Turn off analog TV? It’ll never happen

February 17, 2007 By

I know that everyone who loves HD is salivating at the prospect that analog TV will be turned off in two years. Here, look at Engadget HD for evidence.

The problem is that anyone who believes this will actually happen is smoking crack.

Here’s why: there are way too many people who still own analog TVs. My dad is one of them. He’s using a TV that I bought him back when I worked at LZ Premiums back in the 1980s. He’d like to get a new HD TV, but he comes from a generation that doesn’t throw things away just because a better one comes along. Not to mention that his house isn’t setup for a big screen. Oh, and older people vote, and vote more often than younger people. He also has a lot more resources than my generation does — resources that can go into getting heard.

But, you try taking away analog TV from people like my dad and you watch the political uproar.

Here’s the fun thing about living in a democracy: the majority group usually gets heard.

In this case I think it’s sheer idiocy to plan on analog TV getting turned off. It’ll never happen. Not in the next 10 years. Sorry.

Filed Under: 1

http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

The day they turn off “analog” TV is the day I give up watching TV …

I have often opined – as a person born in 1959 – that I “have watched the birth and death of TV in a single lifetime” …

if MSM thinks that I am going to watch their garbage and pay for it – they have another think coming – they earn enough from advertising without milking me for yet another revenue stream ..

I already boycott ANY products that are shown on commercial TV – now the next logical step is to boycott any form of PAY TV – and only watch the free channels …

.. hey! it might not be current – but at least my brainwashing isn’t up-to-date either …

.. if this continues I might even rediscover the “art of conversation” ™ ..
http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

The day they turn off “analog” TV is the day I give up watching TV …

I have often opined – as a person born in 1959 – that I “have watched the birth and death of TV in a single lifetime” …

if MSM thinks that I am going to watch their garbage and pay for it – they have another think coming – they earn enough from advertising without milking me for yet another revenue stream ..

I already boycott ANY products that are shown on commercial TV – now the next logical step is to boycott any form of PAY TV – and only watch the free channels …

.. hey! it might not be current – but at least my brainwashing isn’t up-to-date either …

.. if this continues I might even rediscover the “art of conversation” ™ ..
http://drk.hackershandbook.net drk

The day they turn off “analog” TV is the day I give up watching TV …

I have often opined – as a person born in 1959 – that I “have watched the birth and death of TV in a single lifetime” …

if MSM thinks that I am going to watch their garbage and pay for it – they have another think coming – they earn enough from advertising without milking me for yet another revenue stream ..

I already boycott ANY products that are shown on commercial TV – now the next logical step is to boycott any form of PAY TV – and only watch the free channels …

.. hey! it might not be current – but at least my brainwashing isn’t up-to-date either …

.. if this continues I might even rediscover the “art of conversation” ™ ..
http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

I forgot to mention HDTV means: “You get to watch the same shit” – but on a bigger screen with a “higher resolution” ..

gimme a break … like I need an HDTV screen to watch hollywood garbage at a “higher resolution” ..

.. with the average hollywood output these days – the smaller the screen the better ..
http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

I forgot to mention HDTV means: “You get to watch the same shit” – but on a bigger screen with a “higher resolution” ..

gimme a break … like I need an HDTV screen to watch hollywood garbage at a “higher resolution” ..

.. with the average hollywood output these days – the smaller the screen the better ..
http://drk.hackershandbook.net drk

I forgot to mention HDTV means: “You get to watch the same shit” – but on a bigger screen with a “higher resolution” ..

gimme a break … like I need an HDTV screen to watch hollywood garbage at a “higher resolution” ..

.. with the average hollywood output these days – the smaller the screen the better ..
http://blogs.technet.com/james James O’Neill

Robert, I know that you know there is a world outside America. You’ve been there.

So how come you ignore the fact that other countries are turning off Analog ? See posts above. In Europe (and Australia) we’re using DVB-T which goes over the same spectrum as analog, and adapter boxes are cheap (or built in to new TVs).

Interesting that your next post after this one was about how Americans are fed a diet of trivia from home but don’t know what is happening in other countries.
http://blogs.technet.com/james James O’Neill

Robert, I know that you know there is a world outside America. You’ve been there.

So how come you ignore the fact that other countries are turning off Analog ? See posts above. In Europe (and Australia) we’re using DVB-T which goes over the same spectrum as analog, and adapter boxes are cheap (or built in to new TVs).

Interesting that your next post after this one was about how Americans are fed a diet of trivia from home but don’t know what is happening in other countries.
http://blogs.technet.com/james James O’Neill

Robert, I know that you know there is a world outside America. You’ve been there.

So how come you ignore the fact that other countries are turning off Analog ? See posts above. In Europe (and Australia) we’re using DVB-T which goes over the same spectrum as analog, and adapter boxes are cheap (or built in to new TVs).

Interesting that your next post after this one was about how Americans are fed a diet of trivia from home but don’t know what is happening in other countries.
Peter

@37,

I think that Robert is such in a dream of his HDTV, he forgets about the rest of the world, even though he physically travels out and about.

Robert, I’m glad you like your HDTV. But… most people cannot afford what you blatently waste money on. No one NEEDS a huge TV and surround sound systems.

One of the things I love about Europe and South America is being with real people. These people may or may not be able to afford over-priced TVs and sound systems, but watching a soccer game on a 22″ TV set with people like this is refreshing. I like being with the everyday man, not well-to-do geeks whose passion is overpriced junk that they could very well live without.

Let me make a statement to everyone, and there is NO disputing this statement, try as you might.

If you buy all your high-end fancy digital equipment and pay cash (read: not in debt), and all your essentials are paid for, then more power to you, BUT, if you buy all this glorious overpriced junk, AND go into debt for it (read: you still owe after the stuff is home), then you have issues.

I learned a long time ago after years of being stupid when it came to money, that if you want something and can buy it with cash/ATM card, then do it, as long as you can afford the essentials. But if you have to charge items, you have issues with understanding money. Credit cards are the main reason the vast majority of Americans are in debt to lenders and not in control of their own finances.

Take some good advice from me, even though you may disagree with some of what I have to say in here…

Buy only what you can afford. Just becuase all of your blog hereoes and the whiz-bang gadget sites say you need something is no indication you do. We all suffer from geek lust, but having the maturity to handle it, like Robert’s dad is a mark of good financial control. You’ll thank yourselves later when you need money and don’t have to go into evil debt to pay something you actually need off.
Peter

@37,

I think that Robert is such in a dream of his HDTV, he forgets about the rest of the world, even though he physically travels out and about.

Robert, I’m glad you like your HDTV. But… most people cannot afford what you blatently waste money on. No one NEEDS a huge TV and surround sound systems.

One of the things I love about Europe and South America is being with real people. These people may or may not be able to afford over-priced TVs and sound systems, but watching a soccer game on a 22″ TV set with people like this is refreshing. I like being with the everyday man, not well-to-do geeks whose passion is overpriced junk that they could very well live without.

Let me make a statement to everyone, and there is NO disputing this statement, try as you might.

If you buy all your high-end fancy digital equipment and pay cash (read: not in debt), and all your essentials are paid for, then more power to you, BUT, if you buy all this glorious overpriced junk, AND go into debt for it (read: you still owe after the stuff is home), then you have issues.

I learned a long time ago after years of being stupid when it came to money, that if you want something and can buy it with cash/ATM card, then do it, as long as you can afford the essentials. But if you have to charge items, you have issues with understanding money. Credit cards are the main reason the vast majority of Americans are in debt to lenders and not in control of their own finances.

Take some good advice from me, even though you may disagree with some of what I have to say in here…

Buy only what you can afford. Just becuase all of your blog hereoes and the whiz-bang gadget sites say you need something is no indication you do. We all suffer from geek lust, but having the maturity to handle it, like Robert’s dad is a mark of good financial control. You’ll thank yourselves later when you need money and don’t have to go into evil debt to pay something you actually need off.
Peter

@37,

I think that Robert is such in a dream of his HDTV, he forgets about the rest of the world, even though he physically travels out and about.

Robert, I’m glad you like your HDTV. But… most people cannot afford what you blatently waste money on. No one NEEDS a huge TV and surround sound systems.

One of the things I love about Europe and South America is being with real people. These people may or may not be able to afford over-priced TVs and sound systems, but watching a soccer game on a 22″ TV set with people like this is refreshing. I like being with the everyday man, not well-to-do geeks whose passion is overpriced junk that they could very well live without.

Let me make a statement to everyone, and there is NO disputing this statement, try as you might.

If you buy all your high-end fancy digital equipment and pay cash (read: not in debt), and all your essentials are paid for, then more power to you, BUT, if you buy all this glorious overpriced junk, AND go into debt for it (read: you still owe after the stuff is home), then you have issues.

I learned a long time ago after years of being stupid when it came to money, that if you want something and can buy it with cash/ATM card, then do it, as long as you can afford the essentials. But if you have to charge items, you have issues with understanding money. Credit cards are the main reason the vast majority of Americans are in debt to lenders and not in control of their own finances.

Take some good advice from me, even though you may disagree with some of what I have to say in here…

Buy only what you can afford. Just becuase all of your blog hereoes and the whiz-bang gadget sites say you need something is no indication you do. We all suffer from geek lust, but having the maturity to handle it, like Robert’s dad is a mark of good financial control. You’ll thank yourselves later when you need money and don’t have to go into evil debt to pay something you actually need off.
Peter

Before I forget…

Some of you will undoubtedly give me the lame argument that you pay off your credit card balances every month. So what?

If you can afford to pay them off every month, pay for the item in cash/ATM card be done with it.

I took Dave Ramsey’s advice and cut up my credit cards. I use cash and ATM card only for everything. Having or not having credit cards does not affect your credit rating. Your credit rating is tied to much more than mere credit cards. The most important method to achieving great credit is to never have balances. Pay your utilities every month and you help build great credit. Paying your rent or mortgage on time every month also helps with great credit.

Go an read about credit debt ceilings. Most Americans don’t even have a clue what this even entails.

In a nutshell…

Let’s say you make $50,000 a year.
Let’s also say you have $12,000 in mortgage/rent costs.
Let’s say you have two credit cards, each with a $10,000 limit. Let’s assume for simplicity, you have no balance at the moment.
Let’s assume you have a car payment of $400 a month.

Ok, before even buying food, gas, utilities, and other essentials, you are already spending $1,400.00 a month.

Credit agencies look at what’s called a credit debt ceiling, which is how much you COULD be in debt, not neccessarily how much you ARE in debt.

With the example above, after applicable taxes, the person makes about $35,000 after taxes.

Divide 35,000 into 26 paychecks, which yields around $1346 a paycheck or $2692 a month take home.

After that $1,400 for home and car you’re left with $1292. You still need gas, groceries, health insurance, utilities to pay.

Let’s say all that costs about $900 a month. You’re left with $392. What about your savings? What about your emergency fund?

If you really want that big screen TV, save $50 a month until you have the money. There is no way someone making the above average American salary of 50k can reliably buy all the goodies they want and NOT go into debt.

If you’re an overpaid geek, then the above may or may not apply to you. Remember, though, that if your mortgage exceeds more than 25% of your take home income, you went wrong somewhere.

Just some things to think about…
Peter

Before I forget…

Some of you will undoubtedly give me the lame argument that you pay off your credit card balances every month. So what?

If you can afford to pay them off every month, pay for the item in cash/ATM card be done with it.

I took Dave Ramsey’s advice and cut up my credit cards. I use cash and ATM card only for everything. Having or not having credit cards does not affect your credit rating. Your credit rating is tied to much more than mere credit cards. The most important method to achieving great credit is to never have balances. Pay your utilities every month and you help build great credit. Paying your rent or mortgage on time every month also helps with great credit.

Go an read about credit debt ceilings. Most Americans don’t even have a clue what this even entails.

In a nutshell…

Let’s say you make $50,000 a year.
Let’s also say you have $12,000 in mortgage/rent costs.
Let’s say you have two credit cards, each with a $10,000 limit. Let’s assume for simplicity, you have no balance at the moment.
Let’s assume you have a car payment of $400 a month.

Ok, before even buying food, gas, utilities, and other essentials, you are already spending $1,400.00 a month.

Credit agencies look at what’s called a credit debt ceiling, which is how much you COULD be in debt, not neccessarily how much you ARE in debt.

With the example above, after applicable taxes, the person makes about $35,000 after taxes.

Divide 35,000 into 26 paychecks, which yields around $1346 a paycheck or $2692 a month take home.

After that $1,400 for home and car you’re left with $1292. You still need gas, groceries, health insurance, utilities to pay.

Let’s say all that costs about $900 a month. You’re left with $392. What about your savings? What about your emergency fund?

If you really want that big screen TV, save $50 a month until you have the money. There is no way someone making the above average American salary of 50k can reliably buy all the goodies they want and NOT go into debt.

If you’re an overpaid geek, then the above may or may not apply to you. Remember, though, that if your mortgage exceeds more than 25% of your take home income, you went wrong somewhere.

Just some things to think about…
Peter

Before I forget…

Some of you will undoubtedly give me the lame argument that you pay off your credit card balances every month. So what?

If you can afford to pay them off every month, pay for the item in cash/ATM card be done with it.

I took Dave Ramsey’s advice and cut up my credit cards. I use cash and ATM card only for everything. Having or not having credit cards does not affect your credit rating. Your credit rating is tied to much more than mere credit cards. The most important method to achieving great credit is to never have balances. Pay your utilities every month and you help build great credit. Paying your rent or mortgage on time every month also helps with great credit.

Go an read about credit debt ceilings. Most Americans don’t even have a clue what this even entails.

In a nutshell…

Let’s say you make $50,000 a year.
Let’s also say you have $12,000 in mortgage/rent costs.
Let’s say you have two credit cards, each with a $10,000 limit. Let’s assume for simplicity, you have no balance at the moment.
Let’s assume you have a car payment of $400 a month.

Ok, before even buying food, gas, utilities, and other essentials, you are already spending $1,400.00 a month.

Credit agencies look at what’s called a credit debt ceiling, which is how much you COULD be in debt, not neccessarily how much you ARE in debt.

With the example above, after applicable taxes, the person makes about $35,000 after taxes.

Divide 35,000 into 26 paychecks, which yields around $1346 a paycheck or $2692 a month take home.

After that $1,400 for home and car you’re left with $1292. You still need gas, groceries, health insurance, utilities to pay.

Let’s say all that costs about $900 a month. You’re left with $392. What about your savings? What about your emergency fund?

If you really want that big screen TV, save $50 a month until you have the money. There is no way someone making the above average American salary of 50k can reliably buy all the goodies they want and NOT go into debt.

If you’re an overpaid geek, then the above may or may not apply to you. Remember, though, that if your mortgage exceeds more than 25% of your take home income, you went wrong somewhere.

Just some things to think about…
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

Peter: we already know you’re better than the rest of us. No need to rub it in our faces. I actually I agree with you for a totally different reason. My TV cost $3,800 10 months ago. Today it costs $2,600 (and, is actually a little better resolution). So, if you keep waiting it’ll get even cheaper.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

Peter: we already know you’re better than the rest of us. No need to rub it in our faces. I actually I agree with you for a totally different reason. My TV cost $3,800 10 months ago. Today it costs $2,600 (and, is actually a little better resolution). So, if you keep waiting it’ll get even cheaper.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

Peter: we already know you’re better than the rest of us. No need to rub it in our faces. I actually I agree with you for a totally different reason. My TV cost $3,800 10 months ago. Today it costs $2,600 (and, is actually a little better resolution). So, if you keep waiting it’ll get even cheaper.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: I don’t know about you, but on Friday night my son and I watched MY home HDTV movies made in Europe and the experience was a TON better than those videos would be in SD.

I guess you never heard of the Discovery Channel.

You’re also probably one of those bosses who buys 13-inch monitors for all his workers, right? After all, who needs dual monitors or big 30-inch Apple Cinema displays. Forget all the productivity that you would get from those.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: I don’t know about you, but on Friday night my son and I watched MY home HDTV movies made in Europe and the experience was a TON better than those videos would be in SD.

I guess you never heard of the Discovery Channel.

You’re also probably one of those bosses who buys 13-inch monitors for all his workers, right? After all, who needs dual monitors or big 30-inch Apple Cinema displays. Forget all the productivity that you would get from those.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: I don’t know about you, but on Friday night my son and I watched MY home HDTV movies made in Europe and the experience was a TON better than those videos would be in SD.

I guess you never heard of the Discovery Channel.

You’re also probably one of those bosses who buys 13-inch monitors for all his workers, right? After all, who needs dual monitors or big 30-inch Apple Cinema displays. Forget all the productivity that you would get from those.
http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

RScoble: I have no problem with anyone watching their own home movies on whatever they want – but I am not willing to watch Hollywood/MSM garbage on a HDTV that costs $$$$$s – life is too short – and the movies are just as crap whatever the size of the screen ..

As for “my workers” – back in the day when I could be bothered to be an “IT Manager” I always believed that the best way forward for productivity was to give them what they wanted .. dual screens were the thing in those days .. and regular days off so they could see their families … (I could only guarantee the former though *lol*)

Discovery Channel – I wish!! Here in Spain we only get Discovery if I go out and buy a “Digi-Box” rather than use my Analog TV – which was where the conversation started .. no?

My point is that 99.99% of the output of MSM is complete and utter garbage anyhow – and if they switch off the analog system I’ll do something more useful with my life – like take up knitting, playing carrom, or even talking to people …
http://drk.hackershandbook.net/ drk

RScoble: I have no problem with anyone watching their own home movies on whatever they want – but I am not willing to watch Hollywood/MSM garbage on a HDTV that costs $$$$$s – life is too short – and the movies are just as crap whatever the size of the screen ..

As for “my workers” – back in the day when I could be bothered to be an “IT Manager” I always believed that the best way forward for productivity was to give them what they wanted .. dual screens were the thing in those days .. and regular days off so they could see their families … (I could only guarantee the former though *lol*)

Discovery Channel – I wish!! Here in Spain we only get Discovery if I go out and buy a “Digi-Box” rather than use my Analog TV – which was where the conversation started .. no?

My point is that 99.99% of the output of MSM is complete and utter garbage anyhow – and if they switch off the analog system I’ll do something more useful with my life – like take up knitting, playing carrom, or even talking to people …
http://drk.hackershandbook.net drk

RScoble: I have no problem with anyone watching their own home movies on whatever they want – but I am not willing to watch Hollywood/MSM garbage on a HDTV that costs $$$$$s – life is too short – and the movies are just as crap whatever the size of the screen ..

As for “my workers” – back in the day when I could be bothered to be an “IT Manager” I always believed that the best way forward for productivity was to give them what they wanted .. dual screens were the thing in those days .. and regular days off so they could see their families … (I could only guarantee the former though *lol*)

Discovery Channel – I wish!! Here in Spain we only get Discovery if I go out and buy a “Digi-Box” rather than use my Analog TV – which was where the conversation started .. no?

My point is that 99.99% of the output of MSM is complete and utter garbage anyhow – and if they switch off the analog system I’ll do something more useful with my life – like take up knitting, playing carrom, or even talking to people …
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: never underestimate the American public’s willingness to consume crap. Which might explain why CNN and FOX spent so much time on Anna Nicole Smith’s death and why, at dinner last night (normal people, not geeks), were talking about Britney Spears and her bald head. Sigh.

But, that actually brings up a good point. Yesterday Dave Winer, me, and Patrick went to see a movie. Total cost? About $40. I don’t see anyone here saying “families under $50,000 incomes can’t afford movies anymore).”

You can buy a $1,000 TV for about $40 a month payments at Best Buy. I know if I was on a fixed income that I’d rather have a big-screen TV at home, than go to movies.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: never underestimate the American public’s willingness to consume crap. Which might explain why CNN and FOX spent so much time on Anna Nicole Smith’s death and why, at dinner last night (normal people, not geeks), were talking about Britney Spears and her bald head. Sigh.

But, that actually brings up a good point. Yesterday Dave Winer, me, and Patrick went to see a movie. Total cost? About $40. I don’t see anyone here saying “families under $50,000 incomes can’t afford movies anymore).”

You can buy a $1,000 TV for about $40 a month payments at Best Buy. I know if I was on a fixed income that I’d rather have a big-screen TV at home, than go to movies.
http://scobleizer.com/ Robert Scoble

DRK: never underestimate the American public’s willingness to consume crap. Which might explain why CNN and FOX spent so much time on Anna Nicole Smith’s death and why, at dinner last night (normal people, not geeks), were talking about Britney Spears and her bald head. Sigh.

But, that actually brings up a good point. Yesterday Dave Winer, me, and Patrick went to see a movie. Total cost? About $40. I don’t see anyone here saying “families under $50,000 incomes can’t afford movies anymore).”

You can buy a $1,000 TV for about $40 a month payments at Best Buy. I know if I was on a fixed income that I’d rather have a big-screen TV at home, than go to movies.
Bob

I’m in rural Kentucky. I can get eight analog stations via antenna, of which five are watchable to crystal clear. Those five are all currently broadcast digital signals too – at their maximum allowed power – but I can recieve only one.

Therein lies a big problem for rural customers whether those in the plains or those in the mountains. We require those signals for news and weather (for crops and farming or severe weather warnings).

Cable is very expensive *if* we can even get it and one tree or pole down during a storm can take out weather broadcasts for a community for days. Since digital signals require far less power they were restricted to far less power, but hilly terrain and vast expanses weren’t fully accounted for so they don’t reach as many of us.

Then there are the issues you discuss. We’ve got multiple tvs, some 15 years old. If we could buy one converter box and it could simultaneously serve all our analog tvs watching different channels at once we’d accept it, but that’s not the case. It’d be $100+ per tv. That’s not acceptible.
Bob

I’m in rural Kentucky. I can get eight analog stations via antenna, of which five are watchable to crystal clear. Those five are all currently broadcast digital signals too – at their maximum allowed power – but I can recieve only one.

Therein lies a big problem for rural customers whether those in the plains or those in the mountains. We require those signals for news and weather (for crops and farming or severe weather warnings).

Cable is very expensive *if* we can even get it and one tree or pole down during a storm can take out weather broadcasts for a community for days. Since digital signals require far less power they were restricted to far less power, but hilly terrain and vast expanses weren’t fully accounted for so they don’t reach as many of us.

Then there are the issues you discuss. We’ve got multiple tvs, some 15 years old. If we could buy one converter box and it could simultaneously serve all our analog tvs watching different channels at once we’d accept it, but that’s not the case. It’d be $100+ per tv. That’s not acceptible.
Bob

I’m in rural Kentucky. I can get eight analog stations via antenna, of which five are watchable to crystal clear. Those five are all currently broadcast digital signals too – at their maximum allowed power – but I can recieve only one.

Therein lies a big problem for rural customers whether those in the plains or those in the mountains. We require those signals for news and weather (for crops and farming or severe weather warnings).

Cable is very expensive *if* we can even get it and one tree or pole down during a storm can take out weather broadcasts for a community for days. Since digital signals require far less power they were restricted to far less power, but hilly terrain and vast expanses weren’t fully accounted for so they don’t reach as many of us.

Then there are the issues you discuss. We’ve got multiple tvs, some 15 years old. If we could buy one converter box and it could simultaneously serve all our analog tvs watching different channels at once we’d accept it, but that’s not the case. It’d be $100+ per tv. That’s not acceptible.
Peter

@40,

Scoble, I never said I was better than the rest of you. Quite the contrary. I make far less than most people on the blog. I drive a beater Japanese car, and I live in a small house.

What I am is cautious, experienced, and savvy. I’ve been in the military, attended and graduated from college, made tons of mistakes, held 3 careers, and have learned a ton along the way, particularly about fincances.

If I tell your readership about financial responisbility, then I’m trying to help becuase I’ve made the stupid mistakes.

Scoble, your problem is you are too caught up in the news you sell to your readership. HDTV is NOT a panacea. Full stop.

Poster #36 nailed it.

Scoble, introducing God into a blog discussion is doing nothing wrong. If you think so, you have issues. That’s the problem with this country… we’ve become a nation of pagans, of tolerance, of anything goes…

God matters. In the end, He’s all that matters. Not your TV or you cars, etc.

No one is better than anyone else, Robert. I see things differently because while I’m a couple of years younger than you, I have worlds of experience over you. You’ve visited Europe. I lived there for almost 8 years. You’ve been to Asia. I lived there for almost 3 years. I’ve lived all over in the US. I’ve held 3 different careers. When I talk about debt, I know what I speak of. I used to be in debt, but I got wise and got out. What I offered above was sage advice. Debt is evil. Full stop. And there you went telling someone to go buy a TV from Best Buy on a $40 a month plan. Dude, you should be selling common sense on this blog instead of bunk like debt. Getting a TV should be a simple purchase of choose, buy, instantly own, not protracted debt of even $40 a month.

I’m not better, Robert, just wiser.
Peter

@40,

Scoble, I never said I was better than the rest of you. Quite the contrary. I make far less than most people on the blog. I drive a beater Japanese car, and I live in a small house.

What I am is cautious, experienced, and savvy. I’ve been in the military, attended and graduated from college, made tons of mistakes, held 3 careers, and have learned a ton along the way, particularly about fincances.

If I tell your readership about financial responisbility, then I’m trying to help becuase I’ve made the stupid mistakes.

Scoble, your problem is you are too caught up in the news you sell to your readership. HDTV is NOT a panacea. Full stop.

Poster #36 nailed it.

Scoble, introducing God into a blog discussion is doing nothing wrong. If you think so, you have issues. That’s the problem with this country… we’ve become a nation of pagans, of tolerance, of anything goes…

God matters. In the end, He’s all that matters. Not your TV or you cars, etc.

No one is better than anyone else, Robert. I see things differently because while I’m a couple of years younger than you, I have worlds of experience over you. You’ve visited Europe. I lived there for almost 8 years. You’ve been to Asia. I lived there for almost 3 years. I’ve lived all over in the US. I’ve held 3 different careers. When I talk about debt, I know what I speak of. I used to be in debt, but I got wise and got out. What I offered above was sage advice. Debt is evil. Full stop. And there you went telling someone to go buy a TV from Best Buy on a $40 a month plan. Dude, you should be selling common sense on this blog instead of bunk like debt. Getting a TV should be a simple purchase of choose, buy, instantly own, not protracted debt of even $40 a month.

I’m not better, Robert, just wiser.
Peter

@40,

Scoble, I never said I was better than the rest of you. Quite the contrary. I make far less than most people on the blog. I drive a beater Japanese car, and I live in a small house.

What I am is cautious, experienced, and savvy. I’ve been in the military, attended and graduated from college, made tons of mistakes, held 3 careers, and have learned a ton along the way, particularly about fincances.

If I tell your readership about financial responisbility, then I’m trying to help becuase I’ve made the stupid mistakes.

Scoble, your problem is you are too caught up in the news you sell to your readership. HDTV is NOT a panacea. Full stop.

Poster #36 nailed it.

Scoble, introducing God into a blog discussion is doing nothing wrong. If you think so, you have issues. That’s the problem with this country… we’ve become a nation of pagans, of tolerance, of anything goes…

God matters. In the end, He’s all that matters. Not your TV or you cars, etc.

No one is better than anyone else, Robert. I see things differently because while I’m a couple of years younger than you, I have worlds of experience over you. You’ve visited Europe. I lived there for almost 8 years. You’ve been to Asia. I lived there for almost 3 years. I’ve lived all over in the US. I’ve held 3 different careers. When I talk about debt, I know what I speak of. I used to be in debt, but I got wise and got out. What I offered above was sage advice. Debt is evil. Full stop. And there you went telling someone to go buy a TV from Best Buy on a $40 a month plan. Dude, you should be selling common sense on this blog instead of bunk like debt. Getting a TV should be a simple purchase of choose, buy, instantly own, not protracted debt of even $40 a month.

I’m not better, Robert, just wiser.
http://prolificprogrammer.com/blog Hasan

@45,
You write:
Debt is evil.

I respectfully disagree. While most debt may be evil, some debt (education/house mortage come to mind) are not evil. In fact, just try to buy a place in San Francisco using cash. I bought my flat at age 26. Could you do that? I don’t think so. So, while I have some debt now, it’s against an asset that will appreciate over time. If you want to make such an all-encompassing statement regarding debt being evil, I don’t think your “authority” is worth its weight in sand.
http://prolificprogrammer.com/blog Hasan

@45,
You write:
Debt is evil.

I respectfully disagree. While most debt may be evil, some debt (education/house mortage come to mind) are not evil. In fact, just try to buy a place in San Francisco using cash. I bought my flat at age 26. Could you do that? I don’t think so. So, while I have some debt now, it’s against an asset that will appreciate over time. If you want to make such an all-encompassing statement regarding debt being evil, I don’t think your “authority” is worth its weight in sand.
http://prolificprogrammer.com/blog Hasan

@45,
You write:
Debt is evil.

I respectfully disagree. While most debt may be evil, some debt (education/house mortage come to mind) are not evil. In fact, just try to buy a place in San Francisco using cash. I bought my flat at age 26. Could you do that? I don’t think so. So, while I have some debt now, it’s against an asset that will appreciate over time. If you want to make such an all-encompassing statement regarding debt being evil, I don’t think your “authority” is worth its weight in sand.
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Christian Clark

The switch will happen. First of all, Gareth Simpson is right. You all are mixing up HD with digital. One can still go buy a tube television for 200 dollars, with a digital tuner built in….right now! The digital tuners just aren’t in the smaller televisions. And also, the switch isn’t to HD….the switch is to digital broadcasting. Many people don’t know this, but with a simple set of rabbit ears, you can still pick up a high definition signal, as long as the TV has an ATSC (digital) tuner. So it isn’t like rabbit ears will be going out either. Of course it is smarter to have digital cable or sat. because you get much better reception. on top of all that, the government has already pushed this date back once, twice will probably not happen.
Christian Clark

The switch will happen. First of all, Gareth Simpson is right. You all are mixing up HD with digital. One can still go buy a tube television for 200 dollars, with a digital tuner built in….right now! The digital tuners just aren’t in the smaller televisions. And also, the switch isn’t to HD….the switch is to digital broadcasting. Many people don’t know this, but with a simple set of rabbit ears, you can still pick up a high definition signal, as long as the TV has an ATSC (digital) tuner. So it isn’t like rabbit ears will be going out either. Of course it is smarter to have digital cable or sat. because you get much better reception. on top of all that, the government has already pushed this date back once, twice will probably not happen.
Christian Clark

The switch will happen. First of all, Gareth Simpson is right. You all are mixing up HD with digital. One can still go buy a tube television for 200 dollars, with a digital tuner built in….right now! The digital tuners just aren’t in the smaller televisions. And also, the switch isn’t to HD….the switch is to digital broadcasting. Many people don’t know this, but with a simple set of rabbit ears, you can still pick up a high definition signal, as long as the TV has an ATSC (digital) tuner. So it isn’t like rabbit ears will be going out either. Of course it is smarter to have digital cable or sat. because you get much better reception. on top of all that, the government has already pushed this date back once, twice will probably not happen.
http://askasmartguy.com/ Dave

“Of course it is smarter to have cable or satelite” how does having cable or satelite make you smarter? How smart is a society where having a high definition television is the goal to some people? Hi my name is joe idiot, can I please pay to watch commercials. I mean when cable and satelite were first out, there were no commercials, and that was the selling point. Now we have a discovery channel with reality shows, a weather channel that tells you it’s raining on a sunny day, a food network that says it’s ok to spend 50 dollars for lunch. WTF is going on? I guess my grandfather was right he used to tell me ” I’m not crazy, the world is crazy”
http://askasmartguy.com/ Dave

“Of course it is smarter to have cable or satelite” how does having cable or satelite make you smarter? How smart is a society where having a high definition television is the goal to some people? Hi my name is joe idiot, can I please pay to watch commercials. I mean when cable and satelite were first out, there were no commercials, and that was the selling point. Now we have a discovery channel with reality shows, a weather channel that tells you it’s raining on a sunny day, a food network that says it’s ok to spend 50 dollars for lunch. WTF is going on? I guess my grandfather was right he used to tell me ” I’m not crazy, the world is crazy”
http://askasmartguy.com Dave

“Of course it is smarter to have cable or satelite” how does having cable or satelite make you smarter? How smart is a society where having a high definition television is the goal to some people? Hi my name is joe idiot, can I please pay to watch commercials. I mean when cable and satelite were first out, there were no commercials, and that was the selling point. Now we have a discovery channel with reality shows, a weather channel that tells you it’s raining on a sunny day, a food network that says it’s ok to spend 50 dollars for lunch. WTF is going on? I guess my grandfather was right he used to tell me ” I’m not crazy, the world is crazy”
Broadcast Engineer

It will happen. What is uncertain is how many people will freak out when suddenly all the channels are off the air at the same time. Will they think it was a terrorist attack?
Broadcast Engineer

It will happen. What is uncertain is how many people will freak out when suddenly all the channels are off the air at the same time. Will they think it was a terrorist attack?
Geofrey

I DETEST digital and the idea of “the switchover” makes me want to puke, I have a lovely old television from the sixties and it works like a charm, so I do not want to buy one these new televisions if I have a perfectly good one. My mother has a digital box and quite frankly its rubbish, you would be lucky to be able to watch a half hour programme before looking for a mallet to dstroy it. It has terrible interference and when (if) this switch over happens there would be no point watching the television. I will NEVER EVER do digital.
Geofrey

I DETEST digital and the idea of “the switchover” makes me want to puke, I have a lovely old television from the sixties and it works like a charm, so I do not want to buy one these new televisions if I have a perfectly good one. My mother has a digital box and quite frankly its rubbish, you would be lucky to be able to watch a half hour programme before looking for a mallet to dstroy it. It has terrible interference and when (if) this switch over happens there would be no point watching the television. I will NEVER EVER do digital.
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Bjers

Hi Robert,
Analog TV will be shut down. Why should you keep an energy consuming, very limited to develop and bad picture quality technique running? In sweden the whole nation has switched to DTV during the past two years. It has went smoother than anyone expected, even politiceners. Most consumers LIKE DTV. Even old people. Even if they have to deal with a new remote and the cost of installing DTV. People want more channels / multicasting. And here in the US you will make space for more wireless developments. Not to forgett the “blue light” communications that can save lives. Look beyond the “roadbump” – to make people shift – and discover the improvements. But you as many others confuse the transition to DTV with HDTV. You can get HDTV OTA (over the air) Hey – that’s not possible in most European countries! wow.
Let’s go DTV Now..

Anders Bjers (your cubicle neighbour at podtech)
Blog: dtvbrief.wordpress.com
Bjers

Hi Robert,
Analog TV will be shut down. Why should you keep an energy consuming, very limited to develop and bad picture quality technique running? In sweden the whole nation has switched to DTV during the past two years. It has went smoother than anyone expected, even politiceners. Most consumers LIKE DTV. Even old people. Even if they have to deal with a new remote and the cost of installing DTV. People want more channels / multicasting. And here in the US you will make space for more wireless developments. Not to forgett the “blue light” communications that can save lives. Look beyond the “roadbump” – to make people shift – and discover the improvements. But you as many others confuse the transition to DTV with HDTV. You can get HDTV OTA (over the air) Hey – that’s not possible in most European countries! wow.
Let’s go DTV Now..

Anders Bjers (your cubicle neighbour at podtech)
Blog: dtvbrief.wordpress.com

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