The end of Analog TV?

**Six** · 04 May 2005, 01:12 AM

The problem as I see it is that since a local station has an effective monopoly over the content from say ABC they determine the quality of the signal that you the consumer will eventually get on your set. In my case the local CBS/ABC station has the worst fucking excuse for a broadcast tower in the state of Texas. The quality is total ass and made watching Monday Night Football almost torture - at times it was difficult to read the score on the screen.

If the FCC gave me the option of getting a feed from a provider (DTV or Dish) from a major market like NYC or something I could get all the programming in HD. But since it would possibly put my shitty little hometown mom and pop station out to dry it's not allowed.

But the funny thing is that the broadcast *IS* digital. It's just really shitty digital.

The government needs to regulate the QUALITY of the signal, not the type. Same goes for DTV and dish and their "HD" offerings, which suck ass too, btw.

I quit tv.

**piku** · 04 May 2005, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by GohanX

Right, so the people who need to buy new digital TV's and/or digital tuners are the same people who can't afford/don't want to pay 10 bucks a month for basic cable. I can see this going over well.

Yeah it’s a weird situation. Though tuners realistically shouldn't be any more than $30-40 at most if mass-produced but still.

Originally Posted by Six

If the FCC gave me the option of getting a feed from a provider (DTV or Dish) from a major market like NYC or something I could get all the programming in HD. But since it would possibly put my shitty little hometown mom and pop station out to dry it's not allowed.

Well they do give you the option to get your market in HDTV from DTV or Dish if you wanted. Well maybe not HDTV (depends on your market size) but you can certainly receive it from a satellite provider.

Originally Posted by Six

The government needs to regulate the QUALITY of the signal, not the type. Same goes for DTV and dish and their "HD" offerings, which suck ass too, btw.

No they don't, it would set a nasty precedent. If they provide you a shitty signal then you don't watch and then they lose viewers. Let the free market solve these problems not the government.