FCC official predicts "messy" digital TV switch, probably a three sheeter

Don't let the smooth transition experienced in Wilmington and other tests fool you, FCC member Robert McDowell just returned from a tour in Afghanistan Alaska, Montana & Oklahoma, and he's seen things, terrible things. Things that have convinced him that the transition on February 17, 2009 "will be messy ... but we will get through it" when over the air broadcasts go all-digital. Hopefully there's enough time (and money left in the budget) to take care of any problems -- the Government Accountability Office recently found that regulators are unprepared for the demand of consumers in need of help switching.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 23rd 2008 4:53PM]

It will be 'messy'! Especially considering the millions of voucher recipients who are just now discovering that their vouchers have already expired when they try to buy a conversion box. The threee month expiration limit is much too short for this program.