Digital TV Conversion.....Huh?

The date looms like a modern-day millennium apocalypse scenario. After February 17th, all TV transmissions over the air will cease to be “analog” (the old fashioned way). Instead, they will be “digital” (the new fashioned way). Of course, this means that you are stuck with equipment that is outdated. You thought you’d reached the end of the technology upgrade road when you bought a DVD player and began replacing all your old VHS tapes….and then something called “BlueRay Disc” comes along and makes you feel like you’re playing 8mm home movies on your set! Hey, I’m still getting used to cassettes!

The topic of Digital TV is too complicated to be fully understood-other than the following:

1) If you get TV via cable, you will likely be OK
2) If you receive TV over the air, you will need to either: a) get a converter box or
b) get a new HD TV

Waiting until after the Super Bowl was a good idea, but what TV broadcasters have known about for years (and had to invest millions of dollars in to convert per FCC order) is something that consumers have only been aware of for a few months-----and the consumer electronics industry has yet to catch up with. They kept selling the old TVs (“let’s get rid of old inventory to the ignorant public!”) and didn’t ramp up the production of the converter boxes in time to meet demand. After all, they would much rather sell you a $2,000 plasma TV than a $50 converter box.

We’ll see just how many people were indeed ready after the 17th. In the meantime, enjoy the following HILARIOUS spoof of someone struggling with all the new technology. Chances are you will see someone you know in the depiction of this frustrated consumer….maybe yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-pD-M0rY4


If you’d like to receive my blog in your e-mail each day, just let me know!
Tim.moore@citcomm.com