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Newsletter Archives
Analog
Tuner Clarity
The transition from analog to digital
broadcasting continues to create a good bit of confusion. So ... here
are a few facts that should provide some clarity.
There
is no FCC Mandate to Convert CATV Signals to Digital
The mandate to switch to
digital broadcasting refers solely to off-air broadcast signals
and has nothing whatsoever to do with CATV. Off-air broadcasters must
convert to digital and discontinue all analog broadcasts by February 17,
2009.
So
What About Digital Cable?
CATV companies are
converting their systems to digital because it allows them to offer a
broader array of services, including broadband, video-on-demand and
telephony. This conversion has nothing to do with the FCC.
Can I
Use the CSD-500 With a Digital Cable Signal?
Not directly. The CSD-500
is an analog tuner and is incapable of decoding a digital signal.
However nearly all CSD-500 customers (mostly K-12 schools) convert
digital CATV signals to analog using the cable box, and then feed the
signals into analog modulators, placing the signal onto their RF
channels of choice. The signal is then decoded to composite video in
each classroom by the CSD-500.
I
Thought The FCC Banned Analog-Only Tuners on March 1, 2007. Is The
CSD-500 Legal?
The FCC restriction
applies only to tuners capable of receiving off-air broadcasts and/or
tuners built directly into televisions, VCR's, DVD Players and other
consumer products. Because the CSD-500 is incapable of receiving off-air
broadcasts, IT IS NOT CONSIDERED BROADCAST EQUIPMENT BY THE FCC AND IS
NOT SUBJECT TO FCC ANALOG TUNER RESTRICTIONS. As required, the CSD-500
has gone through FCC emissions testing and has passed with flying
colors.
Hopefully this
information helps to clear up confusion around analog tuners. Analog
broadcasts are on the way out, but analog tuners are going to be useful
for years to come. With Serial and IR control, an on-board FM radio
tuner, channel auto scan and now an optional hand held IR remote
control, the CSD-500 is more useful than most.
Article
courtesy of
Calypso Control Systems.
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