LG has unveiled a line of Mobile Digital TV devices that are sure to be a hit this holiday season. Unlike traditional Mobile TV these devices allow TV broadcasts to be viewed even while moving. Both free over the air broadcasts and subscription based cable programming (such as MSNBC, Nickelodeon, Food Network, E!, and more) more »

Since June 2008, the Motion Picture Association of America (“MPAA”) has moved forward with a petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the right to use selectable output control (SOC). This practice involves disabling the analog or digital portions of a video stream to the consumer. The MPAA claims using SOC would allow them more »

This Friday, broadcasters will stop sending out analog signals and make the DTV transition. However, even with an extended digital TV deadline imposed, an estimated 3 million homes are not prepared to make the transition. This represents roughly 2.5 percent of the television market. Nielsen released the report this Wednesday and it showed that elderly more »

Welcome back to your favorite soap opera, “As the Digital Transition Turns.” So what’s in this latest installment? No, not another delay. This time, it’s all about notice. Analog and digital signals may not reach the same area. If that is the case, then television stations must tell their viewers about this problem. Here’s how more »

Although congress has delayed the mandatory February 17 deadline of switching to digital TV, many analog television owners may be in for a rude awakening when they try to watch their shows on that day and find a snowy picture. Approximately 500 television stations have announced that they plan to make the switch to digital more »

Here we go again, indeed. The DTV transition was originally scheduled for February 17, but Democrat Senators wanted to pass a bill that would postpone it for 4 months because they thought 6.5 million people were not ready yet.

I can imagine that, if Americans are anything like me, they would probably wait until Valentine’s day and give a loved one a converter box if they needed one. Then, a few days ago the House Republicans blocked the bill, because they did not get the necessary 2/3 to pass it, even though the majority was for it, so it’s back to the drawing board. Last night, the Senate unanimously passed the same bill, hoping this time it will get through the House.

The digital television transition is coming this February. While I’m sure that every Gadgetell reader is ready for the change, San Diego is testing its residents tomorrow. At 6:58 PM on January 22, 2009, all the major broadcast networks (including the local CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox affiliates) will drop their analog signal at the same time.

The transition to digital television is still set to take place on February 18th, 2008 with the last analog broadcasts airing on February 17. At that time, televisions without digital tuners will not be able to receive television over the air.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) does not want the transition to be subjected to a delay by the Obama-Biden administration. The Obama-Biden presidential transition team co-chair asked for a delay so the poor and elderly can handle the switch.

Gary Shapiro, CEO and president of CEA, offered five answers to possible problems…

After a bit of a delay, Dish Network has confirmed that they will be releasing the DTVPal DVR mid-December. However, you can pre-order it starting next week. Originally introduced as the EchoStar TR-50 when it was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show the beginning of the year, the slightly modified HD personal video recorder now has a spiffy new name to match its new look. Continued after the break.

Despite uneasy feelings on Wall Stre5et, electronic gadgets are predicted to gain in sales by 3.5 percent over last year’s Q4. While overall spending is set to decline on holiday shopping, gadgets are somewhat immune. According the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association), specific gadgets will still do extremely well this holiday season.

Smartphones

Any product that increases connectivity with friends and loved ones will be spent on more heavily according to the CEA report. Consumers will forgo other luxury spending to get smartphones that can handle e-mail, texting, phoning and even Internet browsing. Consumers can justify the expense easier as the phone becomes integral to daily life.

See what other electronics can withstand this economy after the break.