Is the US Ready For the Switch To DTV? 423
tonsofpcs writes "On Monday, September 8, Wilmington, NC will be the first television market (#135) to make the switch to DTV by shutting off their analog transmitters. This forum will be posting updates throughout the coming months to keep everyone updated on how the transition works so that we are all prepared come February 17, 2009. So far, it seems Wilmington will still be going ahead as planned, despite Tropical Storm Hanna's proximity."
Yes. (Score:2, Funny)
Is there something mystical and magical about tropical storms that we don't know here?
Yes. It adds drama! Just image some bold brave techs driving through the rain and wind in order to get DTV to the people!
Read with one of those voice actors saying this in your head.
The struggle. The bravery. The challenges!
Men and women fighting so that their neighbours can stay informed! Keeping them from being cut off from the rest of the World all the while batting Nature's worst! With the bonds that form between people who have gone through hell together!
Mat Damon is .... THE DIGITAL TECH!
There's a change? (Score:2, Funny)
I doubt most people are even going to notice the switch over to digital. Between cable and satellite providers relatively few are going to see the need for a digital-analog converter. On another note... Wilmington just wanted to put a simple "We did it first so we're 'technologically advanced'" stamp on a tourist brochure. Whatever and good luck to 'em (I guess).
Re:I've had cable for almost 30 years (Score:5, Funny)
Phew, on behalf of all Slashdot readers who were fraught with worry over how this would effect you, thanks for letting us know we can sleep easy.
Re:I have a feeling (Score:3, Funny)
Idiot much?
tv? (Score:1, Funny)
tv? what's tv? what do you use it for?
Re:I have a feeling (Score:1, Funny)
Re:UK is *very* different (Score:3, Funny)
Never! That's a sure way to get the TV Licence people to your door.
Re:Will they broadcast a notice? (Score:3, Funny)
I can't speak for other markets, but here in Portland at least one station recently ran a prime time demonstration. They said "Right now we are going to turn off the analog transmitter for 60 seconds. You will know if you are affected if your picture goes away."
That'd be an awesome pre-recorded commercial. Have william Shatner talking about episodes of Star Trek back in the 60's when talk about how we're stepping into the next generation, with Patrick Stewart stepping out from the side, speaking of the new way that information is relayed from person in order to speed up Federation data transmission... then have him say that without this update, all you'll see is... then throw the fake screen fuzz up.
Would be funnier, at least.
More so than theoretically real-time analog transmitter outages.