The DTV education continues
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Mar 15th 2006 at 7:30PM
It seems that Circuit City was ahead of their time when posting
notices to customers concerning the analog shutoff. We applaud them for it and are equally excited that the Consumer
electronics Association is increasing efforts to get the word out.They are basically asking for labels on analog TVs and signs posted so that consumers understand that the TV's integrated tuner has a limited life span. The notice is long and I am sure that it will cause some confusion, but just like the Circuit City notice it will help sell some DTVs.
Speaking of selling DTVs, the CEA is also predicting that 2006 will be the first year that DTVs outsell analog TVs. They also note that DTV sales are expected to see a 50% increase over 2005.
via [Broadcast Newsroom]
Filed under: Industry, Regulatory
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark @ Mar 15th 2006 10:03PM
Being in a sales position, the thing I come across the most is that people have the misunderstanding that their TV will be obsolete in 2009. They have no idea that it only affect OTA reception and that it has nothing to due with their cable or satellite...which most people have anyways.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Mar 15th 2006 10:07PM
It is true that it probably won't effect anyone with Cable but it might if they only have basic cable. After the trasition there is nothing stopping the cable companies from going all digital which require them to have a STB. It will be interesting to see if they go this route considering they no longer have the analog signal to pass on to the consumers. If they do decide to continue to support analog customers they will have to convert the siganl from digital to analog, which is technically easy enough, but the stations may have something to say about it.
Ken @ Mar 16th 2006 2:17AM
#1 - you are having the exact same experience everyone selling TV's (myself included) has. I would say 95% of people will never use, and probably have not used a OTA antenna for a decade!
However, I have a 32" flat CRT Sharp for a bedroom TV, and it is for DVD's...or OTA reception!!! Sounds like a good excuse to upgrade!
Kirk Garner @ Mar 16th 2006 11:17AM
I have a 32" Phillips with built in digital cable and hd ota. I live in the Miami area where I receive many digital and hd ota stations with rabbit ears 30+. Although I have the Dish I do not subscribe to hd yet because I get the ota hd. I will never buy a tv without a builtin hd ota tuner.
Even the digital ota's are very clear. When the cable or satellite is out I still receive digital and hd ota programing even after hurricanes. I'm looking for a tv, preferrable dc, up to 15 " with builtin ota hd for power outages after storms any ideas.