RadioBanter - Here comes the Digital TV disaster

The auction of the analog spectrum is going to bring a lot of revenue
to the US government. I don't see how that's a bad thing, as long as
that money is used responsibly. Granted, we're talking about our
government here...but at least they're taking in revenue and not
spending it on something, in this case. That's usually considered a
good thing.

And again, those sets aren't going to "suddenly need landfill for
disposal." They'll still be perfectly usable with any of the following:

- a cable box
- a satellite box
- an over the air digital to analog converter

Furthermore, you can still use that TV for other things...say, in a
kid's room to play video games or watch movies. Granted, most people
won't want to hold onto them forever, but they won't be totally useless
pieces of metal and plastic. As far as the environmental concern, I
wouldn't be surprised if companies start asking for sets for recycling,
like we already see widely with cell phones and other consumer
products.

I don't have a link to a story right now, but I've read that the
government is also going to be spending money to get converter boxes
for poor people who can't buy them. So again, there's not going to be
this huge mass of angry TV-less people that pundits have been
insinuating. Also, keep in mind that as more and more companies build
more and more DTV sets, the prices will keep coming down. You can
already get a DTV capable set for well under 1000 dollars US. Within
the next couple years the price of a DTV set will be where analog sets
are right now.

Sincerely,
"Mr. Futuristic Modern Dude"