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| Yes | 33% | 208 votes | Total: 640 votes | |
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Add to FavoritesThis is a 'yes' and 'no' question. As we move ever forward into the 21st Century, here in England at least, by 2012, the whole of the United Kingdom, will by then have become 'Digital'. Whether people like it or not, that is the direction we are heading in because Digital is, and will be, the future. With the phasing off of the old communication systems {FM Radio Waves and Analogue TVs} the only choice people will have will be either to purchase the latest technology {which is quite cheap now, the cheapest Digital Box here in the UK is around 15.00 pounds} or be left behind.
In most cases these boxes are given away free - especially to pensioners and low income, or unemployed families - so there will be no excuse for anyone to be left behind in the Digital Age. The reason they are given away is simple, here, in the United Kingdom, the country
wants to prepare people for the big changeover. In some parts of the country this is already happening now, with FM Radio signals and Analogue TVs being switched off, in preparation for 2012} a whole new advertising campaign has has been taking place within the country, as the message to people to go Digital continues to be spread.
As I have said, people are not - and will not - be left behind, but are given, in most cases, Digital boxes which they simply plug into the back of their analogue TV, thereby their TV now becomes Digitial, it is as simple as that. People cannot continue to watch TV shows on
the old Analogue Systems because it will eventually become impossible to do so. So, one might as well say that people are left with no choice at all about whether they want to go 'Digital' or not.
I do believe that Digital Radio and TV, are a thousand times better than the old Analogue Systems. There are more choices of channels {on both radio and TV}, and with Digital, you are connected to the world, you become 'interactive' by just pressing the 'red button' on your remote control.
The positives of Digital TV and Radio are there for all to see. They produce a far better reception, there is no more 'white noise' that one used to get on the old Analogue Systems when changing channels. No more will you try in frustration to get that radio channel you where listening too the night before, but cannot get now, because you cannot get a good enough reception. Digital has cut all that out now, changing channels on the radio and going straight to the station you are looking for, is to my mind, a Godsend
The crystal clear clarity of the reception is so much better - in fact far superior. And, it has to be noted that those people who where initially against Digital TV and Radio, having now experienced them, they now find themselves enjoying the new crystal clear receptions and new channels they receive.
I like the way Digital TV and Radio has opened the world to the common man and woman. We are now more connected with the world - technologically-spea king, than at any other time in our history. I do believe that Digital Communications has helped enormously in this. The title of this piece is: 'Should we be forced to have only digital TV?' Well, people in this instance, have been forced because when all of the Analogue Systems are eventually switched off people will have no other choice but to go 'Digital'.
I believe though that there is no reason to fear Digital. People, at first, - especially the elderly - always fear what they do not understand. But using this technology could not be simpler. I could not go back to listening to Analogue now, and a lot more people are saying the same thing as well. I enjoy the reception and the choice of many channels - both on TV and Radio - that I can choose from, and that Digital affords me.
Yes, people will hark for the past, for the time when families would sit round the radio listening to their old Analogue shows. Or when people would sit around the TV after tea, to watch their favourite shows {although It has to be said that here in England, many years ago, we only had THREE TV channels to choose from}.
So, now, for those people who can remember those dark and distant days of three channels only, we never thought for one moment when the TV, or Radio would be able to connect us so fully to the outside world in a way that has never been done before. Or give us a choice of channels that we have never known before.
So, my answer to the title of this piece is both yes, and no. People should be forced to go Digital, as the benefits far outweigh the negatives. But I have to admit that I am somewhat uncomfortable too in the way that people seemed to have been 'steamrollered' into accepting the new technology. Overall though, Digital TV and Radio are here to stay, so people either have to accept the new technology, or go without.
Learn more about this author, Wayne Leon Learmond.
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No
While many people are sick of hearing about the switch to digital television, they may not recognize this issue for what it is: an example of others deciding what is "best" for people without their consent. This issue exemplifies the progressive dipping into folk's lives by the government, micro-managing and invading. These laws are always passed "for our own good" of course. As an adult who wants to retain the right to make decisions for myself, even if they don't meet the standards of some law-maker out there, I say no one should force us to move to a digital only world without our consent. In other words, I want my vote counted!
My first thought on hearing about the law forcing stations to become all digital was "someone is going to make money because of this, a lot of money." Someone, somewhere has a huge stake in the digitalizing of our television media. Whoever it was caught us off guard because the law was passed with little to no fanfare; the majority of people didn't even know about it.
"You'll get a better picture," they chant. When the weather doesn't interfere, this is a true statement. However, digital is not perfect and you wind up having your station pixilate or even disappear for seconds or minutes at a time. At least on analog, I get to watch (and hear) the entire show.
A "better picture" does not make up for issues with volume. In order to hear with a converter box, you must turn the volume up all the way. Even then, there is no guarantee you will hear all of the programs. Of course, commercials always come in loud and clear: surprise, surprise.
First a person who wants to continue watching television must buy a converter box that costs a minimum of ten dollars with a coupon. Many may claim ten dollars isn't much, but if a person or family lives frugally on a fixed income, ten dollars can spell the difference between watching television and eating. Then the prospective television watcher must bear the expense of a better antenna if they really want to get all those extra channels promised. These folks, strapped for cash at the best of times, may not have the option of purchasing cable or DTV they do not even want.
This move to exclusive digital television may appear as a non-issue to some, but I can guarantee you a converter box marks only the beginning of the hidden and not so hidden costs this move will engender. This law forces folks to make a difficult, impossible for some, choice in regard to their television viewing. The choices are: stop watching television, comply and pay all the added costs, hook up through cable or DTV or buy a new HDTV. Viewers must jump through the hoops while someone gets a whole new influx of cash from the "cattle" herded through the chute of forced digital television.
I own an analog television with rabbit ears. I only get a few stations, but I'm happy with that. Ask yourselves these questions: Who stands to gain by this move? Should Congress have the right to force me to go digital without my consent? Should Congress have the right to force all television stations to become digital? And finally, where will it end? Congress, in passing this law, protected big business at the expense of those who keep television solvent: the viewer.
Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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