Hi franciejones,
I watched the answers from the others and decided to reply with more than glazed eyes this time.
Digital TV offers more in terms of resources, very much like your computer does, or your video camera. I could ask you why video cameras were changed from analogue (those pesky tapes) to digital (memory sticks, pen drives, mini disks etc.), or why did music turn digital?
Eventually, your TV, sound system and computer will all be integrated digitally, very much like your cell phone has, advancing them to take photos, videos and playing radios and MP3s.
Digital TV allows you to have a bigger screen as, just like in a digital camera you can increase the pixels as newer models come out and higher definition becomes the norm, as well as eventually 3D TV will be brought on to the market.
To answer your other questions:
You can buy a box that fits under your analogue TV which will convert the digital signal to work with your set. That's if you don't wish to splash out on a new set.
Governments go 'on board' only for egoistic reasons. Lobbyists spend a lot of money to convince the law makers and policy makers to understand their cause. For everyone to convert to digital TV will mean a heating up of the electronics market, so companies like Phillips would probably like to pressure for the conversion.
Here in Brazil there was a project made to offer $100 laptops free to public school children. The government doesn't want to do this because it is a goody two shoes. It's because some senator or group of senators got a whopping back hander to send the legislation to the senate, so that a company could facture a rediculous amount of public money. Unfortunately greed got in the way as the laptops were eventually being offered for $350. But politics is like that.
Why would someone spend half a billion dollars to be elected to a post where they will only receive 2 million dollars after their term in office? Because that's how much Obama spent and how much he will earn over the first term:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preside..._States#Salary
No-one really talks about the subject of digital TV because most of the world already has digital TV (even here in Brazil) operating in their country.
Best regards,
Steve
Quote:
Originally Posted by franciejones
I have asked around and peoples eyes seem to glaze over when I ask why we are switching to digital here in the USA. I even emailed Bill about a year ago asking if he or Kerry had heard anything regarding the REAL reason for this. No answer. Other folks LITERALLY get a glazed look in their eyes when I bring it up.
1. Why going digital?
2. What happens to the old analog signal?
3. Why does the government (other than the obvious FCC) seem so "on board"?
4. WHY WHY WHY does no one talk about this?
Anyone have any clues about this other than the garbage reason we are being fed?
All I know is, that since the announcement of this change a few years ago, I have felt increasingly uneasy about it. I am stuck with my damn TV as my husband and stepson are not at all willing to let it go. What do you guys think about this....really.
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