FCC: Spectrum reclaimation plan not happening (for now)

It’s been reported on various sites that the FCC was planning to scoop up unused or old-school broadband spectrum (left over from old over-the-air analog broadcasts that barely exist anymore) and reclaim it for HD usage and other applications. Of course, this would interfere with over-the-air broadcasts if you’re in an area where you have trouble getting a digital signal, so some broadcasters resisted the change.

OK, broadcasters, you win: the spectrum is safe, at least for now. The FCC’s ultimately backed off the plan this week, based on statements published recently.

The director of the FCC stated it was only a proposal, not a set plan, and that they wish to initiate “a scenario that establishes a voluntary marketplace mechanism so that broadcast TV stations have a choice in how they want to use their spectrum.” So stations could choose to let it go or keep it on their own. This could improve the quality of wireless signals and HD picture and channel selection as well, but could lead to fragmentation as some station sell it all off in some areas, and some choose not to.

It’s a big mess, and hopefully they sort it out soon, for the good of HD lovers everywhere.

Report: FCC states DTV transition going well

Well, the DTV transition finally happened, and no significant problems have been reported so far overall. Which leads us to wonder: what the heck took so long? But it appears waiting a little longer did smooth things out a little bit.

They report over 700,000 phone calls the last few days, but most were resolved in just a few minutes. So we’re happy to report the digital age of TV has begun, and more channel choice by cable and other providers should be forthcoming in the next few months/years.

Most common problem: Needing to rescan their box to get all the channels once again (a necessity depending on where you live and your setup).

Latest DTV Survey: 2.5% still not ready for the change

Change is a tough thing, we get it. But since we’re 2 days away from the big switchover to DTV, there are some that either didn’t get the memo, or don’t care. It could be either one (maybe 2.5% of the population never watches much and aren’t concerned, at least right now). That’s an estimated 2.8 million homes not prepared, which is still a fair number.

Who wants to bet half of those people will be calling the FCC or local stations on June 12th? That’s how its been so far with the limited amount of switches that have occured already.

Only 48 hours remaining until the big change, and we can’t wait. It’ll mean better quality, more HDTV choices and better TV in the long run, and that’s good for everyone (who cares about the future of HDTV anyway).

Call Overload: FCC logs 55,000+ calls after test analog shutoff

It appears June 12th may be quite the nightmare for the FCC, based on a recent analog signal shutoff test performed, to test the readiness of the general public to the digital transition.

The test was reportedly performed May 12, and it spurred a staggering 55,000 calls to the FCC’s helpline.

It’s safe to say that June 12th will shatter even more call records, as the few million or so still unready will be calling in, trying to figure out what happened. It’s simply amazing that after all the ads, promos and spots run for this transition, detailing the ins and outs and what you need to be ok, people still are clueless. We can’t understand it at all.

Hopefully the call logs won’t be overflowing that day, but we won’t count on it.

Changes: Comcast digital transition to add more HD channels, among other goodies

This has nothing to do with the regular TV switch to digital, but could impact our HD choices on cable in the future (which is in need of an upgrade, seriously). Comcast is ready to start weaning customers off of analog equipment and starting to make room for more HD channels (yes!), DOCSIS 3.0 high speed Internet and digital wonders we all like to hear about, and it’ll resume with Boston and Atlanta, as of several sources.

Called internally “Project Cavalry” it’s not removing all analog channels, but it appears around 40 of them, and as the FCC has directed giving customers two digital terminal adapters (seen in the pic) and a fully digital box for free — so long as you subscribe to Comcast. It’s a big step forward to TV and digital HD in general, and it’s about time.

According to the blog Cable Digital News, Chattanooga, TN managed to gain 22 new high definition networks and 50Mb Internet service after this same Comcast revamp, and that’s enough to make us pretty excited for this to happen all over the country.