Moving DTV deadline a bad idea, says FCC's Martin
Moving the February 17 deadline for the U.S. switchover to digital TV would create confusion, said Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin during a public interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Martin would prefer if Congress sticks to the planned date, and instead makes some changes to help speed up the transition.
"I completely think we need to do something about the converter box coupon program, and quickly," Martin said of a government program to help consumers buy a gadget that allows older TVs to receive digital broadcasts. There is variety of things that Congress could do to make the program more convenient, including waiving the 90-day expiration date, according to Martin.
Martin is worried about the ramifications of moving the date, saying his big concern is that people won't take a new deadline seriously.
Moving the date would also stymie plans to use the newly freed frequencies for other services.
"We have other people who are anxious to start building out their wireless networks," Martin said
Martin's term as commissioner runs until 2011 but he is expected to be replaced as chairman of the FCC when the Obama administration takes office January 20. In December a congressional report accused him of suppressing public information and abusing his power. Saturday, he expressed a wish that people could "actually meet and discuss and have a debate without it having to be an open meeting". At the same time, he wants commissioners to disclose how they voted on different issues and why.
IDG News Service
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DTV coupons, signal strength
I went to use my coupons and poof expired why would the Gov. put an expiration date on something that they want the US people to buy into??? I'm personally going to lose some of my Chicago stations because I'm in rural Indiana, I get all the Chicago land stations thru. analog transmission but not thru DTV . When I found my DTV coupons wouldn't work I spent $850.00 on a HD DTV and was pretty disappointed when I couldn't pick up all the stations I've been used to for the past 40 yrs. You might say I don't have things tuned in Right..Wrong I've been in contact with an engineer from channel 5 out of Chicago and I have it all right, new HD ant.the one wingard recommended, ant. rotor to lock into the DTV signal exactly, still no Chicago channels 5.1, 7.1,32.1 they are locked into my receiver but the signal just isn't strong enough to keep the signal locked in. The delay in the transition Is fine with me at least I can watch my Chicago stations a little longer.バッテリー
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