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Impact of ATSC mandate on future DVDR/HDD models.

post #1 of 16
1/2/07 at 1:15am
Thread Starter 
I really don't expect to see DVDR/HDD units as we know then with an added ATSC tuner.

It would be nice if they would be made and allow recording at the max bit rate available to DVD or better yet DIVx/MPEG4, however, I don't think that would be good for the HD/digital market. Sort of like a duck billed platypus.

I think it is ironic that the FCC would mandate ATSC tuners before there is anything that can record them. But then, maybe that is essentially tipping their hand - they don't really want such a device.

The $64 question is whether to stock up on the pre ATSC DVDR/HDD's?
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post #2 of 16
1/2/07 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 6volt View Post

I really don't expect to see DVDR/HDD units as we know then with an added ATSC tuner.

That would mean that all DVDR/HDD units (as well as VCRs) will have no tuners at all after March, and be capable of recording only via line inputs. I think that is unlikely. As of right now, a lot of people still record analog TV directly off the air, or from basic cable without a STB. Even after analog OTA broadcasts shut down in 2009, analog cable systems will continue for some years. If there's still a market for analog video recording, someone will supply it, at the small expense of adding an ATSC tuner.

Quote:


I think it is ironic that the FCC would mandate ATSC tuners before there is anything that can record them.

Eh? Existing recorders can record a down-rezzed HD signal just fine. And there are already chipsets available specifically for building recorders that accept NTSC/ATSC/QAM signals, and down-rez the signal as appropriate in the recording process. ATSC is not synonymous with HD.
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post #3 of 16
1/2/07 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
jtbell,

I wasn't aware that there were chips to downrez a HD signal.

I know that ATSC does not imply HD, but HD becomes a reality with the ATSC tuner.

I just can't believe they would simply hang an ATSC tuner on current DVDR/HDD units and downrez the signal for recording while providing a HD output for TV's.

On the other hand, there will continue to be NTSC broadcasting and SD TV's made right up to the curfew the way I see it. In fact, I expect the 2009 deadline to be moved back because 90% of the people have no idea what that mandate means.

I've talked with older people that want HDTV's but have no idea what else is involved and I've talked to people that can barely afford the cheapest TV WalMart sells. The latter group is larger than the former in my opinion.

I can just see the turmoil that would occur if the FCC shut down NTSC in 2009. All those people on welfare and SSI and minimum wage jobs would scream bloddy murder when they couldn't watch their soaps or football.

Perhaps the 2009 limit may be more instrumental in my "duck billed platypus" ATSC/DVD/HDD with HD output and SD DVD burning and either SD or HD HDD recording.
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post #4 of 16
1/2/07 at 12:18pm
Quote:


I've talked with older people that want HDTV's but have no idea what else is involved and I've talked to people that can barely afford the cheapest TV WalMart sells. The latter group is larger than the former in my opinion.

I can just see the turmoil that would occur if the FCC shut down NTSC in 2009. All those people on welfare and SSI and minimum wage jobs would scream bloddy murder when they couldn't watch their soaps or football.

That's why the government in its infinite wisdom is going to have the U.S. taxpayers foot the bill for a $40 voucher so that each household can purchase an ATSC tuner.

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC_tuner
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post #5 of 16
1/2/07 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 6volt View Post

On the other hand, there will continue to be NTSC broadcasting and SD TV's made right up to the curfew the way I see it. In fact, I expect the 2009 deadline to be moved back because 90% of the people have no idea what that mandate means.

Some of TVs being made after March might be SD, but they'll have digital tuners so they won't be affected by the analog shutdown.

The small minority (15%) who are OTA only might have a better chance with the Democrats in charge to do something about the 09 shutdown but I think that boat has already sailed. Something quite extra ordinary would have to happen for the shutdown not to take place. All the equipment makers and broadcasters have already spent the money based on that date - the OTA only folks are the last folks who might have say about it - it ain't happening.

For the avg. TV watcher, a 480i recorded signal (downrezed from HD) will look great compared the VHS tape being watched for the last 20 years.
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post #6 of 16
1/2/07 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
vferrari:

Oh My, those $40 vouchers are a hoot! Government is totally insane, no doubt now. About as pathetic as the FCC dropping Morse Code for all levels of HAM radio. (This is almost criminal because HAM used to be the backbone of disaster areas and when that happens, Morse is sometimes the only means of communication.)

biker19:

Even with a free converter box, all of my older cousins (50+) do not know how to connect a simple VCR to a simple TV. So they are not going to know how to do the converter box and the thought of a box AND a vcr is going to put them in a complete panic.

Myself, I don't feel warm and fuzzy unless I have 3 video recording devices hooked up.
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post #7 of 16
1/2/07 at 8:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vferrari View Post

That's why the government in its infinite wisdom is going to have the U.S. taxpayers foot the bill for a $40 voucher so that each household can purchase an ATSC tuner.

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC_tuner

We talk about these ATSC converter boxes for OTA signals, but what about the OTA antennas? My understanding is that an older antenna is not really well suited for receiving digital signals. Won't a lot of antennas have to be replaced as well?
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post #8 of 16
1/2/07 at 8:35pm
Sign me up for that: Perhaps we can add a checkbox to our 1040's> "Check here if you would like to give $1 for the digitally challenged antenna fund."

Actually, I've found that in major metro areas a simple set top antenna will work quite well.
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post #9 of 16
1/2/07 at 9:43pm
This is going to be a bit of a circus, and if it wouldn't impact so many people so seriously, then it would be comical. I wonder how it will all work out? Sometimes progress is painful.
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post #10 of 16
1/2/07 at 10:27pm
Seems like whatever antenna configuration was used to receive analog TV will be sufficient after the transition, asuming that broadcasters give up their 2nd allocation and put the digital signal on their original channel.

An extra predicament here. All the stations I receive are UHF translators operating in spectrum that will be sold off to Corporate America. Come 2009, these go dark and might not be replaced. I've been kinda looking forward to it. Like when the power goes out and you realize that what you hear is the sound of silence.

The $40 coupons remind me of class action settlements where the lawyers make a fortune and consumers get coupons for a pathetic discount when they buy more of the defendant's product.
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post #11 of 16
1/3/07 at 6:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelson View Post

Won't a lot of antennas have to be replaced as well?

No, unless someone has a VHF only antenna and the digital stations are all UHF.
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post #12 of 16
1/3/07 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 6volt View Post

vferrari:

Oh My, those $40 vouchers are a hoot! Government is totally insane, no doubt now. About as pathetic as the FCC dropping Morse Code for all levels of HAM radio. (This is almost criminal because HAM used to be the backbone of disaster areas and when that happens, Morse is sometimes the only means of communication.)

Myself, I don't feel warm and fuzzy unless I have 3 video recording devices hooked up.

This likely means that eBay is gonna be flooded with those purchased with the govt cheese and then sold of for profit! LOL
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post #13 of 16
1/4/07 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ncaahoops View Post

This likely means that eBay is gonna be flooded with those purchased with the govt cheese and then sold of for profit! LOL

Let's just hope that nobody gets shot when they're handing out the vouchers .
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post #14 of 16
1/4/07 at 12:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

Let's just hope that nobody gets shot when they're handing out the vouchers .

I hope it's done some indirect way - like write off the $40 on taxes.
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post #15 of 16
1/4/07 at 2:15pm
And China is just to see how much of that $40.00 they can get their hands on when they build them

The first thing they should haved passed if they want to give that much money away was that they had to be Made In The USA & With USA Parts Only.
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post #16 of 16
1/4/07 at 5:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill1313 View Post

And China is just to see how much of that $40.00 they can get their hands on when they build them

The first thing they should haved passed if they want to give that much money away was that they had to be Made In The USA & With USA Parts Only.

Who in the USA makes electronic parts anymore. We gave that business away to asia years ago.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › DVD Recorders (Standard Def) › Impact of ATSC mandate on future DVDR/HDD models.