The Controversy Surrounding the Digital Switchover Continues

There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the digital switchover that will be taking place this February. For many, the forced switch is undesirable because they are unhappy about having to purchase a new television of purchasing a tuner to help them still receive television broadcasts. One of the most interesting arguments I have heard, however, has been the one that the switchover is basically a way for the government to force products into becoming obsolete.

Planned obsolescence is a phenomena that has been discussed within the electronics industry for quite some time. You don’t have to be on top of the electronics game to know that it seems as if some electronics are outdated before you even get them installed in your home. This is partially because technology is changing so rapidly, but many suspect that electronics companies are hoping that consumers will continue to throw away their old products and replace them with new ones every time a new development in technology is made. For those that always have to have the latest gadgets, this is precisely what is happening.

With the government switchover, however, some feel as if the government is now forcing products to become obsolete. After all, as of February 17, 2009, all analog television broadcasting signals are to be shut down and replaced entirely by digital signals. Although both signals have been being broadcast for years now, the government has decided to go in only one direction.

Of course, it is not just the United States that is making the switch. In fact, countries around the world are deciding to go completely digital and several are also in the process of switching over. Still, many politicians from both major parties have expressed concern about the forced switch over. In addition, in many ways, it appears as if the only true winners in the switch are those that make their living from the electronics industry. The biggest loser, on the other hand, is the environment since it will be sacked by millions of televisions from those making the switch to digital. According to current estimates, the number of analog televisions tossed out because of the switch will range anywhere from 80 to 200 million over the next couple of years.

Whether you are on board with the switchover or not, it is disconcerting that the government has not developed some sort of recycling program for all of the televisions that will be tossed. According to industry experts, many of the components within those televisions could be reused if a recycling program were to be set up.