Mark -
In the U.S. the turn to digital has meant (so far) a high definition
primary channel and one or two secondary digital channels which are
standard definition. For the most part, the additional channels have
been shopping channels or networks retreading old, mostly forgotten
television programs. One problem that exists here with digital that
probably is less of a problem if one at all in the UK, is service to
areas outside the cities and immediate suburbs. For that reason, the
majority of viewers get their television via cable (about 60% give or
take) or satellite (about 30%), leaving only 10% receiving their tv
terrestrially over the air. Because cable and satellite companies
are not required to carry anything other than the primary broadcast
channel, there isn't much incentive for the broadcasters to invest
significant effort in their secondary channels. The complaint of the
10% will be less reliability as digital is much less forgiving of
interference and other factors than analog. If your in the
hinterlands, snowy pictures are better than no picture at all.
There are actually two digital transitions taking place here--the
broadcast one mandated by the government that goes into final effect
on the 12th and one being implemented by cable television providers
voluntarily (although clearly dictated by business considerations) to
increase efficiency in spectrum usage and offer more and more high
definition services which are clearly in demand and for which the
public has demonstrated it will pay a premium. The complaint with
this transition comes from subscribers who up to now have been able
to just plug the cable into the back of their sets and watch analog
television without need for a converter. The switch to digital
renders their older, perfectly well functioning analog televisions
unable to display digital television without the rental of a
converter at roughly $8 a set per month. Many people have two,
three, even four or five sets in their homes. Outfitting those sets
could cost them significantly more dollars a month than they're
paying now.
While cable television systems here offer specialized digital music
packages, neither broadcast nor cable nor satellite television uses
their spectrum to deliver radio services.
John Figliozzi
On Jun 10, 2009, at 2:55 PM, Mark Hawkins wrote:
Interesting that the US view of digital TV is disappointment.
In the UK digital terrestrial television is standard definition,
not high definition but it offers extensive text services and some
degree of interactivity. It obviously doesn't compare well to the
Internet as an information source in terms of breadth but it would
meet most of the promises in that article.
It also includes some 10's of radio channels (including World
Service - a nod towards the topic here !)
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought North America had used
digital TV to introduce High(er) Definition TV so there was less
capacity for additional services.
The UK is perhaps a quarter of the way through a phased digital
switch over and there seems to be surprisingly little complaint here.
Mark Hawkins
On 10 Jun 2009, at 15:04, Richard Cuff wrote:
On the eve of the eve of the digital cutover...
See
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/09/
AR2009060903144.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
or
http://snipurl.com/ju2o6
Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA
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