Watching Emergency TV During 2009 Hurricane Season
And so we enter another
South Florida hurricane season come the 1st of June…
We all know the drill. We’ve done it countless times
before. Prepare the shutters, check the generators,
get fuel and make sure you have plenty of fresh
batteries for the flashlights and your emergency
portable TV. But this year, fresh batteries for the
TV likely won’t be enough. Most of us will need a
fresh TV too.
On June 12, 2009, the FCC and U.S. Government
requirement to have all broadcast television stations
permanently shut down their analog signals goes into
effect. This means most TV sets that are not using
cable or satellite boxes will simply stop working.
More importantly, nearly all of the portable TV sets
people have packed away for emergency use become
instantly defunct. So, if you are used to huddling
around your battery-powered emergency TV to watch
news reporters flap in the breeze as they tell you
about the latest hurricane damage, you’ll need to buy
a new set that has a digital tuner (ATSC). Otherwise,
it’ll just be you and the radio.
And for those who do have satellite or cable plugged
into an analog TV; don’t forget that should (or more
likely, when) the cable or satellite feed goes out,
you are in the same boat. Nothing but snow to keep
you company as the winds howl outside.
The reason for the analog shut down is clear... or
more accurately high-def. It is the ATSC digital
signal which is capable of producing beautiful,
high-resolution HDTV images on our ever-expansive
flat-screen TVs. It's the future of all TV. Over the
past two years, all broadcast TV stations have been
dual broadcasting their programming in both analog
(NTSC) and digital (ATSC) formats to accommodate
viewers during the transition. The June 12, 2009
analog shutoff is the next logical step in the move
to HDTV. While there are many benefits to the digital
signal, the lack of backwards compatibility is a huge
drawback, especially for Floridians during
hurricanes.
For the uninformed, our next weather event could be a
rude awakening. That's why, as a technology
consultant, I felt it important to write this
article. It is important to know that this potential
”communication emergency” is real. Thankfully, the
solution is simple. Buying a new emergency ATSC
portable television is not an expensive proposition.
At around $100, it's pretty much a no-brainer. I have
seen and recommend buying either the Haier 7"
Portable TV (Model HLT71) or the Coby 8" Portable TV
(Model TF-TV891). Both are sold through Amazon.com
(use this link http://tinyurl.com/hurricaneTVs)
and if you order now, will arrive in plenty of time
for the hurricane season.
In addition to the new portable TV, you may also want
to consider an external HDTV antenna. Based on my
research in the areas of Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay,
digital broadcast reception is marginal with the use
of a basic indoor antenna and may require something
beyond the included telescoping antenna. Either a
roof antenna or a passive indoor antenna such as the
Terk HDTVi are good choices. Even though amplified
antennae typically yield better reception, I suggest
you don't buy one for your hurricane supplies. If the
power is out, you are out of luck.