Background: The FCC’s rules mandate that a digital terrestrial tuner be included in all TVs. Congress has determined that U.S. broadcast (or terrestrial) television services must eventually convert completely to digital operation.

Positive.. DTV broadcasters will be able to offer television with movie-quality pictures and Dolby digital surround sound, along with other enhancements Consumers will be able to plug a TV set into an antenna virtually anywhere in the U.S., and if the tuner meets the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) A/74 specification, the TV will receive clear digital service.

Downfall: Unfortunately, the FCC’s ruling on tuners does not mandate that the receiver meet the ATSC specification, which means consumers must be sure to check the performance of the TV they buy. If consumers want to receive advanced digital cable services such as video-on-demand, the cable operator’s enhanced program guide, or interactive data-enhanced television service, they will need to purchase a STB (set-top box).

Questions Who has a basic tv that receives basic cable channels? Do you feel that with the new law calling back all of these tv’s people will do so? Do you think switching all tv’s to digital cable was a good idea?

Bibliography Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. July November 2005.