Digital Television

Today’s world relies incredibly on technology and our dependence on this is still increasing. The increasing technology is one impact of our incredible world that we live in. we can’t do anything without technology and that’s a fact. The world population is growing at a faster rate and is in need of new things, and that’s why technology is important. According to N. Galvin (2007, para.1), “Life without digital is like a pub without no beer.” If we take a closer look at what he just said, life is going to be difficult without technology. As an example he says that his little girl was complaining about a picture taken by her elder sister, who did not want to show her the picture. It is incredible how people depend on technology. Digital television is one big step of technology that humans made possible by their imagination. The history of television started some centuries ago. Early in the 20th century, television was created and was broadcast on local channels. Since the industrial revolution occurred, people have needed to develop their country and have needed new ideas. As a result, we have an incredible evolution in the field of technology. In fact, humans beings should search for a better solution that can fit what people need and that can be benefit them in the future. Digital television can be a bad solution for man because of the transition, the reception and the installation of the materials.

In “ The Basics of Digital Television- AVS Forum”, the author states that, “DTV is a new all-digital system for transmitting, receiving, and viewing higher- quality television image and stereo (surround)) audio” (2004, para.1). The first television was made by Campbell-Swinton and Boris Rosing in 1907. Discoveries that still are in use today and is about to switch to digital sooner. Digital television means “television signals can be transmitted more efficiently, freeing up space for extra channels and services “ Let's Get Digital!” (2007, para.6). The conversion from analog to digital is a big issue even though people don't really know what it is about. It is going to take while before people really understand that and accept the conversion. According to C.P.Scott, “Well, it all goes back to a little invention by Paul Nipkow in 1984 consisting of a disk with holes spiraling into its center. I know it's hard to believe, but this little disk shaped the development of television. Engineers like Lohn Logie Baird and Charles Francis Jenkins,among others, used Nikpow's disk to create the first systems for scanning, transmitting, and receiving images in the 1920's. These guys created entire television systems based on mechanical image scanning and receiving. No cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) here.” After that, Electronic Television followed up and was broadcast in 1935. in 1953, the first color television was broadcast also and started to conquer the market. Today, people watch television worldwide and the developmentof televsion is still progressing. Digital television can be a bad solution for man because of the transition, the reception and the installation of the materials.

First, digital television can negatively affect poor people because of the transition. The transition from analog to digital is surely a good thing. However, how does this transition affect people's lives? We heard on television the commercial about the transition and the way it will affect poor people and how they are going to manage it. According to a survey by J.Fuson (2008, para. 3), “Confusion about the digital television transition will cost consumers a lot of money for equipment they may not want or need.” according to this survey, people are still confused about the digital transition and it will cost them a lot of money. The transition will just benefit the rich people because of their capacity to afford equipment. Furthermore, what about people who are not capable of affording it? We may think these people's standard of living is very dificulut for them to please themselves with such a thing. The government is giving away a coupon to help them, but do you think that they can afford to buy digital converters even though the government gives them coupons? The government's coupon is $40 dollars and what people must come up with is $20. The conversion is a big issue because everybody don't know about that. The transition to analog to digital is going to take a while before people really understand what it is really about. The government thinks that it will help us by having access of freeing up public station and for emergency services. The real problem is how it is going to affect the poor people. Even though the coupon help reduce the price, $20 dollars is a lot of money for the poor people. How can they survive with that? This transition will negatively affect them and they won't be able to afford it.

Next, digital television is bad because of the reception. The program about the digital television transition is stating while they are still on the workeep project. However, the implantation of digital television will be very difficult because of the bad signal that people will receive. According to R. Fuchgott (2008, para.1), “Nearly six million people with digital receivers may still lose TV signals when digital-only broadcasts begin next February, a new study says”. The transmission through space to earth is still imperfect because people will receive fewer channels and will lose their money. Even if people buy a new digital television, it still won't work. The digital transition project is not at its final stage and if the transition occurs, it will just benefit company owners that offer these services. The government should take time and make it stronger. There are many kinds of interference in the transition of digital television. According to Kathleen. Hurst, (2006, Q.6), “I’m sure you've all heard about how whenever it storms, people's satellite go out. Yeah, they weren’t lying. Not only does it go out during a storm, but sometimes even when a good wind blows, you can pretty much plan on finding something more constructive to do than watch TV”. The digital transition should not be used because digital televison is affected by cliffs, buildings, and weather. All these elements are factors that make the digital signal weak and the image disappear. So why does the government still want to make the transition? According to a Greg Tarr (2008, para.1), “(New York — Market research firm Centris has issued a study showing what it calls “serious gaps” in digital TV signal coverage across the country, which could interfere with the successful completion of the digital television transition on Feb. 17, 2009”. The centris make it clear for us to understand what is really going on. This surver is turned into a negative one where people will receive bad signal nationwide. According to Greg (2008, para.6), they think that the signal coverage is going to be very short according to their research and this will be cost them a lot of money. Signal is very important in the accomplisment of digital trasmission. Consumers should be satisfied by what reatilers are offering as a service. Thechnologist can fox that problem because they habe all the equipment and what they need to do so. It going to take time but they will. That's why digital signal is affected.

Finally, we should use digital television because of the installation is difficult. Digital televisiion installation is difficult to fix in a way that when your cable has a problem, it is difficult to fix. The company that offers this service takes time to repair your direct television cable. The repair time is quite long and human beings are people that are never satisfied. According to Kathleen.Hurst (2006, Q.7), '' One of our Direct TV boxes went out one night, and we called the satellite company, they did try to help us over the phone, but after the failed attempts to helps us via the phone, they told us they would send someone out. We were OK with this until they told us it would be a few days until they could make it out. Why would it take so long for them to come out, for the amount we're expected to pay, we should have had someone here the next morning, but i guess that's not how it works''. Their engineers are not well trained to take care of troubleshooting problems that occurs with their systems. They should really try give a better service and a well trained engineers that can be ready for any kind of problems. Today's world need more accuracy and less failure.

Opponents argue that digital television is a good thing and we should use it. They say that digital television gives more options for viewers. According to Harry,J (2007, para.2), '' Digital TV means television signals can be transmitted more efficiently, freeing up space for extra channels and services.'' Next, it offers us better clarity of images and pictures, and a better sound stereo quality. However, their argument is not revelant; people should not rely on these arguments because they should look at the other side of the table. Digital television has many disadvantages that block it from working efficiently. Among these factors, digital television is mostly affected by hills, storms and buildings. Thus, digital television offers more resolution but still has the counter side that makes it weak.

In conclusion, technology is a very good thing that occurs in our century. The 21st century is based on and relies on technology. But do we have to accept anything that comes from the world technology? We have the choice to choose and express our opinion no matter what. Digital television have many disadvantages that the government should be concerned about before taking any steps and regretting it later. All these points that we mentioned are effective problems of digital television, and we have to take them into consideration. The government should provide a good solution to these problems since we already know the weak point of the digital television transition.

References

Furchgott,R. (2008, Feb.11). Many obstacles to Digital TV Reception, study says. The New York Times. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from www.nytimws.com/2008/02/11/technology/analog.html

Fuson,J. (2008, Jan.30). 74 of consumers who knows about Digital Tv Transition have Major Misconfusions, Consumers Reports Surveys Finds. Nonprofit Publisher of Consumer Reports. Retrieved April 14, 2008, from www.consumersunion.org?pub/core_telecom_and_utulities

Galvin,N. (2007, May.21). Can we live without digital technology?. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from www.theage.com.am/news/technology/can-we-live-without-digital-technology

Hurst,K. (2006, Sept.11). 10 Reasons why you should not buy Direct Direct Tv. AC/ The people's Media Company. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://www.associatedcontent.com?article/57904/10_10_reasons_why_you_should_not_buy_direct.htlm

Putman,P.H. (2008, March.24). The basics of Digital television.AVS Forum. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from www.avsforum.com/hdtv.fag

Scott,C.P. (n.d.). TV Grows Up.PBS Mag. Retrived April 09, 2008, from http://www.pbs.org/opb/crashcourse/tv_grows_up/

Wales,J.H. (2007, July. 8). Let's Get Digital! Western Mail and Echo LTD. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from Lexis Nexis database.
(2006, Nov. 13). Quick Guide: Digital swicthover. BBC News. Retrieved April 29, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5239316.stm