Why should you care?

By Bill Herrfeldt
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

On February 17, 2009, television as we know it will become a thing of the past. By that date, all stations in the country will switch over to digital television and will no longer broadcast on their analog channels.

Why should that make a difference to you?

An improved picture
First, digital picture quality is nothing short of amazing. Drop into a local store where new televisions are on display, and you’ll see this for yourself. The color is more saturated, the picture is clearer, many sets are less than three inches thick, and their screens can be up to three times bigger than your largest old TV.

Furthermore, digital technology enables broadcasters to provide you with multiple programs at the same time.

“For instance, if your readers are like my in-laws, they really like to see the weather,” says Todd Sedmak, communications director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. “With digital television, you’ll be able to get the weather more easily because the ABC affiliate, say, will have it on their sub-channel, and it’ll run all the time.”

First responders to benefit
The number of programs a station can send using digital technology depends on the level of picture detail desired in each program. But, regardless of the number of programs they broadcast, stations can provide picture quality, interactive video, and data services—easily surpassing the capabilities available with analog technology.

There are benefits to the community as well. “By converting from analog to digital, television stations will free up the radio spectrum for wireless broadband and other services, and, more importantly, for the public safety community.

A portion of these radio waves will be made available for first responders like firefighters and police officers, people who keep us safe,” says John Kneuer, assistant secretary for communications and information of NTIA.