Although, to my knowledge a simple Google/Yahoo search on "DTV Switch" yielded several pages that emphasised the OTA broadcasts as the only signals shutting down. But yes, it is always vital to look into any news item that receives this degree of hype, to make certain the cable and satellite companies have told you everything.
A note of strong importance to emphasize with the the digital conversion, the FCC mandate is for "Over-the-Air" (signals received via TV antenna) broadcasters to go all digital this year. The scare campaigns that cable networks are running should be taken with a grain of salt, because cable and satellite subscribers will not be affected by the digital conversion, they are not included in the mandate.
Something else to consider, if anyone tells someone who has to upgrade or get the converter box that they need a special antenna, they're a swindler. The "over-the-air" broadcast range is being reduced to free up spectrum for emergency services and so on (digital signals don't need the bandwidth that analog signals do so more will fit into less RF space), so standard TV antennas will receive the signal just fine.
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 01/03/09 | Reply
@CosmicSailor:
Exactly.
Although, to my knowledge a simple Google/Yahoo search on "DTV Switch" yielded several pages that emphasised the OTA broadcasts as the only signals shutting down. But yes, it is always vital to look into any news item that receives this degree of hype, to make certain the cable and satellite companies have told you everything.
CosmicSailor
Otaku Eternal | Posted 01/03/09 | Reply
A note of strong importance to emphasize with the the digital conversion, the FCC mandate is for "Over-the-Air" (signals received via TV antenna) broadcasters to go all digital this year. The scare campaigns that cable networks are running should be taken with a grain of salt, because cable and satellite subscribers will not be affected by the digital conversion, they are not included in the mandate.
Something else to consider, if anyone tells someone who has to upgrade or get the converter box that they need a special antenna, they're a swindler. The "over-the-air" broadcast range is being reduced to free up spectrum for emergency services and so on (digital signals don't need the bandwidth that analog signals do so more will fit into less RF space), so standard TV antennas will receive the signal just fine.