So what happens in 2009 when we switch to digital TV?

Post by **Scooter** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:55 pm

Metalcrack wrote:I'm sure there will be a DAC (digital to analog converter) available for us people hanging on to our old SDTV for retro gaming goodness.

Well sure, but my question is completely the other way around. In the not too distant future, how will we get our old analog signals into a TV that no longer receives anything but digital? What we'll need is an analog to digital converter, will something like THAT ever be made? The market for it will likely be pretty small.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:15 pm

Isn't if funny how technology is supposed to make everything easier, and all it ever really does is make things more complicated. For example, modern video games with their bad camera angles, constant load times and sluggish gameplay. There were no damn load times in the old days. Not to mention how cheap and crappy optical media is. It's so much easier to damage than cartridges were.

Remember when all you had to worry about when shopping for a tv was the size and name brand? Now you have to research resolutions, aspect ratios, progressive scan, black levels, viewing angles, etc, etc. You also have to research all the different kinds of tvs. Do you want an LCD or Plasma or DLP or projection or whatever? Buying a tv is a fucking project now.

I'm still waiting for the day that technology actually does make life easier.

Post by **Funk, E** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:19 pm

Ahh, Good Old Days syndrome.

Post by **Scooter** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:24 pm

Gamerforlife wrote:Isn't if funny how technology is supposed to make everything easier, and all it ever really does is make things more complicated. For example, modern video games with their bad camera angles, constant load times and sluggish gameplay. There were no damn load times in the old days. Not to mention how cheap and crappy optical media is. It's so much easier to damage than cartridges were.

Remember when all you had to worry about when shopping for a tv was the size and name brand? Now you have to research resolutions, aspect ratios, progressive scan, black levels, viewing angles, etc, etc. You also have to research all the different kinds of tvs. Do you want an LCD or Plasma or DLP or projection or whatever? Buying a tv is a fucking project now.

I'm still waiting for the day that technology actually does make life easier.

LOL! So true it hurts.

I feel the same way about modern cars. They are safer, faster, cleaner, built better and for the most part very reliable but old cars still have a great deal of appeal for their wonderful simplicity. Old cars are a MACHINE, not a blended machine/electronic device and (on most occassions) I can fully understand how they work and why they aren't working when they malfunction. My daily driver is a pleasant, safe, and efficient car to drive that is probably even quicker by a tick than my old restored musclecar, but I'll tell you, that old musclecar puts a SEing grin on my face a whole lot quicker than my daily driver ever could.

BTW, if anyone want to see my old cars, you can start at this website and link to the other sites for my other projects from there: www.geocities.com/motorcity/flats/8627/

Post by **RadarScope1** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:38 pm

Gamerforlife wrote:Isn't if funny how technology is supposed to make everything easier, and all it ever really does is make things more complicated. For example, modern video games with their bad camera angles, constant load times and sluggish gameplay. There were no damn load times in the old days. Not to mention how cheap and crappy optical media is. It's so much easier to damage than cartridges were.

Remember when all you had to worry about when shopping for a tv was the size and name brand? Now you have to research resolutions, aspect ratios, progressive scan, black levels, viewing angles, etc, etc. You also have to research all the different kinds of tvs. Do you want an LCD or Plasma or DLP or projection or whatever? Buying a tv is a fucking project now.

I'm still waiting for the day that technology actually does make life easier.

Gaming consoles are the same way now. It sucks.

What will happen next February? There will be blood on the streets when people realize what's going on. Old people who use rabbit ears will rise up in wrinkled fury when they can no longer what their "stories." Poor people who can't afford cable will take to the streets when they can't watch Jerry Springer anymore. Folks who live in rural America will be pissed beyond belief when they can no long watch Simon, Paula and Randy. You think this country is divided over abortion and Iraq? Wait until people can't watch Lost or the NFL. THEN you'll see some pissed off Americans. I predict it will be a huge boondogle.

Post by **Funk, E** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:52 pm

You..don't need cable. You need a cheapo little converter box, and there you go, your old TV will work the same way.

Post by **RadarScope1** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:03 pm

I know you don't need cable, but old people don't understand all of this stuff. When they hear they'll have to buy some new fangled, dang ol' contraption to watch Judge Judy, they are going to be pissed. I'm telling you guys, there's going to be a lot of pissed off people one year from now.

Post by **Mozgus** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:18 pm

RadarScope1 wrote:I know you don't need cable, but old people don't understand all of this stuff. When they hear they'll have to buy some new fangled, dang ol' contraption to watch Judge Judy, they are going to be pissed. I'm telling you guys, there's going to be a lot of pissed off people one year from now.

And that's why it keeps getting delayed. I think we all know old people who cant be bothered with it. These are the same kinds of people that you give a DVD player to on X-Mas and it never gets used.

Post by **Scooter** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:12 pm

The old folks also probably won't be much placated by the government's $40.00 converter box coupon program: https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Gotta love our tax dollars at work.....

Post by **mason** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:47 am

acually it's already possible to buy converters for 40 bucks, 50s top. so no biggie right?
the bullshit is that the gov't has spent billions!! of dollars on tv!!! on TV why? that money could have been spent on us or college or hooter girls, or something important. anything but fucking tv, sure make a law for it, but don't spend a shit load of money buying out the poor people and forcing the rest to change to it.