digital cliff
n.— «Whitsett goes on to explain the unique challenges that affect many rural residents. “According to the FCC, the strength of a digital signal depends on terrain, distance from the transmitters and the reception strength of a person’s antenna,” he said. “Rather than gradually fade as it weakens like an analog signal will do, a digital signal will abruptly disappear in what is called the “digital cliff” effect. While someone who lives within roughly 50 miles of a broadcast signal with few obstructions can usually receive a digital image using either a digital TV or an analog TV and converter box, someone who lives outside that radius may discover they can’t get it at all.» —“Consumers Face Numerous Choices as Digital Television Transition Nears” Earth Times Sept. 25, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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