In 2009 American broadcasters completed the transition from standard analog television broadcasting to all-digital broadcasting. This process was highly publicized, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spent millions of dollars educating the public on the change and what was needed for consumers to continue to receive television signals. Digital TV broadcasting has had several wide ranging effects in less than a year of existence.
Enhanced Quality and Service
The picture and audio delivered via digital broadcasting are significantly superior to analog television broadcasting. Besides higher-resolution images and higher-quality audio, digital TV signals are less prone to static interference and are more directly compatible with digital video recorders. In addition to high definition (HD), broadcasters can now also offer multicasting--the broadcasting of multiple standard definition (SD) programs at the same time, which gives consumers increased viewing options, and digital facilitates interactive programming, as more information can be transmitted via a digital signal than an analog one. For many viewers with state-of-the-art televisions or audio systems, the improved quality has allowed them to take full advantage of the capabilities of their existing equipment.
Freer Airwaves
One of the primary reasons for enacting the transition to digital broadcasting was to free the airwaves for other uses. By ceasing the broadcast of analog signals, television stations returned a great deal of broadcasting space to federal control and to public safety communications such as fire, police and emergency/rescue operations. Some of the space was auctioned off to telecommunications companies to provide new services such as broadband wireless Internet service and advanced cell phone networks. The additional space saved by digital TV broadcasting is being held for future use as communications needs increase.
Digital Tuner Sales
Another effect of digital TV broadcasting is the sale of many digital tuners. These devices can convert a digital broadcast signal into an analog signal, which allows digital programming to be shown on a traditional, analog television set. For a period of time in 2008, the U.S. government made vouchers available to Americans who wished to buy a digital tuner and continue to use an older television. These vouchers reduced the expense incurred by consumers, and retail sales of tuners skyrocketed for a brief time.
Digital TV Sales
For some customers, the transition to digital TV broadcasting justified the purchase of an entirely new digital television. Flat-screen televisions were one of the best selling items of the 2008 holiday season and sales remained at elevated levels through the digital TV transition period. While this meant increased business for electronics manufacturers and retailers, it also resulted in a glut of used analog televisions on the secondary market, driving prices down and sending many of the oldest televisions to garbage heaps.
Tags: digital broadcasting, analog television, analog television broadcasting, television broadcasting, transition digital