months of cable service, we got so fed up with the customer service with cable we started looking at the dish, we had cable for probably the last 20 years and had always held off, but Time Warner didnt have HDnet or HDnet Movies or actually a bunch of HD channels that dish network had. We had to go with the satellite provider that offered the most HD channels. Im not a salesman so make sure every1 that you your research 1st before you sign up or keep you current provider in your HD transition. Anyway after a good bit of research we made our choice. Who is your cable/satallite provider? And whats with the directv ads saying they are promising to add 100 HD channels? When is that? I have found that the most frustrating part about having and spending the money on HDTV is the lack of programing and channels currently available. When can we expect HD programing to rival what cable currently is?
PS: Why dont i get every Mavs game in HD? If every mavs game were in HD it would be a huge hit with HD subscribers. Like the cubs and braves were with WGN and TBS when cable was in its infancy. I just see so little HD programming available currently, that if a team like the mavs had every game broadcast in HD, it would be a smash hit.
Posted at 4:10PM on Mar 15th 2007 by Jay Slick