Digital TV

When you first purchase a television, many people do not realize the capabilities unless something is going to be removed, such as the analog signal. The best place to go to check on your television, would be to the manufacturer’s website. Digital tuner’s have been part of every *new* television since it was required of them in 2004. In 1998, they were starting to be installed in every new television until it was required for every television after 2004.

If you’re more hands on with your television, you could always check to see if you have an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC.” In any case, you will likely have tried to see if you get a signal without anything, getting the answer you were originally looking for. Good luck in your quest to find out if you television has a digital converter already or not.

With new signals come new coverage area’s. New technology is being used and tested on a day-to-day basis, all for the digital transition. If you are someone that lives on the outskirts of a major city, and only use the rabbit ears, there are many area’s that will start getting coverage, as well as other area’s that will actually stop receiving any coverage.

Throughout the next few weeks, all the channels will be undergoing many different changes if you’re receiving the analog signal. During these next few weeks, it will be more and more clear as to whether or not you will be able to receive the channels. I am providing you a link to a list of states of what changes in coverage you will have.

DTV Markets

I had someone ask me about every single change that will take place because of the conversion, and it was brought up about how the V-Chip would be affected. Many people do not realize the signals embedded in the signal that your television gets, and how progressive television technology has become. The signal that the V-chip receives in order to determine what rating it is, is automatically embedded in the signal itself.

Once the V-chip was developed, many companies that make televisions were required to provide the option in the menu of the television. The exact quote from this FCC website states “half of all new television models 13 inches or larger manufactured after July 1, 1999, and all sets 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 1, 2000 must have V-Chip technology.”

Needless to say, the V-Chip will not be affected in any way when the conversion or transition takes place. In many cases, if you subscribe to a local cable company and have one of their digital boxes already, they should have some sort of parental control feature already. I hope this helps you parents!

Don’t let the grind of your daily life get you down. Stay Strong, and have fun!

As you go about your daily life, keep your mind on the things that make you happy. Without being happy with who and what you are, you are setting yourself up for failure in your endeavors through life.

Throughout the years, everyone gets caught up in one thing or another that will always drag them down. The point to this blog is to emphasize the point on relaxing. Television does provide an outlet to relax, but, everyone needs to find the one thing that makes them truly happy, and spend the time necessary to be happy about themselves. So, relax, poor yourself a cold drink, and enjoy yourself!

     When I started work today, I never realized the intense day I would have until after I spoke with five different customers about one major issue that is affecting many people local to me. I learned how in-depth the contracts are between a provider for a show and the company that someone pays to provide.  On a more recent, specific note, Viacom and Time Warner Cable are currently undergoing contract negotiations to allow channels to air.  Viacom is pulling out all the stops to get the message across that those channels are in limbo, and the cable companies are working with their customers to assure them that they will be updated as to the outcome of the negotiations.

       To be more specific about the Viacom/Time Warner situation, Viacom wants to increase what they charge for having those channels with Time Warner, but, Time Warner does not want to lose money, thereby forwarding the cost to the subscriber.  Time Warner does not want to increase anybody’s bill, so, they are in dispute of a 22% - 36% increase that Viacom is requesting.  Viacom does not deny the small percentage increase.

      Needless to say, everyone is not informed as to the intricate details into getting contracts re-negotiated, and there are over 100 contracts that are re-negotiated throughout the year without customers being aware.  It’s unfortunate that the falling economy may affect how some of us watch tv. 

Update: An agreement was made between Viacom and Time Warner. At midnight, there was an agreement to extend the contract talks. Soon after the extension, there was an agreement made. In the next few days, the details are going to be hammered out between the two companies. In the meantime, customers will still be able to watch their regular programming. This is fortunate since in the past, Viacom has done this with EchoStar Communications (Dish Network) back in March 9, 2004 for a similar disagreement. The difference is that the channels were/are still available with Time Warner.