Senate Approves Delay Of Television Conversion!!!
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
January 27, 2009 12:14am CST
The Senate has approved a delay for the television conversion for four months. I know that a lot of stores who were expecting a boom in sales next month are going to be quite disappointed. But I for one am happy. I am not prepared for it yet. Not saying that I will be in four months either. I do not watch much television, so it is no where near the top of my list of priorities, especially, with the recession we are in.
So were you ready for the change or were you hoping for more time. I know that people with cable had no need to be concerned about this, but some of us, have electronic fossils for televisions. I got my television for Christmas in 1996, so even though it still shows wonderfully, eventually I will need to toss it in the farthest city dump. So how are you doing t.v. wise?
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/01/senate-votes-to.htm
7 people like this
12 responses
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
27 Jan 09
We are fine with our two tv's and won't need to buy a digital box to convert them. The first one we got, we found it in our Trash area, with a note on it saying it still works fine. It's a 32" tv and even though it was very heavy to lug to our home, the turn on and off button wasn't working. We called a technician in to come and fix it ($160 later) we had a working tv. It sits in our room with basic cable and Maddy uses it when he plays his games or watches his own family movies.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I get like that sometimes too. Mind you I haven't had much of an urge to be online.
Hey it's snowing for the first time here. We just spent last 20 minutes playing in the snow LOL Matt just left for the airport too!
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I hope they don't do that. I've been ready for over a year and really want it to happen now. Some of my TV stations won't fully operate their digital signal until the deadline and I'm sick of switching back and forth from analog to digital. I first heard about them going all digital over ten years ago. And, newer TVs have been able to receive digital signals for the last 5 years. So, anyone who said that they're caught unprepared has been living in a cave.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
27 Jan 09
LOL. I'm just saying that it's not fair that the rest of us who did not procrastinate shouldn't have to wait until everything goes all digital. I mean, they had the coupons for the converter boxes came out over a year ago. My two boxes only cost me 10 dollars each and they were very easy to get. I can't help that some people procrastinate and aren't ready.
But, it's really not a big deal because it's only TV.
.
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I'm glad they've decided to delay it also, so that everyone can get their covertor box coupons. You don't have to ditch your 1996 tv, just get a convertor box for it. That is what we did with both our tv's that are that old. One was even from the early 80's and the convertor box worked great. The picture is crystal clear. With the government coupon the boxes only cost $20. It's great.
@ClassyCat (1214)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Some more of our governmental 'two-facedness.'
They say they're concerned and want to help the
middle income and low income folks - but then they
come up with this idea with the TV signals.
I'd like to know who got this started.
There are tons of elderly folks that won't have
any more TV programming after this is done, and TV
is about the only enjoyment that they have any
more.
That's the case with one of my relatives. She can't
afford the stupid converter box, even with a coupon!
And she can't afford cable either.
I heard that this was being done so the government
could use our TVs to listen in on what is being said
in our homes/offices.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Hey Rozie. I had read an article on yahoo about it yesterday. I'm kind of ready for the transition. 2 of the 3 TV's I have are ready. It's just the 3rd one that doesn't have a conversion box yet. So I don't mind waiting seeing as I have no coupon and have to dish out the full amount for one of these boxes. Now if they said that they decided not to go digital after all, I'd be upset as I'm enjoying these new stations we are getting from it.
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I am ready for the transition, but happy that there is a delay. I think the government is getting involved in too many things. Now they are in charge of whether you are able to watch TV or not. How ridiculous. The cable companies are bleeding everyone out of their money, because the service is so expensive, and those who chose not to have cable are now being pressured into buying equipment in order to watch television.
What next is the government going to get involved with inside of our homes?????
@cher8558 (425)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
Hi friend,
I too think it's ridiculous. I am so sick of the Government sticking their noses in everything where they don't belong. People who have old tvs or are working off atenaes obviously don't have money for big fancy tv or cable for that matter. How dare they dictate how we watch tv and give us no choice in being able to watch it at all.
I am one of the lucky ones and have cable and have the necessities I need. I really feel sorry for the people who don't. So now they're making watching tv and luxury as well. They are just getting out of control. I have always said it is communism in every way, every day there is something else they are dictating we can or cannot do.
Cheers,
Cheryl
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Well i am glad tohear this there are a lot of people who just can not buy a new tv,or the conversion box.Mony just is not what it once was.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
We already got digital cable. And we started to get cable when our old tv set started to turn green. First we got the big dish, and then the tv company offered digital and we got it then. We live in Canada, and I heard that our conversion for those who have the old antenna Tvs is going to take a big longer, but already people are buying the convertor sets. The last time I was in the cable office to pay our monthly bill there was a long line up of people getting their boxes.
And I heard that when once you got stations for free, you now have to pay for them. Doesn't seem fair, does it?
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I got my t.v. in 1996 too but it is hooked up to cable so it is fine.I am not sure the networks are ready for the loss of viewership that is going to happen with the conversion.I answered a post where a My Lotter said that in her condo they can't have outside antennas so they either have to get cable or the converter boxes. Most of her neighbors are selling their t.v.s.I had a feeling that trying to get Everyone to pay for t.v. would backfire.We who have cable , may or may not see network t.v. when we have 100 more channels to pick from. And people with computers can see their favorite shows online. So what is to happen to th rest if they can't afford the converter boxes? what is going to happen to their ratings?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Figures! LOL--here I am all set and ready for the conversion and now they are postponing it. I had to give up cable TV some years ago to cut down on expenses, and frankly without cable TV tends to be boring, just about the only thing I watch is a bit of news and Oprah. I did manage to get one of those govt coupons and only paid $10 for my converter..so I've got everything all set up. I have to admit the picture is clearer now, but maybe since not all the stations have both analog and digital signals there are a few stations I can't get now..Like the PBS ones. As for how old my TV is...think mine is as old as yours maybe even a tad older
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I'm glad they decided to postpone it. Even though we do have cable and all of our tv's are cable ready. It will save me some money when I move in the next month or two. My daughter, where I'm moving to temporarily, has cable, but not in the room I stay in when I go to visit. But, I don't really watch that much tv, so it will still be fine for my tv with antennas to watch the news at night or whatever show I watch in the evenings.
@daylstone (126)
• Philippines
28 Jan 09
but we need to think of the bigger picture... the analog signals that will be freed because of the conversion will be used for emergency cases like 911...
But I also agree that this is not the time to impose this, we are all losing our jobs and the tv is the last thing that we would want to worry about...
comcast is offering their DTV for less than $5 i think
the government is offering stubs so that we can purchase their converters
@bamiofar (104)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I think all you have to do is get a cable box, put it right on top, have the cable guy plug it in and you are golden. 1000 channels instantly.
:?)
