Digital TV deadline is on after House vote

Washington, January 29: Undisputed vote by the U.S. Senate to push forward the Feb. 17 cut-off date for analog to digital TV transition notwithstanding, the switch will go ahead as initially decided, after a vote by the House of Representatives yesterday.

The count of votes in favor of a four-month delay in the changeover fell 26 short of the requisite two-third margin for passage. The House voted 258-168 in support of the delay.

It is worth noting that the Senate had voted Monday to push forward the transition to June 12 amidst apprehensions about the lack of preparedness of about 6.5 million U.S. households for the transition.

In spite of this, advocates of the delay are optimistic that the House can raise the matter one more time the coming week and vote with a simple majority decision.

Joel Kelsey, a policy analyst at Consumers Union, a consumer advocacy group, said, “This is a process that’s melted down and has been riddled with problems from the beginning. The responsible thing is to wait on it and do it right.”

If the delay is not passed then TV viewers who are yet to make provisions to watch digital TV will have to face inconvenience as broadcasters get ready to terminate their analog broadcasts.

Viewers who previously use antenna to get the analog signal will have to acquire a converter box and a TV with a digital tuner or else turn towards a pay TV service.

As earlier reported, a federal converter box coupon scheme was launched to provide $40 credits for buying a converter box. The program fell short of funds on Jan. 5. The issue is that the 2.5 million coupons on the waiting list won’t be given till the previously distributed ones expire.

Before the vote, Joe Barton, the top Republican on the House Commerce Committee, remarked, “The bill is a solution looking for a problem.”

The transition from analog to digital TV basically aims to free spectrum to assist in advanced wireless communication and emergency services. If approved, it will also enable broadcasters to create high definition feeds.