Metrocast ready for digital broadcasting
Sunday, June 7th, 2009“We are already broadcasting all the signals in digital. What it comes down to is if there is someone one who is receiving local broadcast channels by an analog antenna, such as rabbit ears, if they don’t obtain a digital antenna or cable service, then they would lose those signals” after June 12, said Lee Beck, Southern region marketing manager for Metrocast.
The bandwidth needed for a digital television station versus analog is that the digital station takes a lot less bandwidth than the analog, Beck said. It frees up bandwidth for a multitude of new programs and services, he said.
“The overall picture and sound quality through digital television will be improved,” Beck said.
“If you are already a customer of Metrocast or any other cable provider, the signals received through cable providers are already converted to digital,” he said.
In a statement issued Thursday, President Barack Obama said: “The transition to digital will free up airwaves for broadband and enhanced emergency communications for our police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.”
In his statement, Obama said he worked with Congress in February to postpone the deadline for the conversion ” … because it was clear that millions of Americans would have been left in the dark if the conversion had gone on as planned. I directed key members of my Administration to reach out and help Americans, especially those in our most vulnerable communities, to make the switch to digital television.”
Obama says the number of people not prepared for the switch has been cut in half.
“Still, some people are not ready. I want to be clear: there will not be another delay. I urge everyone who is not yet prepared to act today, so you don’t lose important news and emergency information,” Obama said. “… I encourage all Americans who are prepared, to talk to their friends, family, and neighbors to make sure they get ready before it’s too late.”
For those wishing to choose to obtain a converter box, a number of retailers offer these devices and the federal government has a program in place which allows consumers to apply for and obtain a coupon to offset the cost of a converter box.
