Must RANT: The Digital Transition?

     So, the switch has happened: although analog television still exists for various purposes, no longer can one get away with just an aerial antenna off their private home anymore.

      From all of the years that the government has tried to prepare us for this switch, we've all heard the hype that switching to digital would provide better quality television (both in picture and sound), reception of more "free" channels that has "niche" markets, and even help save lives by clearing the airwaves for first-responder communications.  But is the hype really warranted? I don't believe the hype matches the reality, and here's why:

     First, the promise of better picture quality and sound:  I prepared for the switch over, somewhat: a digital-ready television set sits in my living room---and I also purchased not ONE, but TWO inside digital antennas with amplification.  And though I have both antennas attached to a digital ready television---the problem I'm having is that the channels aren't coming in strong most times to even get a damn picture, little lone a better quality picture! And ditto for the better sound----usually if you can't keep a picture on the screen, the sound isn't there, either.  It's somewhat annoying to know that even though one's prepared for this kind of thing....it's still NOT SHOWING ANY MORE PROMISE THAN ANALOG.

     Second, let's explore the idea of channels: before the switch on June 12th, 2009---I was able to enjoy ABC, CBS, The CW, at times FOX, and a Religious channel to boot.  And that suited me just terrific:  ABC has Desperate Housewives (a favorite show!), CBS had David Letterman (terrific entertainment for late night), The CW had Smallville & Supernatural (ditto favorite shows), and FOX had FAMILY GUY and The Simpsons (for the kid in everyone!). I was pretty pleased with the channels and reception that I had on analog, so much that I've been able to deal without CABLE and the expensive price of it (ditto with directTV and DISH network!) for a little over a year.  Ahhhhh, but, it just wasn't meant to be! 

     After June 12, 2009, the channels choices have gotten a bit smaller, depending on the day and what type of weather that's going on.  I now have ABC for sure (YEA! I get to keep DH), NBC when it wants to appear (since one should regularly scan their digital tuner at least once per week)--so maybe I will be able to watch Dateline once-in-awhile, CBS never (NO DAVID LETTERMAN? my late night is kind of worrisome), The CW never (two of my favorites __GONE!), sometimes I have FOX, sometimes I have religious channels.   But, the government hype promised more free channels---and, stupid me, I wrongfully believed it!  I had more channels before the switch then after, no matter how I try to TWEAK my reception. 

     Oh, I still try to get channels--I do a channel scan at least once a week to see if it's getting any better as time goes on.  Yet, even though it's gotten a little better since the inception---I want to know why it's not fulfilling at least the promise of more channels yet.  After all, as a consumer, I DID LISTEN to the explainations about it, I did invest somewhat in the technology (as everyone has had to---converter boxes and digital ready television are now the norm), and it's really rediculous that I still have less channels than before the switch!

     Did someone fall asleep on this technology??? Because I'm definitely not a happy camper.  The digital television, the converter boxes, and the amplified digital antennas all have cost consumer's quite a bit over the last few years.  Then we're greeted with reality----television stations that have disappeared, maybe one local station you might get for real,  and the rest---I'll call them visitor stations: sometimes, I have them---but, most times, I don't.

     All the hype for nothing---and consumers need to be very outraged at this!  We are in the worst recession since the GREAT DEPRESSION, we've been forced to eat this "NEW DIGITAL AGE" hype with all of the COSTS, and there aren't enough JOBS (to produce INCOME to pay an EXTREME BILL such as CABLE) to help produce the income it takes to pay for CABLE because the DIGITAL TRANSITION so far hasn't fulfilled the promises.   As a consumer and a citizen, I am TOTALLY OUTRAGED at this!

     I know that I'm sounding a bit emotional about the issue, hence, the title: I'm RANTING.  I'm OUTRAGED.  And every citizen should be OUTRAGED.  Because the switch was forced upon a population that was already suffering; the transition hasn't been the best;and I'm sure I'm not the only citizen who has lost television channels. 

    It's outrageous that the average joe has spent excess money for digital regulations imposed upon us that have yet to prove itself.