Obsolete TVs Pennsylvania Landfills 17Feb2009

http://publicbroadcasting.net/wpsu/news.newsmainaction=article&ARTICLE_ID=1161830&sectionID=1
by Steve Biddle
WPSU-PRCN (2007-10-08) In 2009, all television broadcasting in the United States will switch to digital transmission. And that means the state's landfills are likely to fill up quickly with obsolete TVs. Even now, about 80% of the Commonwealth's elctronic waste -- computers TVs, DVD players -- goes to landfills. And according to experts, that poses threats to human health and the environment.
Legislation has been proposed in the senate (Senate BIll 1115) which would tack a fee, between 6 and 10 dollars, onto the purchase of new computers and TVs to pay for recycling those older models.
But not everyone thinks that's such a good idea.

60% of Consumers Unaware of Digital TV Transition

NAB estimates that there are about 69 million analog TV-sets in U.S. households that can go dark on February 17, 2009. NTIAs converter box coupons will only suffice for 33.5 million converter boxes with the budget that are expected. NAB also estimates that 60% of consumers are not aware of the transition to DTV as of today. But even these figures varies among stakeholders.

73 Million Analog TVs Needs Conversion

Per USA Today Article http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2007-03-12-tv-box-coupons_N.htm ; consumer advocates assailed Congress' decision to earmark enough money to cover only about half the 73 million analog TVs in the country that aren't hooked to cable or satellite, services whose providers plan to convert digital signals to analog for their subscribers. The 73 million sets include those in the roughly 18 million homes that lack pay TV, and second or third TVs in cable or satellite homes.

Bye to Rabbit Ears & Roof Top TV Antennas

Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

FCC Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop

The FCC will be hosting a Digital Television Consumer Education Workshop on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007, at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC. http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276258A1.doc

Analog to Digital TV Conversion

At midnight on February 17, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital format. So do you have an analog TV. Be Prepared Very Prepared !!!