Briefing on a digital-to-analog converter box VIDEO

Commerce Dept. Briefing on Digital Converter Box, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, John Kneuer, Assistant Secretary of Communications and Information, holds a briefing on a digital-to-analog converter box. 3/12/2007: WASHINGTON, DC: 38:58 min. High Resolution Image

Digital Television Transition and Public Safety, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Digital Television Transition

What is Digital Television (DTV) and why are television broadcasters transitioning to DTV?

Digital television (DTV) is revolutionizing the television marketplace, offering improved service quality, greater service innovation, and new capabilities not currently available from the analog broadcast television service. DTV will allow broadcasters to offer viewers better image and sound quality and also more programming choices.

There are other benefits to the nation as well. The DTV service is designed to use radio spectrum more efficiently than the analog service. Therefore, upon completion of the DTV transition, the Federal Government will reclaim and reassign analog broadcast television spectrum to other important uses, including public safety and advanced wireless services.

When will the DTV transition be completed?

Broadcasters are already using digital channels to offer DTV programming in their local markets all over the United States. On February 17, 2009, full power television stations will stop analog broadcasting and return their analog channels so those channels can be put to other uses.

Will consumers need new equipment to watch broadcast television when the transition is complete?

When the DTV transition is complete, broadcast television viewers, those who do not subscribe to cable or satellite, will need either a television set capable of receiving DTV programming, or a digital-to-analog converter box. Cable and satellite subscribers may also need additional equipment to view digital programming. For more information, see fcc.gov/consumerfacts/digitaltv

Converter Box Program

What is a digital-to-analog converter box and how do I get one?

Digital-to-analog converter boxes will make DTV signals viewable on analog TV sets. These converter boxes will be available in retail stores during the transition. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce has been directed by Congress to set up a program that will allow households to obtain coupons that can be applied toward the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.

How do I obtain and redeem converter box coupons?

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, eligible households can request up to two coupons, each valued at $40. All coupons will be sent to requesting households via the United States Postal Service. Recipients must redeem the coupons within 3 months of issuance, but may not combine their two coupons toward the purchase of a single converter box and may not use them for other products.

Can you provide more details about the converter box coupon program?

The specific rules addressing the coupon program will be made public in early 2007. As you can imagine, there are many program implementation details to consider.

In 2006, NTIA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that sought the public's suggestions on various details of the program's operations, including issues related to these questions. NTIA will provide more detailed program information for the digital-to-analog converter box assistance program on our website, ntia.doc.gov

See also:
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Digital Television information for consumers.
• The Consumer Electronics Association digital television webpage.
• The National Association of Broadcaster’s webpage offers information about the broadcaster’s efforts to provide digital broadcasting.

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Communications and Information or digital-to-analog converter box and Department of Commerce or TELEVISION CONVERTER BOX PROGRAM and Coupon Program or John Kneuer

Army Surgeon General Kiley Submits Retirement Request PODCAST VIDEO

Army Surgeon General Kiley Submits Retirement Request, American Forces Press Service, PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2007 – Army Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, the service’s surgeon general who has been under fire for shortcomings in outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, submitted his request to retire from the Army yesterday. Army Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, current deputy surgeon general, immediately assumed the surgeon general's duties, Army officials announced today.

Published reports in February shed light on shortcomings in outpatient care for troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey resigned March 2 over the same matters, and Walter Reed Commander Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman was relieved March 1.

Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren yesterday directed the immediate convening of the required advisory board to recommend a slate of candidates for consideration as the next surgeon general. The board will convene in April.

"We must move quickly to fill this position; this leader will have a key role in moving the way forward in meeting the needs of our wounded warriors," Geren said today. "We have an Army action plan under way under the leadership of the vice chief of staff, Army General (Richard) Cody, and the surgeon general has a critical role in the execution of that plan. I am confident Major General Pollock will ably lead the Army Medical Department during this transition period."

Kiley said yesterday that he submitted his retirement because he felt it was in the best interest of the Army. "I want to allow Acting Secretary Geren, (Chief of Staff) General (Peter) Schoomaker, and the leaders of the Army Medical Command to focus completely on the way ahead and the Army action plan to improve all aspects of soldier care,” he said. “We are an Army Medical Department at war, supporting an Army at war. It shouldn't be and it isn't about one doctor."

Kiley has been Army surgeon general and commander of U.S. Army Medical Command since Sept. 30, 2004. He served nearly 31 years in the Army.

"It has been my honor and my privilege to serve this nation and her soldiers for over 30 years," Kiley said. "I have the greatest respect for former Secretary Harvey, Acting Secretary Geren, and the senior Army leadership under General Schoomaker and General Cody. And I could not be prouder of the incredible Americans in the Army Medical Command who care for the warriors who have volunteered and sacrificed so much to defend our country and our way of life. I was blessed to have walked among them."

Pollock became deputy surgeon general in October 2006 and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She received her master of business administration degree from Boston University; a master's in health care administration from Baylor University, a master's in national security and strategy from the National Defense University, and an honorary doctorate of public service from the University of Maryland.

(From an Army news release.)

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Army Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock or Patient-Care Issues and Walter Reed Army Medical Center or The Defense Department and outpatients or Washington Post and Dr. William Winkenwerder or Army Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley and Robert M. Gates or Francis J. Harvey and Richard A. Cody or Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman and Pete Geren