Analog to digital switch for TV

[harvest]

I thought they could already do the imaging thing through the television. I thought that was how they figured out how many people were watching a particular show. But come to think of it, that doesn't make sense b/c it isn't like someone sits there and counts bodies in a room. Plus, I wouldn't count b/c I sit in the room with the tv, but I spend all my time on the computer (here)! Would they count me anyway?

Third party companies use tracking, but not off of visual displays of your actual body. They track by household how many tv's are tuned in on a certain station. It's not even calcualted by every home, but rather an average estimate based on a certain amount of people in a test pool.

[giatia]

I have been wondering if the new television thing is a way to get into our homes. There is an ad on tv saying if you have an old tv set to contact some government agency to get a conversin box. That just seems fishy to me.

Kathy

That's what I was thinking......:thinking

[PWOODS]

A couple of months ago I decided to give up TV due to continuous increases in cable. I know there are other options, Direct TV and such. However, I really felt led by the Lord to do this. I even gave my TV to my neighbor for an elderly person in his family. I don't really miss it. I do a lot of reading and am perfectly content!:D

[ForeverBlessed]

I thought they could already do the imaging thing through the television.

How many of you have satellite tv? You need receivers for that and they have to be plugged into the phone line at all times (so they say, but I have a friend who does not keep hers plugged in and she receives signals just fine). They know what each household is watching on satellite tv, and I suspect they can track cable tv as easily because it's always 'on'.

I suspect anything that is hooked up to any kind of network can be (and likely IS) monitored.

[harvest]

How many of you have satellite tv? You need receivers for that and they have to be plugged into the phone line at all times (so they say, but I have a friend who does not keep hers plugged in and she receives signals just fine). They know what each household is watching on satellite tv, and I suspect they can track cable tv as easily because it's always 'on'.

I suspect anything that is hooked up to any kind of network can be (and likely IS) monitored.

The phone line has nothing to do with the receiver and reception. It's used to order movies and updates. That's why Direct and Dish Network will bill you $5/mo. for not having it plugged in. It works fine without a phone line.

The easiest and most practical way for the government to spy on you is for them to just go directly to the satellite companies like they do the phone companies. Most receivers have hard drives, so it's pretty easy to get any info you want.

[harvest]

By the way, those ads for tv converter coupons are real. Starting in 2009, if you have an analog tv or use bunny ears to watch tv, you'll need a converter to switch your signal to digital.
Pretty much this affects everyone that doesn't have a satellite or cable company for tv viewing, or an old tv that isn't digital.
For those that need one, I'd get it now or be prepared to pay more later.

[Barkley]

By the way, those ads for tv converter coupons are real.

I got mine a couple weeks ago. Not sure if I'm going to need one or maybe someone around here may need them. There only good at two locations around my neighborhood Walmart and Best Buy.

[T MAC]

I'm very suspicious about the switch to HDTV and the requirement that people get a special box to receive their TV signals by February of 09 if they don't have cable. To me, it seems like a way for the government to control the airwaves, and if you don't have the "right equipment" to receive signals, you're deprived of receiving important information. Anyone know the legislative history behind this?

[Grace thru Faith]

The only thing I know is that it is a "digital world". Technology continues to advance. I'm not necessarily suspicious at all. It won't stop me from watching LOST when it returns. HAHA. If the government or whoever wanted to find me they could already do it without digital boxes and if your worried about who control what we view on t.v. that has been going on since the invention of the television. You don't need a box for that.

[fracturedInfinity]

It's just a change in the standards of how the video is transmitted and received. Digital signals allow for a better quality picture than analog.

You can see the differences between the types here (http://cbdd.wsu.edu/kewlcontent/cdoutput/TR502/page8.htm).

If you try to receive a digital signal with an analog receiver, you'll just see static, because the analog receiver doesn't know what to do with the digital signal to be able to convert it into the pictures you see on your TV.

Oh, and here's (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/DTVandLPTV.html) the FCC page on it.