The DTV transition is almost completed, being about as far from a fait accompli as possible. The FCC has been discussing digital television and digital transmission for quite some time. And at this point (June 2009) it seems that broadcasters are finally ready to comply – having been pushed to change.
As far as timing is concerned, the FCC requires that in the top ten markets — which represents 30 percent of TV households — affiliates of the top four networks must be on the air with a digital signal by May 1, 1999. In markets 11 through 30 — representing 53 percent of the country — by November 1, 1999. Additionally a number of TV stations in the top ten markets have committed to building their digital facilities by November 1, 1998 (in time for the holiday 1998 shopping season).
Source: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/dtv/
Looks like the DTV transition didn’t go exactly as planned. And yet, as long as it took, there are still those who are going to be surprised or unprepared when the switch happens. “Fascinating”, as Spock might say.
It wasn’t really hard to see that a change was needed. Analog signals used in broadcasting have been around since the 1920’s and have served their purpose, having been once cutting edge and effective in their news and entertainment message.
So when digital transmission technology came along, with its promise of carrying even more information and freeing up analog broadcast spectrum to be auctioned off by the FCC, it was clearly time for a change.
What used to be good enough is suddenly old and busted. Time to move forward with a new process.
Now you’re probably wondering what a mortgage software blog is doing writing about DTV. Fair question. The answer is simply that the DTV transition illustrates a point: that change, as difficult as it may sometimes be, is necessary when a better way comes along to do the same job. The process you’ve used for years to manage your customers or leads may not be keeping you competitive in today’s challenging business environment.
Let’s use an example. In what format are the leads that your leads provider delivers? A spreadsheet? Analog. Old and busted.
What type of information is conveyed by each row in the spreadsheet? Only what was there originally plus any column that you’ve added. Just like the old analog signal carrying limited information.
Contrast that with our Leads Manager which will take that spreadsheet and endow it with more information per row. Now you can keep track of calls made, notes taken, and the type of contact you’ve had with each prospective client. Just like the digital signal – more information contained in the same channel.
Your old analog television will require a converter box to work with the new digital system. Think of our Leads Manager as a converter box in reverse. You can take the old analog signal (spreadsheet) and convert it into a new, easier to use format with more information.
Switching your telemarketing process from spreadsheets to our Leads Manager will take minutes. Compare that to other changes in process. Like DTV.
