Television Analog to Digital Conversion
The Transition from Analog to Digital
For the last 80 years or so, television signals have been broadcast over the airwaves in analog format. This means televisions with antennas, rabbit ears or well-sculpted pieces of foil could pick up the basic channels--where the term "basic cable" originated--like major network feeds. Yet, since 2007, the U.S. government now requires all televisions manufactured in the United States or being shipped into the United States to have a digital tuner and, before that, most televisions were already outfitted to broadcast digital via a "set-top-box." In June 2009, everything converted to digital, though people receiving analog cable service with no "set-top-box" can still receive signals over the next 3 years before it is permanently shut off.
Reasons Behind the Switch
The Government decided to make this switch for several reasons. Most importantly, it frees up a good part of the airways for emergency services like police, fire and rescue so there is absolutely no interference in their communications. Analog will still exist but it will be primarily for emergency services. Analog will also be auctioned off to communications companies that can offer consumers more wireless broadband service. This is the beginning of a transition that will probably lead to free (or cheap) wireless Internet just about anywhere for computers, much like analog allowed free television to people with a TV and an antenna. Broadcasters being able to focus on digital as opposed to analog and digital will also generally enhance the television spectrum--programming, picture and sound quality.
Television to the Internet
When this switch from analog to digital occurred, another movement within the television medium had already been happening. More people began to watch their television shows online. For the average viewer, it doubled from 6 to 12 hours per week. While there has been no decline in the amount of time people watch television, these are the first signs in a coming change--or convergence, perhaps--between television and Internet broadcasting. More original programming is appearing online and most television episodes are offered online to view after they have premiered on television. Certain televisions already have Internet capabilities on them and major communications companies are already planning for the convergence for TV on the internet.
Tags: analog digital, Analog Digital, Analog Digital Conversion, Analog will, communications companies, Digital Conversion, emergency services
