Analog TVs could get warning labels in U.S.

Analog TVs could get warning labels in U.S.
In a bid to help prepare consumers for the digital transition effort in the United States, some top House Republicans want to put Government warning labels on Analog TVs. Unlikethe many Government health warnings you can find on products, this warning would read "This TV has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after Feb. 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts."

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and U.S. Reps. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Fred Upton, R-Mich, who also sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee have introduced the idea in the form of legislation. The legislation also requires cable and satellite service providers to notify customers on bills about the upcoming digital transition.



Broadcasters would also have to file regular reports detailing their consumer education efforts and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be required to create a consumer outreach effort and also file regular updates about how many consumers had redeemed coupons for converter boxes.

The National Association of Broadcasters has endorsed the legislation. "As we draw nearer to February 2009, we welcome all pro-consumer initiatives designed to positively educate America on the transition from analog to digital television," said Dennis Wharton, NAB Executive VP of media relations.

Source:
TV Week

Written by: James Delahunty @ 25 Jan 2007 7:07
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  • 31 comments

  • techman2

    Thats Bull i have 5 TV's in my house and what is going to happen when that date hits because i won't be able to afford a box

    26.1.2007 15:54 #1

  • spiesfan

    pretty much redundant as most analog tvs sold already are labeled with a warning

    26.1.2007 16:09 #2

  • ZippyG

    That's funny. You can't afford a box but you could afford 5 TVs.

    26.1.2007 23:56 #3

  • oappi

    well atleast you dont have to buy dvb like ppl in europe. I still dont understand why ppl have to pay for dvb only to buy HDTV later on. it is just plain madness to take dvb for few years only because analog tv:s will be useless with out some damn box.. Have to admit that first comment is kinda hilarious... maybe he ment to say he doesn´t want to buy box for all five =).

    27.1.2007 00:58 #4

  • Mr-Movies

    Good reply ZippyG.

    Why do we waist money on some of these silly caution labels. If you don’t know by now that your analog TV isn’t going to work coming up soon then you’ve been hiding in a box for quit some time, this has been covered very well for the last decade or so. If you are still buying analog only TV’s then you deserve to be with out TV when the standards switch over. Also there is no guarantee that you even have TV so if you are expecting the government to provide you with one after the switch over your just acting delusional.

    On the upside though we will be seeing prices drop and better quality TV/Monitors in a couple of years when the new Laser sets come out.

    You know what they say “Don’t cry over spilt milk” bite the bullet and get over it.

    Hey I thing I'll go back to 8-Track tapes, too funny...

    27.1.2007 11:39 #5

  • Steve83

    I think the label should read:

    "WARNING: Even if you thought you could get past the greedy media companies who have managed to legislate digital broadcasting so they can monitor & limit your ability to record or even watch their programming, after Feb.17, 2009, even this POS TV that you're buying now won't help you."

    27.1.2007 14:35 #6

  • baldy43

    This is a good idea and should flow onto all countries.

    27.1.2007 14:43 #7

  • RIVER1

    Once again it just shows big buisiness is running our country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    27.1.2007 15:05 #8

  • gus738

    theirs a typo its 08 not 09 .... and for the guy with 5 tvs , how can you have have a DTV or EDTV atlest? (digital definations meaning its analoque but has digital tuner . or enhacned def ... jeez live up to the world ^-^

    27.1.2007 18:06 #9

  • craftyzan

    By 2009 those boxes will be cracked wide open.

    28.1.2007 00:39 #10

  • ispy

    You only need to buy a DVB set top box or a TV with an Analogue and DVB tuner in for use in the UK.This gives you 30+ TV and radio channels,you can if you wish subscribe to TopUp TV which gives some additional content.
    The idea of a label indicating Analogue only is a great idea.

    28.1.2007 02:45 #11

  • craftyzan

    And in the United States?

    28.1.2007 03:52 #12

  • Chaspalm

    Just a Question
    Could the guy with 5 TV's just buy one of the HD tuners and connect them together like we connect computers through networks??
    There is nothing wrong about 8 track tapes. I still own some where the music will never be put on CDs. I have mine in my Corvair. Classic doesn't always mean better.
    I chose what technology I want to update; not what big business or big brother tells me what I have to do or not within reason.
    I do own a HDTV. I own it because I want to watch a movie in wide screen. Besides, I live where you cannot receive over the air broadcast.

    28.1.2007 07:29 #13

  • Chaspalm

    Sorry, Slip of the fingers...ha

    I meant to say, Technology is not always better than the Classics.

    28.1.2007 07:37 #14

  • garmoon

    I own 5 Analog TVs myself. My 26" main TV has a great picture. It's hard to throw away a perfectly good TV. I would love to have an HD TV and I will sometime after the Super Bowl and when the new laser sets are introduced. I still own a turntable and LPs (That's records for you kids). Nothing sweeter than an analog sound off that stylus feed thru a good amp with some old timey power and a good set of speakers. I just recently tossed my reel to reel decks mainly because the tapes had deteriorated past usabilty. Some OLD technology is better than NEW technology. I also still have a usable bright red "DIAL" telephone (the hot line)that still works. You should hear the comments.

    @Mr-Movies

    What country do you live in? When the free entertainment (TV) stops and all the people on welfare and government assistance are not being babysat, then the $hit will hit the fan and the government will have to step in and give TV substities so the $2000 flat panels won't be flying off the shelves as they were in N.O. during the "Katrina Shopping Days" extravaganza! I watched it on my Analog TV connected to my rooftop antenna with my generator running, sweltering without AC. The only communications in N.O. at the time were Ham radio operators, so much for cell phones and such. LMAO



    28.1.2007 08:21 #15

  • Isenberg

    Mr-Movies says anyone who doesn't know by now that analog TVs are going to become obsolete soon deserves to screw themselves.

    I believe he makes the common mistake assuming that most people are as intelligent or as interested in technology as he is. I bet the average IQ of people on this high-technology web-site is way above 120, but the average IQ is by definition 100. That means a significant number of people buying TVs have IQs below 100 but are within the "normal" range of intelligence. Do these people deserve to be screwed because they aren't as smart as the rest of us? Do we demand that everyone be as interested in high technology as we are?

    This is all elitist. Warning labels would both help protect people who deserve protection and also spur the purchase of HDTV, which would be a good thing for everyone (because it would spur HD programming replacing normal stuff).

    We should support this labeling proposal with our congressional Representatives and Senators.

    28.1.2007 08:57 #16

  • Chaspalm

    To answer Garmoon question; I live in Fla.about 250 miles (and 10 miles to a neighbor) to the closest major city that broadcasts a signal. Those signals just don’t make it to me. I have satellite for TV and Internet.

    Can anyone answer my question that I posed earlier?? ...
    Can a single HD tuner be able to feed any more than the one?? But why you ask?? Salespeople are still pushing the older models without informing the buyers (usually the older people that don’t understand or don’t want to know today’s technology) of the changes to a digital signal in 2008. That’s BS!!

    There was a comment made about IQs. I feel that this has nothing to do with IQ’s. It’s about age. What is the average age in this forum?? Around 30. I believe that age If I'm wrong I do apologize.

    Chaspalm

    PS I still use my Dokorder 4 channel Reel to Reel. I own and use 2 mono tube amplifiers (two are needed to make stereo) for my main system. Talk about being out of date. There is nothing crisper than an analog signal. I have to have a separate tuner that I can listen to radio. That’s old school for ya.

    The late 50's, 60's and 70's FLASHBACKS, agh!! Showing my age...

    28.1.2007 10:56 #17

  • ZippyG

    I certainly don't think that...ahem..."less smarter" people (stupid?) should impede progress of technology due to their own ignorance or unwillingness to keep up with the times.

    But I don't think intelligence or IQ is the issue. TV is just like any other technology, it is evolving. How many people are still running a Pentium 233 MMX with Windows 98? You COULD still run a computer like that, but you would not be able to do a lot of things that you can on a modern PC. No DVD playback, no support for latest codecs, no support for the latest games, etc.

    In two years, the price of a set top digital tuner box will probably be < $100 anyway.

    28.1.2007 10:57 #18

  • GernBlan

    Back not too long ago when TVs were only UHF/VHF (about what, an average of 13 channels in most markets?), did they put warning labels on those TVs when cable starting becoming the standard? Nope. They just advertised them as cable ready.

    Of course, "cable ready" shouldn't be confused with "XM Ready" or "Sirius Ready", which means that your car or home tuner needs to have an expensive add-on satellite tuner in order to receive XM or Sirius broadcasts.

    I guess using the the new satellite radio "ready" label, then all TVs ever made are digital or even HD ready. All you have to do is buy an expensive box to sit on top of your old 13-channel TV and look at that -- you're now getting HD programming (in low resolution).

    By the way, I still know people who are using VCRs and only buy movies that are on VHS tapes. Actually, it's a SCAREY amount of people that are still doing that. One guy is using 3 VCRs to record all his shows -- two VHS and one...gulp...BetaMax. He loves the BetaMax and claims it provides better quality than any DVR he's seen. Yeah...uh...anyway...

    Look, in February 2009 we're NOT going to see a bunch of perfectly good TVs sitting by the side of the road. Broadcasters will never be allowed to just abandon the common folk. Remember, in America broadcast television seems to be more of a right than priviledge.

    28.1.2007 12:39 #19

  • luvshisex

    Hey Chaspalm,

    Can a single HD tuner be used to feed more than one tv? Hmm. Can your satellite receiver be used to feed more than one tv? SURE!

    Of course both tvs will have the same channel on them... Now if you want to watch two different shows you need to buy two different tuner boxes. I guess you could buy a dual-tuner tuner box but if they are going to be priced like the dual-tuner fta (Free-To-Air Rules!) satellite boxes why bother, just buy two of them it is cheaper. Also if something happens to one of them you can still watch tv.

    BTW, I think you've got to lower that average age. Lots of teens in these forums - make me feel like an old fart & I'm not even 40 yet. I'm still a pup.

    Flashbacks? Ah-Ha-Ha-Ha! Had a few of them myself. They told me when I was doing all that partying I'd have flashbacks. I replied, "Cool, man, gimme a couple more tabs then; I want to have flash-FORWARDS!"

    Corvair? Woot-Woot! I always wanted one of those rear-engined air-cooled beasts! I raced a highly-modified turbo Corvair when I still had my intercooled Buick Regal T-Type... It even kept up with me for a little bit. 'Bout the only thing that could.

    -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

    To everyone: I'm still trying to figure out why this change is mandated anyway? I mean if a tv station wants to broadcast a nifty new digital HDTV signal, great. If someone wants to see it they buy a new set. If the station ceases their sdtv then you either buy a new set or don't watch it any more. If their programming is good & you like it you change. If they really suck then you don't. Seems simple to me. But then again, why is the same station able to deny you the chance to watch a different station (same network) on satellite? If they DON'T SUCK don't worry. They cry they will lose ad $$$ if you watch a different station. If they SUCK they ought to lose ad dollars, subscribers, and the right to pollute the air on my property! But our fearless leaders seem to think they should have their right to SUCK protected. WTF? WTF?

    I remember something about "Freedom of Choice" being tooted when telling people of other nations why our cuntry (That's called a Freudian Slip, kiddies, not a misspelling.) was so great.

    Seems like all these network stations have to renew their licenses occasionally. Protest them when they try to renew based on the fact that they don't allow the freedom to choose! Let them know that it doesn't mean you would choose differently, that that would be based on the QUALITY of thier station (get loud about now) and if they don't see themselves as a low-quality broadcaster of fluff and twaddle they have nothing to worry about. Then ask them why they are worried...

    Whatever

    28.1.2007 12:40 #20

  • ispy

    Set top digital boxes in the UK can be got for as little as $50 the BBC has been having a big advertising campagn alerting people to the use of DVB Freeview.
    But I have to agree that many people are still ignorant about the forthcoming demise of analogue which is why the sticker idea would be useful.


    Dell4500 P4 2.4 ,1Gb RAM,2x120GB HD,80GB Ext HD,XP SP1, Pioneer 108D 1.20FW,109D 1.58FW 2x 110D flashed to 110 ,Ritek G05-R,s,TY's, AnyDVD,Nero,Shrink,2nd comp Asus Pundit P4 2.8 1Gb RAM programs as Dell

    28.1.2007 13:12 #21

  • craftyzan

    My trick is simply hooking my cable box to my computer...I've HD-tv. My reg TV I only use when I have my computer totally maxed out in memory and want to watch something. Hopefully by 2009, my cable company will hook up something to the TV to keep it running, and I can continue to run video into my computer. It's not a TV card, just a S-Video card that I feed video through. Cable box changes the channels. I will always probably have some kinda cable box.

    28.1.2007 17:02 #22

  • craftyzan

    My trick is simply hooking my cable box to my computer...I've some HD-tv capable programming and a HD monitor on the computer...not willing to pay for HD channels. My reg TV I only use when I have my computer totally maxed out in memory and want to watch something. Hopefully by 2009, my cable company will hook up something to the TV to keep it running, and I can continue to run video into my computer. It's not a TV card, just a S-Video card that I feed video through. Cable box changes the channels. I will always probably have some kinda cable box.

    28.1.2007 17:04 #23

  • Chaspalm

    All of you have some great ideas. I already have the equipment, but I was just wondering how I can help my parents set up multiple units. My parents house is completely networked. They just don't have HD TV. It is ED though...

    As far as calling someone stupid, ignorance or unwillingness is a bit harsh.

    I assume that you’re a "Techies" and you grew up with all of this technology. A thank you would be nice to the older generation that invented your pleasures or technology.

    Chaspalm

    28.1.2007 17:34 #24

  • Chaspalm

    Maybe call them uninformed...

    Sorry of my brian fart forgetting to finish what I was saying. I'm the older generation here!
    The differance is I want to learn.

    Chaspalm

    28.1.2007 17:37 #25

  • ZippyG

    I really don't think that the move to all-digital broadcasting is a big deal. One thing I think is being overlooked here is that DTV is not necessarily HDTV. Almost all OTA broadcast networks simulcast channels digitally in DTV, which is close to DVD quality, but in 4:3 aspect ratio - only certain shows are broadcast in a 16:9 HDTV such as 720p or 1080i at this point.

    The STB does not need to have HD capability, but as I said, by 2009 these units will be CHEAP even if they do have HD capability...like $40 per box. You can buy a good DVD player now for $50 - remember just 2-3 years ago a decent one would set you back at least $100.

    28.1.2007 17:40 #26

  • Isenberg

    to luvshisex regaarding his comment:

    << I'm still trying to figure out why this change is mandated anyway? I mean if a tv station wants to broadcast a nifty new digital HDTV signal, great. If someone wants to see it they buy a new set. If the station ceases their sdtv then you either buy a new set or don't watch it any more. If their programming is good & you like it you change. If they really suck then you don't. Seems simple to me. But then again, why is the same station able to deny you the chance to watch a different station (same network) on satellite? If they DON'T SUCK don't worry. They cry they will lose ad $$$ if you watch a different station. If they SUCK they ought to lose ad dollars, subscribers, and the right to pollute the air on my property! But our fearless leaders seem to think they should have their right to SUCK protected. WTF? WTF? >>

    The problem is two-fold:

    First, the current TV over-the-air broadcasters use up a huge amount of prime frequencies that the government needs. My moving Broadcast Channels to another frequency group it is a win-win situation: the government gets the old frequencies for things like emergency services (which need to interoperate) and the Broadcasters get much more frequencies which they can do with as they want.

    Remember this last line: no one forces the Broadcasters to actually put on one HDTV channel at highest resolution. They have multiple choices and will made that final decision based on what they see as is best for them.

    The second thing is that digital broadcasting brings tremendous advantages to people, but it can only happen if it is set up by broadcasters, cable companies, Satellite TV, all following certain standards. It is a bit like why there is regulation and no free-choice for your cable company, electric company, etc. The infrastructure requires that there be a bit of order more than in other markets. Imagine how hard it would be if there were no standards for train guages, or the size of containers that will load on container ships. Sometimes standards are required in order to make the system work.

    I know I'm not explaining this well, but capitalism requires that sometimes markets be left completely alone, and other times that there be reasonable interference to bring standards together so that things can proceed. Think how the sale and adoption of televisions would be stymied if buyers couldn't be sure that their TV would work in any part of the United States that could receive signals?

    28.1.2007 18:59 #27

  • mkezele66

    haha
    Isenberg, people here can't even spell "waste" and still botch all the their, there and they're s.
    I'd be careful about guessing the average IQ here.

    28.1.2007 19:02 #28

  • craftyzan

    If someone can make them little boxes like cable boxes, or VCR's at reasonable rates, $25 $40 to hook an anolog tv to the new system, that would be cool. Of course, if your allready hooked up to satalite or cable, I think your covered. Where I live, you have to buy something extra, otherwise you watch snow.

    28.1.2007 19:14 #29

  • solarf

    lol "watch snow" yeah its a good thing I have a HDTV but what about everyone else?

    30.1.2007 07:36 #30

  • moviegram

    Chaspalm, add me to the older generation group that gets brain cramps... and still wanting to learn, lol.
    I have a 1993 Samsung 23" tv that still works great. It may become just a movie watching tv; what am I going to do? We will get the other when we are forced to. We do have one that is ready. Who knows, maybe the Samsung will die before this all takes place.

    3.2.2007 06:46 #31

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