The 258-168 vote failed to clear the two-thirds threshold needed for passage. It's a victory for the GOP members, who warn that postponing the transition would confuse consumers.
The House Republicans say a delay also would burden wireless companies and public safety agencies waiting for the spectrum that will be vacated by the switchover, and create added costs for television stations that would have to continue broadcasting both analog and digital signals for four more months.
The defeat is a setback for the administration of President Barack Obama and Democrats on Capitol Hill, who fear too many Americans won't be ready for next month's analog shut-off. The Nielsen Co. estimates more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not prepared for the transition. People who subscribe to cable or satellite TV or have a newer TV with a digital tuner will not be affected.
"In my opinion, we could do nothing worse than to delay this transition date," said Joe Barton of Texas, the top Republican on the House Commerce Committee. "The bill is a solution looking for a problem that exists mostly in the mind of the Obama administration."
Barton led the push to scuttle the bill, which passed the Senate unanimously on Monday night.
The Obama administration had no immediate comment on the House vote.
Congress in 2005 required broadcasters to switch from analog to digital signals, which are more efficient, to free up valuable chunks of wireless spectrum to be used for commercial services and interoperable emergency-response networks.
But the Obama administration called for the transition date to be postponed after the Commerce Department earlier this month hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for coupons to subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. The coupon program allows consumers to request up to two $40 vouchers per household to help pay for the boxes, which translate digital signals back into analog ones for older TVs. The boxes generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the arm of the Commerce Department administering the program, is now sending out new coupons only as older, unredeemed ones reach a 90-day expiration date and free up more money. The NTIA had nearly 2.6 million coupon requests on a waiting list last week and those people will not receive their coupons before Feb. 17.
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( 2.9 / 112 )A recent e-mail asked my why WLIO was seen all the way up in Defiance, but the person in Defiance could not see the Toledo stations. There are many reasons.
1) Most antenna that are installed are woefully out of date, in disrepair, or were not installed correctly. See the link at the right called "Antenna Installation".
2) Some stations use a code called PSIP to trick the DTV receiver at your house to report a different channel. This is OK if a station is channel 30 and they are going to 31 digital but still reporting 30. But if a station is going to 40 and they report 9, then you have a problem. 9 is VHF, and you're expecting to use a VHF antenna. But they are actually on 40 and that's UHF! You need a different antenna. When in doubt, use a COMBO antenna, otherwise do some research and find out what channel the station is REALLY transmitting on.
3) The reason that WLIO gets out so well is that we're a VHF station. We now serve three times the coverage area that we did with channel 35. We're on channel 8, and that's VHF.
4) If you are trying to get WLIO digital, and you don't have a VHF antenna, don't expect miracles. We are at full power. We are getting out all the way from Perrysburg OH to Piqua, and from the west side of Fort Wayne to the east side of Marion. If you are in that circle, and can't get us.... check your antenna.
This was a story in one of the trade magazines. It really does not apply to WLIO, but does apply to other stations.
DTV signals aren't as robust as NTSC, leading to a number of consumer complaints:
http://tinyurl.com/DTVDisappointments
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( 3 / 99 )FCC announces major DTV call center contract for IBM:
MS Word File;
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 8049A1.doc
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( 3 / 104 )Despite backlash from the House, the Senate nears a deal for the June 12 DTV switch date. Senator Hutchison (R-TX) is now satisfied that June 12 would be the final date-certain:
http://tinyurl.com/Rock-sDelay
http://tinyurl.com/HouseBacklash
http://tinyurl.com/DTVJune12
Note: The comments had to be deleted because of some inappropriate comments made.
Please, if you would like to comment, we do want your opinions and questions.
But please do so without any vulgarities. All IP addresses are logged.
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( 3 / 107 )The following is a letter from F.C.C. Commissioners Copps and Adelstein on the DTV Transition.
FCC Document# DOC-287974A1
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( 3 / 110 )NIGHTLIGHT PROGRAM APPROVED
The FCC has adopted the Analog Nightlight Program which allows pre-approved full power analog TV stations to remain on the air for up to 30 days after the DTV transition. DTV-challenged viewers will then be able to receive emergency and DTV transition information via the analog signals from these so-called "nightlight" stations. Summary + Details:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 7915A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 09-2A1.doc
(MS Word Documents)
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( 3 / 140 )"It seems as if the only people in American who are unprepared for the Feb. 17 transition to digital television are advisers to President-elect Obama."
Viewpoint article from Broadcasting & Cable
On the other hand, Commission Democrats, including the likely acting chairman come next Tuesday, have given Congress a host of reasons to delay the DTV transition date, saying preparation has been inadequate across the board.
The Obama team urges passage of a DTV delay bill.
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( 3 / 124 )On the one hand, Hawaii's early DTV switch appears to be proceeding smoothly, calling into question whether the Feb. 17 switch date for the rest of the U.S. should be postponed:
http://tinyurl.com/DTVHawaiiOkay
Are we ready here in Ohio?
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( 2.9 / 112 )JUNE DTV SWITCH DATE IS DEFEATED - BUT EXPECT ANOTHER TRY
Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would delay the nationwide DTV switch until June 12, but Democrats say they will try again this coming week.
The bill was defeated even after President-elect Barack Obama urged Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 transition. In other news, the congressional wheels are turning to free-up more money for the stalled DTV Converter Coupon program.
Click for STORY
Click for VIDEO
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( 3 / 115 )Circuit City is to liquidate its inventory. But keep in mind that in doing so, you may get a deal, but you may not have a way of solving any warranty problems.
Circuit City failed to reach a deal with creditors and lenders over the sale of the company.
Circuit City will liquidate its assets and close its stores,
(Reuters News Service)
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