House Republicans propose warning labels for analog TVs
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jan 24th 2007 9:45PM
posted Jan 24th 2007 9:45PM
If a group of House Republicans have their way, television manufacturers still trying to convince consumers of the questionable benefits of analog TV may soon have a harder time making their case, as they'll be required to slap a big 'ol label on that old-school tube warning potential buyers of its considerable shortcomings. According to TV Week, the bill proposed by Republican members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce would mandate that all analog-only TVs carry the message that "this TV has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after Feb. 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts." Not exactly "this TV can kill you," but hardly a selling point either. The bill would also require cable and satellite service providers to deliver regular reports detailing their consumer educations efforts, as well as require that the FCC create its own consumer outreach effort and provide details on the number of customers that have redeemed coupons for cable boxes. While the prospects of the bill passing aren't clear, it has picked up at least one big supporter, with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) quickly hopping on board to endorse it.[Via Lost Remote]
If it ever does come to stations actually switching off analog ..(I'll believe it when I see it)...converter boxes will be everywhere for $9.99 or less in no time. No governmental assistance (interference) needed.
How is this new? I just bought a TV for my sister and it had a large sticker saying exactly that slapped over one of the openings for the box. In fact, every analog TV I have seen lately has this notice slapped on the packaging.
Even if the word has been spreading without it, I applaud the bill. People need to be educated on this digital stuff.
Republicans finally get SOMETHING right.
So they are mandating a "No TV left behind policy".
I like the WARNING: This TV Sucks idea better, lol
I don't see why this is such a big issue. I don't know a single person using over the air broadcasts for non HD shows. Doesn't almost eveyrone have cable or satellite now?
My parents live in a rural area. They get all their local station OTA analog. They do have DirecTV, but no locals on sat.
They will need convertor boxes or a new TV with an ATSC tuner when the day comes.
Our new Toshiba LCD HDTV came with a warning label already affixed to the display. It warned that after February 2009 we will need a Digital to Analogue tuner to watch over the air broadcasts. I can find the sticker and post the exact words if someone wants me to.