Small Stations Sue Over Digital TV Plan
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Low-Power television industry is facing a “death warrant” because of an error in the government plan to the issuer to force the transition to digital broadcasting, and a federal judge for a grace period. The Community Broadcasters Association, owners of small television stations, the Federal Communications Commission digital banning all set-top boxes, converters, which are not for the inclusion of an analog signal, requirement that the potential to become a major broadcasters Dérailler transition from color television. Starting from February 18, 2009, all the power of television stations in the United States have an obligation to the issuance of an analog signal. Who gets the programming via an antenna, and not on a new model of digital TV Set having to purchase a box that converts digital signals into analog. The government provides two $ 40 coupons per household can be used to buy these boxes. The problem with Low-Power-2600 television stations represented by the association, is that they do not fall within the deadline. Most converter boxes now effectively for sale to block low-power analog-signal of the station, while the Full-Power Digital signal is normally. The association, in a petition to the American administration the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, on Wednesday, asked the FCC to “stop the marketing and distribution” of boxing. The association cites a 1962 law called the law of receiving all channels was passed in the early years of the UHF broadcasting. The law stipulates that the devices that receive television signals capable of picking up all the frequencies of the Commission for television. ” It is doubtful that many viewers may not be influenced. The association permeates his viewers as well as rural areas, the city served, the elderly and non-English speaking. In addition to the low-power stations, more than 4300 stations translators, enhancing the signal quality of the full power of relay stations and rural areas, are also 2009. Nothing in the law prevents Low-Power stations for the conversion to digital, but for most stations, the cost is prohibitive, according to the association. Ronald Bruno, the president of the Association, said the current converter boxes for the sale of a reduction of spectators for low-power stations. “Whenever a person receives a coupon, buys a box to plug converter and what we lose Viewer,” he said. The petition asks the court to the FCC to act immediately to prohibit the fields and said a delay would be fatal. “The catastrophic consequences of these stations - in effect, a death sentence - irreversibly through all available administrative or judicial review,” they say. The FCC had no comment on the complaint. The converters Box programme will be directly managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Agency spokesman Bart Forbes said, the law permits the designation of the transition does-box digital signal and the NTIA box design specifications are in accordance with the law. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, accused the influence of the association “a tent from 11 am litigation strategy for the entire nation analog.” As of March 25, it reflects the NTIA has received requests for 8.5 million purchase of 4.5 million households. Six digital converters, a permit for the sale of the analog NTIA allow a “Pass-Through” function. According to the NTIA, they are Philco TB150HH9 which Philco TB100HH9 who ECHOSTAR TR-40, TB-100MG9 Magnavox, the DX8700 digital and digital DSP7700T flow. Such a feature would allow television and you receive an analog signal, but said Bruno box “not to establish a mutually acceptable solution” over-the-air-Viewer. “Analog channels to see, spectators will disable Depending on the digital converter box and you use a separate remote control. |