Special Section on the Digital TV Transition

Media Confusion about the Transition to Digital Television Broadcasting
There appears to be much misunderstanding amongst consumers and even in the news media about the upcoming transition to digital television broadcasting (DTV) and it's ramifications. In a recent story regarding DTV, Boston area TV station WBZ made several serious errors. Les Tyler responded to the story in an email to WBZ. Here is his response...

THAT responds to NTIA letter  In a point by point rebuttal to NTIA Assistant Secretary Kneur's correspondence expressing his position on the stereo audio capabilities of digital-to-analog converter boxes, THAT Corporation President Les Tyler corrects the record and reasserts the shortcomings of the NTIA's technical requirements for coupon eligible converter boxes (CECBs).  See the full text of THAT's letter... 

Confused about the DTV Transition?
For more information follow these links:

www.dtvtransition.org

www.dtvanswers.com

NTIA refuses to consider labeling regulations.  THAT believes proper converter box labeling is essential to preventing consumer confusion. In their latest response, the NTIA asserts that "Such regulations are beyond the perview of this program". Read the full text of their letter...

PRESS RELEASE
Consumers and Retailers to Bear Burden of Stereo-Optional Converter Boxes during DTV Transition
In a letter addressed to the Assistant Secretary for Communication and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, THAT Corporation Chief Executive Officer Leslie Tyler called for full disclosure in the form of prominent labeling of the capabilities and more importantly-the limitations-of the recently introduced digital television transition (DTV) converter boxes. Continued...

THAT's July 24th letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration...

DTV News links
Warren's Consumer Electronics Daily
Broadcasting and Cable

THAT Rallies the Government to Reconsider Technical
Specs for Eligible Converter Boxes  In a letter addressed to members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, THAT CEO Leslie Tyler rallied the government to consider the television viewing experience of the more than 75 million Americans who own analog televisions that rely on rooftop antennas, that will be adversely affected by the transition, if stereo sound is not made mandatory in eligible converter boxes. More...

Go directly to THAT's letter to the House Committee...

Consumer Advocates Take Stand on Americans Overlooked by DTV Transition

On Wednesday, July 25th, representatives from AARP, Consumer Electronics Association, Consumers Union, the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council and THAT Corporation took a hard look at the impact of the looming DTV transition on millions of low-income and minority communities who have been overlooked in governmental preparation. More...

BTSC: The Stereo Sound You Enjoy, But Often Take for Granted
Two decades after revolutionizing television viewing, BTSC, the technology necessary to provide stereo sound, is at risk. Congress has mandated that all broadcasting stations must convert from analog to digital on February 17, 2009. Analog TVs receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format. Unfortunately, the converter box for analog televisions does not contain BTSC. Millions of viewers will be affected. Read on...

Don't be caught short when analog TV broadcasts go dark. You need dbx-TV BTSC encoding technology.

Up through late 2008, analog broadcasts will continue in the US. But, after February 2009, broadcasters will be forced to turn off analog transmissions, causing millions of TV sets to display nothing but snow. The US Congress has enacted legislation authorizing a $1.4 Billion assistance program for the purchase of digital-to-analog TV conversion boxes to help ease the transition. Without dbx-TV BTSC encoders inside, those converter boxes will deliver only mono audio to legacy TV sets. The National Telecommunications and Information Agency, who has been tasked with administering the converter box assistance program, allows for the inclusion of BTSC in eligible converter boxes. THAT Corporation offers the winning combination of technology and intellectual property rights in its dbx-TV BTSC encoder licenses. dbx-TV enables all IC makers to deliver the right product at the right time to satisfy this need. For more information about the transition to digital television visit the NTIA website.