TVYou may have already heard, but on February 17, 2009, Federal Law will mandate that all full-power broadcasting stations must discontinue use of analog broadcasting and commence with digital broadcasting. Meaning the five channels that you receive through the aluminum “configuration” on top of your TV will no longer be available in that scratchy, snowy picture we all grew up to love. You are now forced to watch clearer pictures with better sound. Aw, shucks.

Our governments reasoning for this all-of-a sudden digital transition, is that not only is it more efficient and productive for consumers, but it will clear up overly populated frequencies to be used for public safety, i.e. police, fire dept. and also for the provision of advanced commercial wireless use for consumers.

Now if you already subscribe to digital service you have nothing to worry about. For those of you still receiving over-the-air transmission, a television with a digital receiver preinstalled or a digital to analog converter box will be necessary. As of March 2007, all television receivers shipped within or imported to the United States must contain the digital receiver or visibly state that it does not include the digital converter as stated by congress. The label would look something like this:

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.

This has brought up a lot of concerns within the public. Many people have already complained that being forced to purchase such items for a service they never asked for is unconstitutional. Contrary to popular belief, some people only use their TV’s to watch the news. A service they received free of charge with the purchase of their television. It seems somewhat absurd to force these people into buying something they didn’t want , or need, in the first place. Some people are claiming this as a communist-esque movement.

This might be the first time in my generation that I’ve seen the government forcibly push its society to advance technologically. I mean, when have you ever heard the U.S. say “to hell with eight tracks, we’ll make everyone use cd only!”? Never, because it’s never happened.

In my opinion, I believe this to be exactly what the U.S. populace needs. Improved services provided to us by our government. The only thing that irks me about the whole thing is the unnecessary cost to the public. They made the choice, we pay the price. If Congress were to tell me that this digital transition includes a free digital to analog converter, for those of us who don’t subscribe to digital, then I’m completely and utterly sold by the idea. Until then, I’m sticking to my constitutional rights on this one. Should a TV broadcasting station wish to use analog signal for those of us still living in the eighties, then they should be allowed to do so in this free nation. That is all. Good day.