The following was on Dead Channels. It also links to the original source. Digital television, also known as HDTV or “High Definition Television”, is being mainstreamed by congress and the FCC, requiring that all new televisions have HDTV tuners by July of 2007, big screen TVs by 2004.
The move is in favor of Congress’s goal for this, “sharper image and clearer sound” system to be put into wide use throughout the United States. Manufacturers complain that the installation of these tuners will increase the cost of television sets as much as $250. Powell rejected the notion, pointing out that as the devices are mass produced, the cost of the tuners will decrease significantly.
Those opposed to this move claim that the cost out weighs the benefits as 90% of consumers get their TV via cable and not over the airwaves.
Supporters of this move point out that, without this new requirement, the progress of HDTV will be forever stymied. Digital television broadcasters claim that the costs that are predicted are “outlandish and ridiculous.”
Congress is already requiring most broadcasters to make the switch from the old analog to the new digital format by 2006. 455 TV stations are already broadcasting in the digital format for the 1% of televisions sold that have digital tuners.
Congress is forcing the switch because the new format is more efficient, allowing more data to be broadcast over one channel. Broadcasters have been given a second TV channel for free to help ease costs of making the switch.
