On Jan 30, 8:37*am, " wrote:
On Jan 30, 9:31 am, "HeyBub" wrote:

Again.

"[Jan 29th] For the second time, the Senate unanimously passed a bill
Thursday night to delay the transition to digital television by four months
in order to give consumers more time to get ready. "

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...09/01/29/AR200...

it wil be passed by house too.

And it will need to be passed yet again as the delay will only serve
to give those who have been stupid and ignored the deadline will do
exactly the same again and again. There will always be a large
percentage who will wait until after the event to do anything and will
then whine about how they didn't know. Ignorance and procrastination
should not be rewarded.

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the coupons
until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the coupons
specifically stated this fact.

I applied for the coupons within a few days of when they began taking
applications (January 2008). Like everyone else who applied early, they
didn't mail my coupons until a number of retailers (I specifically
remember Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy) had the boxes on the store
shelves. There were plenty on the shelves when I pick up my boxes.

My only complaint was that by applying early I got first generation boxes,
since the coupons were "use it or lose it". I ended up having a another
coupon sent to a friend's house and a got a second generation Zenith with
analog pass through and a slightly better tuner.

--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

Tony Sivori wrote:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the
coupons until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the
coupons specifically stated this fact.


I got my coupons a couple of weeks ago.

I immediately went to two places (Best Buy and Cohn's). Both had converters
but wanted you to add a little vig to the sale. I heard that a local food
store chain had the converters at no additional cost. So I went to the
neighborhood branch.

But I was starting now to worry,
The manager said "We're out,"
"Since just this morning we've been out"
"But we have turnips, figs, and trout,"
"And catelopes and curry."

Before I bolted, feeling sorrow
and run back the way the way that I had come,
I paused to buy a loaf of bread,
And took it with me home to bed,
And ate it every crumb.
I'll try again tomorrow.

Finally found the converters at a store a few miles away.

"Tony Sivori" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the coupons
until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the coupons
specifically stated this fact.

I applied for the coupons within a few days of when they began taking
applications (January 2008). Like everyone else who applied early, they
didn't mail my coupons until a number of retailers (I specifically
remember Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy) had the boxes on the store
shelves. There were plenty on the shelves when I pick up my boxes.


there weren't any when I was at Wal-Mart and Radio Shack early on, even
though I went back several times. I finally got them at Target close to the
deadline.

Cheri

"HeyBub" wrote:

But I was starting now to worry,
The manager said "We're out,"
"Since just this morning we've been out"
"But we have turnips, figs, and trout,"
"And catelopes and curry."

Before I bolted, feeling sorrow
and run back the way the way that I had come,
I paused to buy a loaf of bread,
And took it with me home to bed,
And ate it every crumb.
I'll try again tomorrow.

You wrote a poem detailing your experience of attempting to purchase a
digital convertor box.

That's pretty neat.

Thanks.

Jon

Cheri wrote:
"Tony Sivori" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the coupons
until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the coupons
specifically stated this fact.

I applied for the coupons within a few days of when they began taking
applications (January 2008). Like everyone else who applied early, they
didn't mail my coupons until a number of retailers (I specifically
remember Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy) had the boxes on the store
shelves. There were plenty on the shelves when I pick up my boxes.


there weren't any when I was at Wal-Mart and Radio Shack early on, even
though I went back several times. I finally got them at Target close to
the deadline.

Cheri

More of your coupon money went to IBM than expected
(contracted) ;-)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washing...igitalTV_N.htm

There is a fed site that had the coupon score card, around
June last year more than half the issued coupons expired
unused. In July, we were lucky to find an "unclaimed" RCA
box at Walmart that someone failed to pick up before noon,
after they were called that the shipment came in that
morning. June and July, you had to have your name on a list
for them.

$70 converters is the only thing that kept Rat Shak in
business last year. More retailers signed up after seeing
there was real money is selling boxes. The whole coupon
master plan is in the federal register. It's funny that
everyone is using the advertising grants to sell their own
cable and sat service as a public service that you need to
sign up before your lousy antenna service quits. AARP even
suggests you join them before your tv quits.

I'll post the score card url if i find it again.

-- larry / dallas

In article ,
"Jon Danniken" wrote:

"HeyBub" wrote:

But I was starting now to worry,
The manager said "We're out,"
"Since just this morning we've been out"
"But we have turnips, figs, and trout,"
"And catelopes and curry."

Before I bolted, feeling sorrow
and run back the way the way that I had come,
I paused to buy a loaf of bread,
And took it with me home to bed,
And ate it every crumb.
I'll try again tomorrow.

You wrote a poem detailing your experience of attempting to purchase a
digital convertor box.

That's pretty neat.

Thanks.

Jon

A poem? That's a pretty charitable term for it.

larry wrote:
Cheri wrote:
"Tony Sivori" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the coupons
until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the coupons
specifically stated this fact.

I applied for the coupons within a few days of when they began taking
applications (January 2008). Like everyone else who applied early, they
didn't mail my coupons until a number of retailers (I specifically
remember Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy) had the boxes on the store
shelves. There were plenty on the shelves when I pick up my boxes.


there weren't any when I was at Wal-Mart and Radio Shack early on,
even though I went back several times. I finally got them at Target
close to the deadline.

Cheri

More of your coupon money went to IBM than expected (contracted) ;-)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washing...igitalTV_N.htm

There is a fed site that had the coupon score card, around June last
year more than half the issued coupons expired unused. In July, we were
lucky to find an "unclaimed" RCA box at Walmart that someone failed to
pick up before noon, after they were called that the shipment came in
that morning. June and July, you had to have your name on a list for them.

$70 converters is the only thing that kept Rat Shak in business last
year. More retailers signed up after seeing there was real money is
selling boxes. The whole coupon master plan is in the federal
register. It's funny that everyone is using the advertising grants to
sell their own cable and sat service as a public service that you need
to sign up before your lousy antenna service quits. AARP even suggests
you join them before your tv quits.

I'll post the score card url if i find it again.

-- larry / dallas


Here's the score card

https://www.dtv2009.gov/Stats.aspx

and here's the page before the score card, it has the
program details. There are spiffs for unused program funds.
Theoretical bonuses for a well run program, wait a minute,
in government!

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html

have fun, ymmv

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:04:42 -0800, Cheri wrote:

"Tony Sivori" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, HeyBub wrote:

3. Not enough convertor boxes were available to meet the initial
demand.

I have a hard time believing this. Fact is, they didn't mail the
coupons until many retailers had boxes in stock. The letter with the
coupons specifically stated this fact.

I applied for the coupons within a few days of when they began taking
applications (January 2008). Like everyone else who applied early, they
didn't mail my coupons until a number of retailers (I specifically
remember Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy) had the boxes on the
store shelves. There were plenty on the shelves when I pick up my
boxes.


there weren't any when I was at Wal-Mart and Radio Shack early on, even
though I went back several times. I finally got them at Target close to
the deadline.

I'm surprised. What type of area do you live in? Big, medium or small
city? Or rural?

I don't recall much discussion back when the first batches of coupons were
mailed about unavailability of boxes. Most of it that I recall was about
which model box to choose.



--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

wrote:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:42:21 -0600, "HeyBub"

I agree, all the gov. would have needed to do was issue a notice that
all coupons sent out before such and such date, would be extended to
August 1, or something like that. I dont understand the point in
having an expiration date anyhow. Why didnt they just make all of
them expire on Feb 17, 2009 or any other set date???

Leave it to the gov to screw things up....

They allocated a certain amount of money. If you didn't use your coupon, they
wanted someone else to get the chance.

Jon Danniken wrote:
"HeyBub" wrote:

But I was starting now to worry,
The manager said "We're out,"
"Since just this morning we've been out"
"But we have turnips, figs, and trout,"
"And catelopes and curry."

Before I bolted, feeling sorrow
and run back the way the way that I had come,
I paused to buy a loaf of bread,
And took it with me home to bed,
And ate it every crumb.
I'll try again tomorrow.

You wrote a poem detailing your experience of attempting to purchase a
digital convertor box.

That's pretty neat.

Thanks.


Actually it's from an earlier poem that begins:

Willie walked with happy heart,
A shiny quarter in his hand,
He went to buy an ice-cream cone,
A triple-decker ice-cream cone,
He marched quite gaily all alone
Up to the ice-cream stand.

"I'd like an ice-cream cone" he said.
The waitress spoke and said "That's nice
"And what will be your flavor please,
"We've thirty-six varities,
"You must be more precise!"

"I'd like a chocolate," he said
After making up his mind,
"We've no chocolate, sir" said she
"But we have cumquat and green pea,
"And watermelon rind."

Willie could not get a word in now,
So swiftly did the waitress speak,
"We have gumbo, bean, and Spanish Rice,
"And pumpkin fudge
"(You'll find that nice),
"Potato, fish, and leek."

and so on.

Anyway, it seemed to fit. Apologies if I got carried away...

On Jan 30, 6:24�pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Jon Danniken wrote:
"HeyBub" wrote:

But I was starting now to worry,
The manager said "We're out,"
"Since just this morning we've been out"
"But we have turnips, figs, and trout,"
"And catelopes and curry."

Before I bolted, feeling sorrow
and run back the way the way that I had come,
I paused to buy a loaf of bread,
And took it with me home to bed,
And ate it every crumb.
I'll try again tomorrow.

You wrote a poem detailing your experience of attempting to purchase a
digital convertor box.

That's pretty neat.

Thanks. �

Actually it's from an earlier poem that begins:

Willie walked with happy heart,
A shiny quarter in his hand,
He went to buy an ice-cream cone,
A triple-decker ice-cream cone,
He marched quite gaily all alone
Up to the ice-cream stand.

"I'd like an ice-cream cone" he said.
The waitress spoke and said "That's nice
"And what will be your flavor please,
"We've thirty-six varities,
"You must be more precise!"

"I'd like a chocolate," he said
After making up his mind,
"We've no chocolate, sir" said she
"But we have cumquat and green pea,
"And watermelon rind."

Willie could not get a word in now,
So swiftly did the waitress speak,
"We have gumbo, bean, and Spanish Rice,
"And pumpkin fudge
"(You'll find that nice),
"Potato, fish, and leek."

and so on.

Anyway, it seemed to fit. Apologies if I got carried away...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


well heres some real numbers Approximate number of people
unable to receive any channels after digital conversion 5.6 mil

"Smitty Two" wrote:

A poem? That's a pretty charitable term for it.

Perhaps you would care to exercise your prowess and grant us the fortune of
a spontaneous inscription of verse and meter of your own creation.

Jon

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:17:59 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:


well heres some real numbers Approximate number of people
unable to receive any channels after digital conversion 5.6 mil


They may be numbers, but they are not real. Where did the numbers come
from, and by what method were they obtained?

wrote in :

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:17:59 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:


well heres some real numbers Approximate number of people
unable to receive any channels after digital conversion 5.6 mil


They may be numbers, but they are not real. Where did the numbers come
from, and by what method were they obtained?



population maps compared to TV coverage maps?

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

On 31 Jan 2009 13:30:24 GMT, Jim Yanik wrote:

wrote in :

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:17:59 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:


well heres some real numbers Approximate number of people
unable to receive any channels after digital conversion 5.6 mil


They may be numbers, but they are not real. Where did the numbers come
from, and by what method were they obtained?



population maps compared to TV coverage maps?

That wouldn't give even an approximately correct answer. How can you
tell on that map, which houses have cable, dish or antenna in use?
Then there are those who don't watch TV at all.

Add to that, the fact that the broadcasters aren't even exactly sure
where the precise perimeter of their coverage will be until they go
live and then do a lot of testing.

The real number of people who have TV reception capability over the
air may INCREASE after the switchover. For every Hallerb, there may be
20,000 people who see BETTER reception.

Hallerb may ultimately end up with better reception. there is NO ONE
who can tell you for certain at this point.

The maps are government generated.

Up till recently they broke down numbers state by state, but the feds
removed those numbers

Anyhow heres a link

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?opti...1&limitstart=1

wrote in :

On 31 Jan 2009 13:30:24 GMT, Jim Yanik wrote:

wrote in :

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:17:59 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:


well heres some real numbers Approximate number of people
unable to receive any channels after digital conversion 5.6 mil


They may be numbers, but they are not real. Where did the numbers come
from, and by what method were they obtained?



population maps compared to TV coverage maps?

That wouldn't give even an approximately correct answer. How can you
tell on that map, which houses have cable, dish or antenna in use?

data from cable/dish companies?
by percentage of cable penetration by zipcode,referenced to total
households.Few households are totally without TVs these days.

Then there are those who don't watch TV at all.

well,those don't count,in any case.

Add to that, the fact that the broadcasters aren't even exactly sure
where the precise perimeter of their coverage will be until they go
live and then do a lot of testing.

Which they HAVE been doing;the broadcasters aren't going to begin DTV on
Feb.17 without having thoroughly tested their DTV setup in
advance.Broadcasters have been simulcasting analog and DTV.

Computer simulations can do very well in regard to predicting coverage
areas,BTW. Broadcasters know their antenna lobe patterns,they map them so
they can orient to optimize coverage for their intended viewing area.

The real number of people who have TV reception capability over the
air may INCREASE after the switchover. For every Hallerb, there may be
20,000 people who see BETTER reception.

Doubtful,as DTV coverage areas are all SMALLER than the older analog.
Fringe areas will be hard hit.(until each station installs repeaters after
losing ratings points and being hit in their advertising revenue.)


Hallerb may ultimately end up with better reception. there is NO ONE
who can tell you for certain at this point.



one thing IS certain;I can't get WESH-TV Ch.2 on DTV,and that's the channel
the Super Bowl is on tomorrow. :-(

tried relocating the antenna to a different part of the apartment,no joy.
Ch.2 DTV is still on VHF...all the UHF channels come in.

so,it's back to analog,which I CAN receive.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Jim Yanik wrote:
....

Doubtful,as DTV coverage areas are all SMALLER than the older analog.
....
Well, not according to the maps in the areas I've looked at -- most are
actually slightly larger expected coverage areas although there are some
that are more directional and do show lobe effects in the DTV map not
present for the same transmitter in analog.

As for adding translators and upping fringe coverage, I have serious
doubts any significant numbers of stations will be doing that--the
numbers will just be too small to make enough difference to the revenue
to justify the cost I expect.

--

As for adding translators and upping fringe coverage, I have serious
doubts any significant numbers of stations will be doing that--the
numbers will just be too small to make enough difference to the revenue
to justify the cost I expect.

--

yeah and more likely the net stations would prefer you watch on
satellite or cable, both of which pay the $ to rebroadcast their
station to you...........

futher adverisers probably conclude the OTA ONLY viewers have little
money to buy their goods.

lastly DVRs digital video recorders that can skip past commewrcials
are changing dramatically the income of the stations

In article ,
"Jon Danniken" wrote:

"Smitty Two" wrote:

A poem? That's a pretty charitable term for it.

Perhaps you would care to exercise your prowess and grant us the fortune of
a spontaneous inscription of verse and meter of your own creation.

Jon

I have skills. One of them is knowing my limitations.