Digital TV in Japan
July 2011 is the year when all analog TV signals cease to broadcast and will be replaced by the current digital signal thats being broadcasted in parallel for a while now.
Many Japanese folks (especially elderly folks) are slow at adopting the new standard - from their point of view, why should they go out and buy a new TV so that they can watch what they've already been watching?
The government is trying hard to get everybody to prep themselves for the analog to digital switch. There is now the word "Analog" [アナログ] which is displayed in the top right hand of TV broadcasts which seems to be getting bigger!
The word for digital broadcasts is Chideji [地デジ].
We still have an analog plasma which we got back in about 2003-ish - been looking for a digital tuner of late.
The government are quite desperate to get everybody to switch and according to Nikkei are even considering giving each household 20,000 yen just to buy a digital TV ^^;
Our TV does come with a tuner to watch the digital BS channels - the quality is incredible and switching from digital back to analog to watch the standard channels is quite noticeable.
There are currently 8 standard channels depending on the area you live and 8-ish digital BS channels. Folks in Japan can catch up with the TV guide at Yahoo.
Has TV broadcasts gone all digital in your area?
Some Chideji ads below.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
Welder
http://touchedmusume.blogspot.com/
I still don't see the point in switching. So many old people are going to be without tv now because they wont want to be bothered with switching. Those are some beautiful stewardesses though.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Decrease in costs mostly...
its because the governments are going to sell off the old analogue bandwidth to the highest bidders.
Mad scientist
A quick list of reasons for switching:
-1: one carrier wave can only contain 1 analogue channel. If you use the same carrier wave to transmit digital signals, then it can contain 5 MPEG2 channels in the same resolution and MPEG4 is 30% better compressed than MPEG2 (meaning at least 6 channels). One HD channel takes up the bandwidth of around 4 SD channels.
-2: an analogue signal gets noise from other transmitters using the same frequency so if you need two transmitters to cover a city, then you need two different frequencies for the same channel. The digital system can use the same frequency since it's a SFN (Single Frequency Network). To get an idea of how much this matters, I can inform that I can get an analogue channel on 3 different channels due to this issue, meaning that the bandwidth in my town for this channel takes up around 15 digital channels if we used the bandwidth efficiently.
-3: digital signals are transmitted in bursts meaning the transmitter sends one package and then it stops transmitting for a while and then it sends a new package. While it's idle it will not even transmit a dead air carrier wave so it will not use power while it's idle. An example is a 600 kW analogue transmitter here that is being converted to a 50 kW digital transmitter while it covers the same area.
-4: Digital TV can be digitally encrypted for channels where you have to pay to watch them (like satelite TV). Analogue TV can be encoded too, but they can easily be decoded without paying so nobody wants to expect people to pay for that anymore.
Note: for digital signal I refer to DVB-T as I don't know the other digital standards in such details. However I don't think the concept is much different.
Systems Engineer
http://levania.org/relayer/
The initial switch over to digital TV was set for February 17th in the US. Due to a lack of funds for the $40 USD coupon program for digital tuners, the US Govt. delayed the switch over until June. In Nebraska, our individual broadcasters went and switched to full digital on the 17th of February as planned.
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
Well that's news to me.. I thought they've already switched over to digital.. Where have I been? 'x'
Freelance Artist
http://edcomics.deviantart.com
That's not the reason for the delay. Somebody came up with the argument that ethnic minorities would not be ready in time for the switch to digital. I don't understand how somebody acquires information like that. It sounds completely bogus, but I don't see the point of making it up. In any case, the switch has been advertised for a very long time. The way I see it, if you're not ready by now, you never will be. Lazy today, lazy tomorrow. Digital broadcast has been the standard for years. Time to get with the program.
student
I've never heard this reason before, I heard on the news that they delayed the switch because of what relayer said.
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
really? xD i didnt know about it?
Freelance Artist
http://edcomics.deviantart.com
Some interesting info and possible insight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvNrcZyRuPc
A bit boring in its presentation, but the content is... well, you just have to watch it. The sad fact is that, in the end, everything comes down to corrupt politics. I wish that weren't the case, but apparently it is.
I read up on this a bit, and yes, it has been claimed that there isn't enough money to supply *everyone* with converter box coupons. That's the issue discussed in the video above. Interesting how we just passed a massive stimulus package worth ~$800 BILLION, but nobody thought to include a mere $250 million for the converter coupons.
The issue of minority communities not being ready for the switch seems to merely have been a fabrication to push the vote for the delay forward. In the end, it's not a big deal. It doesn't affect me too much. I just think it's ridiculous.
Software Engineer
They did actually, but the it ended up being cut out of the compromise Senate version that brought in the 3 Republics to keep it at the filibuster proof majority.
Also I wouldn't pay much mind to anything that you find on youtube for "news". As a case in point a quick search on youtube will turn up about 20 hits for conspiracies that they're doing the digital switchover so the government can spy on you with all the mini cams they installed in the digital tuner boxes. No joke, people actually believe stuff like that.
Well the main reason is an economic one. They did run out of funds.
The ethnic minority stuff may or may not be true, but they all relate in a way. If they could not secure the coupon, they would not be able to afford the box anyways.
Depending on where you buy and which one, the coupon given is not enough to pay for the converter box from most I've seen.
student, doujinshi manga artist
Yeah, I live in SC and we were supposed to fully switchon Feb 17, but the gov't switched it to June 12, however, we two stations, WSPA (CBS channel 7), and WYCW (Channel 62, WSPA's sister station). On Feb 18, WYCW went full digital. Yet, if you go to their analog channel, you still see a recorded video of what to do on Feb. 18.
Besides, I have an LCD (Sanyo) so I dont have to have a digital converter
grade grubber
http://gordanham.wordpress.com/
Over hear where I live they delayed it to the summer even though we were already supposed to convert this month.
Also could I have my Jedi powers back? It's been like over a month and a half since you said you gave them back and I still can't upload. Pleeeeeaaaasssseeeeee
カタイ－ガクセイ
I think at this point he's just smiting you.
Student
http://miri.textcube.com/
Frankly, I read the news and the weather from the Internet, so I don't really care if digital signals come or not ^^;
Jaina Solo Fan-boy! umm...Frozen food mangaer
http://jediwannabe24.wordpress.com/
Here in Louisiana, most of the local network affiliates broadcast their signals digitally now. My take on this is that analog broadcasts can be very useful, I wish they wouldn't get rid of it.
Here's what I mean: Over the the summer, Louisiana was hit by Hurricane Gustav, and knocked out our power for a few days. My family has a very small (8 inch) black 'n white antenna tv. We plugged it into our generator, and we were able to get the local stations to get the latest news.
So please don't take analog away from us.
BioResearch Assistant
They can't just buy a digital converter? Why a whole new television?
The television at my work was analog until our lab director bought a digital converter. With the government coupon, it was basically "free".
Jaina Solo Fan-boy! umm...Frozen food mangaer
http://jediwannabe24.wordpress.com/
Agreed, people only need the digital converter box, a new television is a waste of money. Why spend a $1000 USD on a new tv, when the converter is not that expensive. Around a $100 USD
BioResearch Assistant
Not even that much sometimes. The one our director bought was about $45 and we get way more channels now than with analog.
No more static and having to tape the antenna into weird positions on the wall.
Graphic Designer
Why? Because the digital signals broadcast in high definition. If you waste your money on a converter box, you're just getting digital programing on an old TV. New TVs are only $1000 if you buy the really expensive ones or huge TVs. Even the cheaper brands will give you a picture that's so much better then an old standard definition TV.
Anyway, our first HDTV that we bought YEARS ago even has a digital tuner built into it. So we've been ready for ages. And now every TV in the house is an HDTV with a built in digital tuner. Free high definition for the win baby. :P
Student
Some countries don't have HDTV programs (for free), so why to bother buy a new tv? In Finland the switching happened last year.
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
LOL... in Brazil digital transmission JUST STARTED.
Like last year if I'm not mistaken.
So yeah, it's like some decades from going full digital. Probably when my first grandchild is born. xD
I've been having fun on US news about going full digital though... here:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5157325/70+year-old-man-shoots-tv-engages-in-standoff-with-police-over-dtv-transition
流浪人
We're supposed to be going full-digital, but I still have my old, analog, CRT TV I bought back in 2000. ^^;
I don't watch TV, so I don't see the need to upgrade, right now.
PhysicsMajor/Someting/Photo/Pharm Tech
http://www.cadha13.com/blog
Here in the US, only high power (~50kW) TV stations have to be Digital, while low power (~5kW) can remain analog.
Why?
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
Read rant below.
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
There's still some analog but we've switched our main TV set to digital via converter box.
It sucks.
The digital signal is no where near as efficient to broadcast as the analog one and as a result it goes probably half the distance on the same amount of power. If that. Smaller stations who can barely even figure out how to operate it correctly have dialed back their power usage meaning the streams are extremely inconsistent - large buffering times, corruption/pixalation, or nothing at all.
The multiplexing promise was bullsh!t too. They're too cheap to run extra programming, due to licensing, so instead they broadcast weather 24/7! I now have two 24/7 weather channels with tons of banner ads. Extra channees my @ss.
The worst part is the FCC has auctioned off these freed frequencies to private corporations who will do nothing but sit on them! This is wrong on sooo many levels. Return them to the public!! argh
</rant>
Mad scientist
I haven't heard about this issue before but somehow I'm not surprised. It shows poor quality control of what was done. Local TV stations shouldn't operate their own transmitter, but get a channel in a multiplex from some bigger transmitter. Say instead of 5 stations having a 5kW transmitter each (which is how I read how it's done at your place), they should join together and make one 25 kW transmitter (or 10 kW or whatever is needed to cover all the areas for all stations). This way the stations can share the expensive hardware and get a better quality.
Come to think about it, I remember reading about TV companies in USA are saving too much on transmitter hardware and bandwidth in the digital transmitter system meaning people there don't get the image benefits that people in Europe get. It said something about a US HD channel might provide the same image quality as a European SD image due to cheap transmitters and/or too hard compression because they will not pay for the needed bandwidth.
Accounting Technician
http://alpharalpha.com
here in Ohio some stations have switched but most are keeping the analog broadcast signals up because of fear that older folks would lose emergency news
大学生
http://justaskeikaku.net23.net
I don't even care about TV here, coz there's no anime on it XD
Even when I do watch TV I just go online and stream asian TV lol
student, doujinshi manga artist
I have basic TV so no Anime Network here, and no internet (im actaully posting from my school, so that's tells you something) and my grandma whines about it costing ($10.00 for Internet is not a lot) too much
Pedobear approved
I've had cable for the last several years, and there's maybe 5 shows I actually watch on any given basis. So as it is I've scarcely noticed it. (Especially since I got my shiny new HDTV a couple months ago).
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
When I was in Japan, I saw on the LCD screens, July 2011 analog will stop broadcasting. That's so soon. As for Australia, they will get rid of analog in 2013.. Australia is so SLOW in switching!
Student
Our full digital transition was supposed to be this month, but because people were crying the blues that they couldn't get the digital tuner rebates, we've pushed back the switch. However, very new TVs have a digital tuner card in them, so I do watch most of my programs on the high band digital channels.
College Student
Yeah, they've gone digital in my area. When I was at home for Christmas, I was trying to hook up my mom's old Black & White TV to a digital tuner, kinda for kicks. Had to get a coaxial->two prong adapter but in the end couldn't get a strong enough signal to see if it worked.
Injured
I got my 2 boxes here using the coupons for 40 bucks off. The one s I got have the pass through for the ps2 as well so total cost was 4 bucks each, the boxes are a pain and still require the antennas to watch both uhf and vhf. Don't watch local channels here anyway have old directv dish which does not come with local stations. Nope don't watch morning shows or night talk shows either. Its all really bad horrible programming.
unemployed customer service supervisor
Hey rusting I agree w/you. I live in North Texas, Aubrey area. This whole digitial thing is a bunch of crap. In my house local tv is all i can watch, can't afford satellite being unemployed. i got my 2 coupons will just have to put up with this transition till things improve. Hey get better!!! at least have Danny to keep us informed of the great things going on. Will really want to visit Japan when I can afford it.
Puffdragon.
???Confused???
We don't need to get a new TV, just a converter box, but still we do intend to get one in the future...the official date for the switch will be in June...though there are a problem is that some channels don't have strong enough signal to get to all their viewers...
初音ミク命
The only time I watch TV now is when I'm bored, and I just watch something on Hulu on my PC. Doesn't really make much difference to me when they switch to an all digital broadcast.
student, part-time NEET
I didn't know anything about digital TV AT ALL until now. I don't even know what the difference between analog and digital is.
Of course, I'm the type that would live just fine without television, considering I don't even watch it. Sometimes when my parents are watching, I'll catch a glimpse, but it's usually a news channel, and I absolutely despise news channels - just as much as reality TV shows.
こうこうせい
http://stickymochi.blogspot.com
I don't watch TV... it's all on the internet. xD
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Honestly, i don't know.
I haven't watched TV for a long time now.
Bounty Hunter
We don't have even one digital broadcast station here in Indonesia >___>
no free one, iirc
Mahasiswa yang terdampar di Singapura.
http://lolipedofin.wordpress.com/
Heck, i don't know what's the standard in my place... I think Indonesia still clinging on analog... by analog, you're talking about that UHF antenna, right??? and by digital, is that what we subscribe to and pay monthly for??
I have no idea about Singapore...XD
三年せいとオタク
Hm Here in the states we were supposed to e swtichng to digital a few weeks ago but not they've extended the deadline. However some stations have already made the swtich, I dont have to worry about though conisdering I have satilite.
Graphic Designer
We were supposed to be all digital last week. But the stupid government decided to postpone it until June. It's so ridiculous because if people aren't ready for it by now (after they've been warned about it for AGES), they won't be ready for it in June either. They just need to cut the analog signals now and be done with it. Three stations in our area did decide to cut their analog last week anyway though.
houkouonchi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/red_mango/
Didn't the ending of this past Naruto or Bleach episode have an ad on the switch? Anyone see that?
University's Slave
We were supposed to switch to digital this month, but it's been delayed until June. Still, it's supposed to happen this year. Though a lot of people don't even have to buy a new receiver--so many people in this country have cable or satellite, which require proprietary receivers. Many cable and satellite companies have been sending digital streams when available for a good few years now, too. The only people that have to buy new equipment are those who use an antenna to pull their signals out of the air. That makes in increasingly bizarre that the switchover got delayed, actually. . .
I'm a little surprised that Japan's switching after the US, though. Japan seems to be the place for cutting edge technology. Digital TV seems like it would be right at home.
Student
http://animestuff.wordpress.com/
I think that is going to happen in Europe in the same year or the next where all analog tv signals will be replaced by the digital ones
pervert
too bad the government here isnt giving money so people can buy a new tv.the government is onyl giving out gift certificates to needy families so they can get a converter box to watch digital when it changes
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Huh? Television? What's that? *youtubenicotorrent*
I can see why people are reluctant to switch - old folks aren't generally A/V people to start with. Cost is certainly an issue, but I would bet on the hassle being more of a deterrant than anything else.
Student, Performer
http://kesenaitsumi89.wordpress.com/
In Malaysia, there are still no knowledge about Digital TV....
After read your post then I'm aware of such things. Ans so with HDTV.
Geotechnical Engineer
Astro would be the closest to DTV.
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
sometimes i wonder whether i really have a TV out there...
I have 2 LCDs with digi tuners in-built but rarely ever watch them - i have a lot of anime yet to marathon through ^^"
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
We just bought a converter box today, but I have no clue how it works. ;_;
http://www.stefkov.com/
They're trying to push the digital switchover for us here. It annoys me though. Most of the channels have very bad reception so programs I like I can't watch them most of the time.
Also elderly people have no idea about it. We got my grandparents a digital box one day to get them set up but they never use it. They always use the normal analogue TV.
Webdev, internet contents, music
http://www.pepinismo.net/
The 20000 yen campaign idea is very stupid, irresponsible and shameful. I won't tolerate them supporting with my money a technology that should be left to die. Chideji is not nearly as important as they think.
College Freshmen
I know they've been planning on it for months, but I have no clue when in February that was supposed to happen. I believe it's already happened although I have cable. I do know that there's been a shortage of converter boxes with the government coupons they gave out.
Student
Yep like everyone else has said the US was going to switch this month but got delayed by all the procrastinators and just plain stupid people;(yea I'm looking at you the guy with the brand new HDTV that's buying a converter box that you don't need with a coupon you shouldn't have). But anyway I wouldn't look too forward to when japan switches. They are considering some seriously screwed up DRM that might effect us getting anime fansubbed and outside of japan. Here's a quote from the wiki page about japans digital standard; "Many users are also very worried about the recent news of severe protection in the future. There are modes in ISDB to not allow the output of signal from an Analog connector (D-connector, Component, Composite, S-Video, etc). There are already plans to not allow analog output for "Copyright Protection" reasons. (Same as Blu-ray and HD DVD) This will make all currently sold STB Tuners, and the majority of LCD/Plasma TVs without HDMI inputs unusable. Plus all analog VHS, D-VHS that can only record via analog input, and all DVD players will also become unusable. These more limiting copy protection technologies will all start after analog broadcasting ends (when there won't be any choice for viewers). Currently, no financial assistance schemes have been announced, and viewers without proper devices will be forced to buy a new compatible TV or set top box in order to view ISDB broadcasts. Though not clear, it is said that there are also plans to protect all programs with "Copy-Never"."
heres a link to the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Services_Digital_Broadcasting
Space Pirate
All digital here in Norway as far as I know.
Now we can finally get some decent reception where I live, and of course a couple of extra channels :D
Student/Geeksquad Agent
http://wifininja.wordpress.com
The thing here in the us is a mess it makes me laugh a little that in japan they paying for new tv's instead of the just the converter boxes cause all they give us here is just the $40 coupon that doesnt even pay for the whole converter box......
Ninja / Engineer / Sensei / 魔法少女 (What!?! I can't be, I'm a guy...)
Seems it's not only the US doing it then. This must be a plan to take over the world digitally through people's TVs. Hmmm...I'm sure that's it! I'm on to them now...
Engineering and Sales
The local stations are transmitting in both at the moment where I am.
Here is another case of good technology used poorly. DTV has the potential to be better then Analog but it's not because of shortcuts. First the Digital signals, even the HD signals are compressed so horribly (to save money) it makes Analog TV look beautiful. Second Digital is not as powerful as Analog so the stations need to up their output power, nope! so anytime the wind blows or it rains or snows you get the worst part of DTV, the jerky skipping of the sound and picture. Oh and the promise of Multi Channel sound is complete BS as well, hell even my High Def Cable service chooses not to broadcast HD TV with HD sound. Once again to save bandwidth and therefore money.
I am sick of inferior standards and shortcuts
unistudent
we're going parallel atm, digital and analog. personally i only see some change in quality but not much, usually i dont bother turning it on
prtty good idea there, forcing everyone to buy a digital telly. boost an ailing economy, and force every dollar of government handout to be spent solely in the japanese tv market.
Ordinary soul (student)
http://www.ekowc.net
heh, Its all digital here, the analog signal was shutdown about a year ago.
Although lot of people did complain that there wasn't anything better in digital TV.
And its true Digital TV quality isn't that much better than analog.
Student
i wonder why smap wanted to do that ad
Student
We are also switching from analog to digital (mpeg4) and are facing similar problems. As a matter of fact, I bought a new tv and a digital tuner to my grandmother just some months ago. Was considering buying a tv which already included the tuner, but it was cheaper to buy them separately and connect with hdmi.
Graphic Artist/Gamer/Dreamer and all that jazz
http://thenihon-suki.blogspot.com/
My grandmother is going crazy over this.. she has a total of 4 tv's in her house and all of them but one is ok for the Digital Transition. I think the cable company she uses is giving away coupons too for having someone come and set up the TV so she can be ok for the Digital Transition..
But as for my place, I'm all set!
buffer
In Canada, digital TV is scheduled to happen at the end of August (31st) in 2011.
But then it's just Youtube and the internet for me. (I rarely watch TV these days due to the stagnation of quality TV)
Nekophilia
Don't know! Mine uses antenna. So which is it? o_O
Mad scientist
The idea is that people all over the world already set up analogue systems so the cheapest solution is to reuse as much as possible. This means that all the cables, antennas, signal amplifiers and stuff will be the same. The only difference (from the user point of view) is the TV itself.
To put it simple. Say you use analogue today, but the transmitter is also broadcasting digital signals then all you have to do is to buy a digital TV/receiver box and you switched from analogue to digital.
I guess this basically means that we can't answer your question based on the informations you provided. However I think you use analogue if you don't kow because digital is fairly new so you would know if you switched within the last max 5 years. Also you wouldn't know anything about this if there aren't any digital signals in your region.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Digital as in HD broadcast? Another 5years in M'sia perhaps............
Not even our satelite/cable tv broadcast in HD yet........
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
Your switchover's about the same time as in my area but the digital signal's already good. Didn't get a chance to view them until purchasing a DVD/HD recorder with a built-in decoder recently. There's so many more free channels... Over 40 including radio channels.
They're not HD though and I haven't spent time watching them but it's good to see dedicated film, drama and children channels. There's even free dedicated commercial and adult oriented channels... Parents will have to learn how to lock them =P
Delivery Driver | Semi-student
http://www.soulfringe.com/
We actually just had this go into effect here last week.
Don't have to actually use the cable box though, which is good. My grandma is scared of it.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
Here, I don't think we'll be moving to digital broadcasting any time soon and it would take a long time for us to make the switch
NEET
In Sweden we had our transition from September 2005 to February 2007.
In the city I live the transition took place in April 2006.
I'm glad the transition took place.
I got more (and better channels) and best of all, the picture quality is considerable sharper, cleaner and more vivid and the sound quality is great.
Now I also got access to HDTV channels ^^.
Student
http://www.lesterho.com
My current apartment has an LCD TV that supports digital signal. I really surprised at how Japan is on digital signal while back in my country, there were none.
I really enjoy watching those japanese tv program and the digital quality are one of the best I have watched in my whole life.
Programmer/student
all of the uk will be switched by 2012. The bbc have been very good at reminding people o switch over for the passed few years, and there are lots of options to choose from in regards to alternitives.
When ITV digital tv collapsed years back, the bbc (and some partner companies) got its remains and relauched it as freeview wich is the main digital service. its free apart from the set top box and they are dirt cheap nowerdays. couple that with freesat, a free satalite service wich is good for rural areas, as they typicaly get bad tv reception anyways and were pritty good overhere
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
:sob:
I love my analogue... looks better than damn digital.... its like the LCD tv's vs the ol' chunky ones....
aspiring to become a doujin and graphics artist cum lawyer
http://aki7.bottled-wish.info
I dont think digital tv will be here anytime soon........................
the wholesale business of flower
http://nakagawaichiro.com
日本人はキャンペーンが好き。
地デジでも、フレッツといっしょなら無料とか、PS３がもらえるとかだとすごい人気です。
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
Still stuck on analog here...Wondering when are we gonna change...
a guy who cares (sort of...)
Like everything in my country Digital Broadcast is delayed because of bureaucracy and stupidity of a government. The problem is most of people still get their TV signal by Terrestrial way unlike USA or Japan (I think...) Digital Signal is a standard in Cable and Satelite TV but the majority (especially old people) still have their analogue antennas. In the whole EU 2012 is the year when all analogue broadcast will be stopped, but in Poland ? 2013 is what they say now but knowing how things work here... I just can't see it coming :/ .
Photographer Wanna-be
The girls in that advertisement are strangely over-dressed compared to most Japanese women you see on this site.
Dental Technician, i make teeth!
http://antsizedman.blogspot.com/
My analog will be shut down thia year, then it will truly be the digital age i hope.
Digital is nice, but instead of fuzziness, its possible the weak signal freezes up the broadcast which can be very annoying.
Student
I don't know...but I heard some romors about this thing to change all the analog tv in digital.
However I continue to see anime on my analog :P
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
US pushed it back to June. However, many stations/cable companies are switching now. I have no problem with it.
New media student
It's already mentioned twice here, that we have completely digital television here in Finland. It was a big event, and many though it's totally useless and stupid change, but now it's been working fine, and even those people who said that they wouldn't ever watch digital television have bought digital tuners.
That what makes it more complicated is, that we have terrestrial and cable SD channels here, and you can also get satellite, if you want. Then there are HD channels, which are mostly foreign and you have to pay in order to watch them. HD is really cool thing, but current HD channels are showing really poor stuff. It'll take a long time before all the channels are HD. I have old-school Sony tv, which is still very good, because SD channels look better and sharper in it. SD channels in HD lcd (or plasma, which isn't popular) look poor. I want to get HD lcd television just for watching BDs and playing and will keep the old Sony for regular tv channels.
By the way, all the televisions sold here have at least terrestrial digital tuner, but most have also cable tuner built in. New models also have HD tuners.
There are many occupation modes, wondering is one of them
http://www.jabunta.com
it was started on 2006 in The Netherlands. But I think there is no big problem or issues regarding the standardization.
Mad scientist
I bought a digital TV tuner for the computer when we got a DVB-T test signal 3 years ago. I figured since I got a nice monitor it would do for a television and the test signal started at the same time as my analogue TV caught fire D:
It turned out that it was most likely the best solution that I could get. The images are flawless (ok, they transmit old tapes once in a while with analogue errors) and I can use the computer as a harddisk recorder and DVD burner... all that for less than the price of a cheap TV... nice.
A really nice benefit is that the tuner doesn't read channels, it reads multiplexes. This means that I can record all channels in a multiplex at once if I like. I have never seen any TV/HD/DVD recorder that's able to do that! (we all know the issue with two movies both starting at 20:00).
I'm looking forward to the analogue turnoff later this year because it leaves room for way more digital stuff. I will get more channels and some of the channels I can see now will turn into HD while staying free-to-air.
One funny thing is that we get a few commercials about getting a digital reciever box for analogue TVs and a whole lot of commercials for satelite and cable TV telling us that the analogue signal will die and then people should use cable/satelite if they still want a TV while they "forget" to tell that we get free-to-air digital TV. We also get mail from them. Somehow they seem desperate because they get their money for offering more channels and HD channels. Now we will be able to get the same through the air at a lower price so they fight to get people to sign up before the majority realise that. Seems unethical to me.
Trying to become a blogger.
http://crippledotaku.wordpress.com/
No, but come June 12th in the states, all stations will be going digital. Was going to happen Feb. 17th but they pushed it back. I was looking forward to it.
Air Transportation Journeyman
http://www.myspace.com/savefaceandbeyourself
And here it is more wasteful spending across the globe, I am sure the US has nothing to do with this <_<
Supreme Commander of NERV Co.
Girl in second video is cute ^^, and yes digital is taking over here in Canada
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
I'm not quite sure but I don't think we even have anyone broadcasting digital signals over here. heheh! So I think it'll still be a long time before we go digital. But I do agree though...there's just a big difference between the two that there really is no reason to stay analog if you can afford it.
student, vexillologist
http://twitter.com/zscout370
The local channels have gone digital at least in San Diego, but there are some channels that are not digital yet. Some stations will only make the switch when the law tells them to in (I believe now) July of 2009.
Daydreaming student
http://princessrisi.tumblr.com
Google tells me:
Between 2008- 2012, television services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region (The exception is Whitehaven in Cumbria which became the first place to switch in October 2007). The old analogue television signal will be switched off and viewers will need to convert or upgrade their TV equipment to receive digital signals, whether through their aerial, by satellite, cable or broadband.
It is pretty cheap to get a digibox though around £10 which used to be ~$20 but who knows more like $15 in this climate boo, England so poor now ;(
Was easy enough for me to set them up for my family on all the TV's but for some reason even though the digi signal on the main TV comes through the Cable service, however for the regular 5 channels, she would still rather watch grainy analogue, am yet to find out why..
I think there has been enough info about it for most people to know, an adjust have to help out less capable relatives, I am sure everyone will adjust, it is no big deal really in the scheme of things.
Saying that my dad went out to buy a new "digital tv" and was ready to throw all the old ones away, before i said ot him he just needs a tuner.... haha.. then he spent money on "digital aerials" ... : My poor dad is such a sucker for sales talk.
student
http://www.kingdomwingszero.webs.com/
where we at we on digital right now it stared on feb 17 but its kool now I like it
College Student
They have been ranting on about the 'digital switch over' in the UK for years.
Not happened that, tho most ppl in the UK have at least freewview, if not they have Virgin on Sky.
College Student
We haven't switched over completely yet, not that it matters.
Sky TV have made satellite the standard in the UK, so not many people use analog or digital ^_^
College Student
http://www.xanga.com/coolmikeolgx
Its happening here in the US soon in July I think. Suppose to be to clear some airwaves for other stuff. I would expect Japan to be ahead on this but I was wrong.
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
ehh I barely watch TV anyways...i read and watch the news online since im stuck on the computer all day =3
University Student
In VN they haven't switch yet. Hope that when it come, they will also have some support program like $40 coupon in US..
I'm searching for the schedule of the DTV transition (or how they switch to DTV) in any country that have a plan for it. It's for my research subject. :D
Need yours help!! Anyone know anything about those happening in yours country, pm me please.
Thanks you very much. ^^