Meeting # 3 From Analog to Digital

The Tampa Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and Hillsborough County Television held the Digital Television Public Awareness Seminar on November 12, 2008. The meeting was held to educate the community about the transition from analog to digital television. On February 18, 2009 every television in America will officially be digital. Many say this transition will be bigger than the transition from black and white to color. Now televisions will have enhanced color and clarity, as well as a new world of channels.

From the National Association of Broadcasters, Robin Oxford is the Director of State Association and Membership Outreach Government Relations. Oxford opened the meeting by explaining the transition in detail. She explained the upgrade in sound and picture, but also spoke about the roll digital television will play in our community. I have heard of digital television, and like most I recognize the improvement, but until then I had no idea that digital television will create thousands of new channels. Digital will allow for more local programming which will be more representative of the society in which we live. Commercial industries will no longer be the gate keepers of information and opinions. With digital television, diverse view points will be easily transmitted. This will affect everyone; however, the benefits for lower-class residents can not be overstated.

In relation to expanding realities, one topic that was not addressed was the issue we have been discussing in class. With more channels, people will be increasingly drawn to sources that agree with their already existing positions. Viewers will be more easily capable of creating their own perception of reality which might further segregate our society. Though information sent through digital television may not be false, the pure amount of different sources stands as a conflict that we face in every aspect of our lives as digital media enhances convenience and consumer power. The double edged sword is not unlike the dilemma created by the internet. On the one hand, overwhelming sources of information pull people apart as they learn how to back up and misconception they may have about reality. However, the internet also brings people together through use of blogs for example. The internet, and digital television, may cause issues, although they also have the potential to educate people about each other. By learning about one another’s’ culture we are essentially coming closer together.

Oxford also spoke about digital freeing up the spectrum for other uses. With the transition to digital television, more sources will be available for wireless services. Digital will help limit dropped calls and reach communities in rural areas who otherwise would have poor access to television. Digital will also reach inner-city markets.

Another way digital will help is by enhancing public safety. According to Oxford, the transition to digital will help prevent disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Oxford stressed that if communication on the local level had been digital, more people could have been informed on what to do and where to go. The same argument was made against Clear Channel after a train crash killed one and injured hundreds in Minot, North Dakota. The town was unable to communicate with residents to warn them about a deadly gas leak. Many say that if digital was available, hundreds of people could have been saved from harm.

Southeast Regional Director for the DTV Transition National Outreach Campaign Patrick Weber, also spoke at the meeting. Weber went into the more technical aspect of the transition. Weber explained what residents should do with their antennas and even brought in an example he built himself. Weber brought a converter coupon and went through the steps the meeting advocated in order to make for an easier transition. After using a coupon to buy a converter and building his own antenna when he was “bored one day”, Weber showed how easy it is to convert with out having to buy a new and expensive television. Weber explained how with as little as six dollars, anyone can prepare for the transition. He gave the websites to go to in order to receive a coupon for a converter for those who wish to hold on to their analog televisions, and motivated everyone to get started early, since supplies will be in high demand a couple of months from now.

One thing I found interesting was that though most television stations will cease to function as of February, viewers can still watch some low powered Spanish stations, until those too eventually convert. Whether people prepare in time or not, the transition to digital will come and it will change how people view television forever.