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Take a look at what's new . . .
Release Date: 12/08/2008
20" LCDs are out, 22" HD LCD TVs are in
As of November 2008, most healthcare 20" LCD TVs have been replaced by with 22" Hi-Definition LCD screen. All mounting hardware will be the same as the 20". The exception is HCI which still offers a 20" HD LCD TV.
Release Date: 02/13/2008
Double Manufacturers Warranty Available in 2008
HealthcareLCDTVs.com is pleased to announce that double manufacturer warranties will be available for all healthcare television orders placed in 2008.
Congratulations to all our customers that have taken advantage of this program.
Release Date: 01/15/2008
GSA Contract Awarded
We are pleased to announce that our partner, HealthCare Media Technologies, Inc. has been awarded a GSA Contract, Contract No. GS-03F-0002U. This contract can be used for almost all of the TVs and accessories on the web site.
Release Date: 11/13/2007
FCC Digital Broadcast Mandate
The “White Paper” below refers to the FCC mandated “digital transition” and how it will affect hotels. I thought this might be helpful in understanding the broadcast changes and how they may affect other commercial institutions including hospitals. Usually, the hotel commercial TV market is a precursor to the changes in the hospital TV market. (courtesy of LG Electronics)
The final phase of the transition of the over-the-air television broadcast system from analog to digital is rapidly approaching. On the surface, this government mandate to eliminate analog television broadcasting sounds like a scary proposition that could require massive changes. However, when you review the requirements on a case-by-case basis you find that while it will certainly be a catalyst for change, it is not a doomsday scenario.
The U.S. Congress, as part of the plan to recover analog spectrum for new wireless services and public-safety/homeland security applications, enacted the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. Signed into law by President Bush in early 2006, the Act sets a firm date for full-power television stations to cease broadcasting analog signals: February 17, 2009. The law also requires all future over-the- air digital television transmissions to be conducted in the channel 2 through 35 or 37 through 51 ranges. This action was taken to free up spectrum for first responders like firemen and police, allow auctioning of unused spectrum to reduce the help offset the federal budget deficit and create room for new wireless services.
While the DTV transition may sound ominous, in reality nearly all hotels receive their content in a way that will not be immediately impacted by this change. The phase-out of analog signals applies only to over the air television. Most hotels are served by cable or satellite signals, which are not directly affected. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission has mandated that cable companies must carry analog signals as they do now or provide access to digital converter boxes to help ensure no customer loses service.
Reviewing the three ways signals are delivered can help determine if you need to change your equipment for the digital TV transition
Broadcast TV - If TVs in areas of your hotel only receive over-the-air signals (using a roof-top or attic antenna or even rabbit-ears) you will need to add digital tuning capabilities to receive these signals after February 17, 2009. The digital tuner can be added as a “converter box” or you may wish to purchase new televisions with an integrated digital tuner. Converter boxes will be available with standard definition or high definition outputs, and it is important to match your television’s capability to display content with the correct converter box. If your television is older and only displays standard-definition content, purchasing a new high-definition-capable converter box will be a waste of money as your television can not utilize these signals.
On the other hand, replacing these old analog TVs with new digital HDTVs developed specifically for the lodging industry will allow your guests to enjoy high-definition programming -- the majority of primetime shows, sporting events and specials all broadcast locally over-the-air to antennas. Finally, it is important to note that, in accordance with FCC regulations, all TVs sold to the lodging industry since March 1, 2007 (and all sets 25-inches and larger since July 1, 2006) are already digital TV receivers. That means they have the digital tuners to receive over-the-air digital TV broadcasts.
Cable - If your hotel receives free-to-guest or premium channels from the local cable company, these channels will typically be transmitted in analog. It will be business as usual and you will not be affected. As cable operators move to all-digital systems, they will notify you of their plans, including availability of digital converter boxes per the FCC regulations. If you are serviced by a Pay Per View (PPV) provider that contracts with the local cable company for free-to-guest or premium services, they may need to make adjustments to head-end equipment when and if the cable company transitions to an all-digital system.
Satellite - If your hotel receives signals from a satellite provider like DIRECTV, you will not be affected. The satellite signals are already transmitted in a digital format. Typically you would have a set top box for use in the common areas, and this will not change. If you are serviced by a PPV provider that receives the free-to-guest or premium services such as HBO from satellite, the PPV provider already will have designed the head- end equipment to match your in-room televisions, and no change will be required.
In most cases, the switch from over the air analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting will not result in massive changes for hotel operators. The main area of concern is the in-room or public-area TV connected to an over-the-air antenna. This could be the television set in a bar or restaurant or the one in the beach-side cabana. Another area to watch for is hotels that receive TV signals from the local cable company. If they are planning to make the switch to an all digital cable system you may need to upgrade your TV sets, or attach a set top box. This type of conversion is not likely to happen quickly because of expense, but it may be worth a quick call to your cable or PPV provider to understand their plans.
Release Date: 10/02/2007
Double Manufacturers Warranty Program
HealthcareLCDTVs.com is pleased to announce that the popular double manufacturers warranty program has been extended to include all healthcare television orders placed by June 30, 2008 and delivered in 2008.
Congratulations to all our customers that have taken advantage of this guaranteed reliability program.
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