Nielsen's report (December 19, 2008) stated that November - December 2008, the penetration of Completely Unready households for the DTV transition was 6.8% of households.
1. There are 114.5 million households in American that own television sets
2. 6.8% (7.8 million) of these households currently, are totally unprepared for the analog to digital switch3. 10% (11.4 million) of U.S. Households are Partially Unready (having cable and analog tv)
This means that a total of 19.2 million households have some fancy footwork to do before Feb. 17, 2009 in order not be left in the dark with their analog television sets.
Granted, there has been strong media outreach supported by the NAB, NTIA and FCC to alert and make people aware that the switch is coming. And they have done a remarkable job with 90% of Americans being made aware.
The problem is that making people aware and having them make a buying decision during the worst financial condition our country has seen since the "depression" is a different matter all together. Not to mention a technological application to boot.
I can just see grandma running down to her local retail store and hooking up a digital converter box. The following is what will be in store for her:
1. Locate her $40 government issued coupons and check to see that they have not expired.
2. Locate digital converter boxes in the store and ask if the model available has a pass-through feature so low band width channels can still be viewed on her TV.
3. Purchase a digital converter (DC) box. (There still may be time to register to receive the $40 off coupon from www.dtv2009.gov.)
4. Back at home, make sure she has an antenna that can be connected to the digital converter (DC) box. (If not, this could mean a return trip to the store for an adapter or a new antenna.)
5. Check for an available outlet plug near her TV set. If not, she will need a multi plug adapter, extension chord, or power strip.
6. Find the original remote control for her analog TV.
7. Connect the digital converter (DC) box properly, inserting batteries in the DC remote control, and plugging in the DC box.
8. Turn on the TV. Set the TV to channel 3 with the original TV remote.
9. Turn on the DC using the correct remote. WARNING: Remember don't mix up the remotes.
10. On the DC remote, press the setup or menu button and scroll to menu.
11. Scroll to and Scan the channels. Channel scanning will need to be repeated when additional DTV channels become available.
12. Hope and Pray that most of the channels come in. Many times they won't. Repositioning the TV antenna higher or closer to an outside wall or window may improve reception. (Try scanning again.)
13. Oops, did you hook your rabbit ears/roof top antenna to the digital converter box in the proper port in the back of the digital converter box, and the extra cable in the box to the TV-out port correctly? Then Nana, you are almost there.
14. Now, remember your original remote for the analog TV set is only used to turn the set on and off. Make sure not to change the channel off of "3".
15. Finally make sure you use the new remote only for channel surfing and volume, not for turning the TV on and off. Keep the DC box directions in a safe, memorable, and accessible place for when scanning for new channels needs to be done.
Got all that NANA? Now enjoy your new digital viewing experience. Pleeezzzz, someone get me some aspirin.
Can you see this being done in a month or so with 19.2 million folks, with a disproportionate number being the elderly, minorities, those whose first language is not English, rural and disabled?
WE WERE CAMPAIGNING TO HAVE THE FEB. 17TH DATE SET BACK. IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES, WE CANNOT HAVE 19 MILLION AMERICAN LEFT IN THE DARK. Especially, with the new administration UPDATE - As of Feburary 8, 2009 the House Approved the DTV Delay Bill to push back the dtv date for June 12, 2009. More time, education and activitism is needed!
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