NTSC to ATSC Mandatory Changeover Date

[ALLANDUNN]

I thought the date for ending NTSC transmissions was/is December 2006, yet I see 2009 mentioned. I know Congress was considering the latter date, but I thought it was dying in committee.

So, just when will my portable TV become obsolete?

[Russ-PA]

I had heard something about this on the news yesterday - I thought they'd said April of 2008 but I could've not gotten it straight. Maybe I'll worry about it when my wife complains that our current TV's non longer work. I'm not sure I'd notice.

[w9wi]

I thought the date for ending NTSC transmissions was/is December 2006, yet I see 2009 mentioned. I know Congress was considering the latter date, but I thought it was dying in committee.

So, just when will my portable TV become obsolete?

Not yet decided.

As I understand it, both houses of Congress have passed bills that would set a drop-dead date. However, the House chose the end of 2008 while the Senate chose a date in April 2009. (reportedly, right after the NCAA basketball championships. Seriously, that's reportedly why they chose the date they did.) As with any other situation where the two houses pass similar but not identical legislation, it now goes to a conference committee which comes up with a common bill they figure both houses will approve.

My money would be on the latter (April 2009) date.

The older legislation called for the end of next year *or* when 85% of households have DTV capability. It seems Congress realized that figure may never be met if they don't force people's hands.

The legislation also apparently calls for spectrum-auction money to be used to subsidize DTV set-top boxes.

[Russ-PA]

That sort of explains why I'd thought I heard April 08. But I've also read recently that that auction money is earmarked for offsetting other Federal expenditures, present or future. But that's a political rather than a h9obby/broadcasting matter.

[w9wi]

But I've also read recently that that auction money is earmarked for offsetting other Federal expenditures, present or future.

Yes, that's still true. They figure there'll be some left ofter after subsidizing the STBs, and that will be used to offset the federal deficit.

[w9wi]

Not yet decided.

As I understand it, both houses of Congress have passed bills that would set a drop-dead date. However, the House chose the end of 2008 while the Senate chose a date in April 2009. (reportedly, right after the NCAA basketball championships. Seriously, that's reportedly why they chose the date they did.) As with any other situation where the two houses pass similar but not identical legislation, it now goes to a conference committee which comes up with a common bill they figure both houses will approve.

...

The legislation also apparently calls for spectrum-auction money to be used to subsidize DTV set-top boxes.

OK, as you may have read on the WTFDA mailing list, a common bill has now been developed and has passed the House (by a surprisingly close 212-206 margin). It seems it's passed the Senate as well but I can't find proof of that or a margin. This vote was to attach it to a large budget bill - Ibelieve this is the same budget bill to which Sen. McCain was trying to attach his anti-torture amendment, but since McCain and the President have apparently come to agreement about that rider, it seems probable this bill will be signed once it passes both houses.

It sets Feb. 17, 2009 as the end date for analog. It also provides $990,000,000 to allow consumers to request up to two $40 vouchers for digital-to-analog converters. Some of that money goes to administer the program, and up to $5,000,000 for publicity.

<end of objective part. Editorial follows in separate post<grin>>.

[w9wi]

Yes, that's still true. They figure there'll be some left ofter after subsidizing the STBs, and that will be used to offset the federal deficit.

Congress estimates auction revenues will be between 10 and 20 billion dollars. They've earmarked just under $1billion to subsidize STBs and administer and publicize the program.