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Digital Television is Still Set for Next Month

Lately, there has been talk about postponing the DTV transition date. The House is expected to weigh both sides on the subject and make a vital decision soon. Nevertheless, DTV is coming. If you haven't made the necessary changes to your home entertainment center you still will need to do so.

If you have an analog TV set and what happens when analog transmissions end?

February 17, 2009 is still the day analog TV is scheduled to end. That is the day the FCC has mandated that all broadcast TV stations stop sending out over the air analog signals. So what does this mean to you if you have had the same old analog set for the last 10 years? Or perhaps you have a second or third analog TV set in other parts of the home. You first might be asking yourself - what is an analog TV set? And, do I have one? If you still get TV programming from rabbit ears you have an analog set. If you use cable or satellite and have what is known as 4:3 TV (the square TV shape) you most likely have an analog TV set. One way to tell if your TV set is analog, is to look and see if the TV has a hook-up for an outside antenna.

If you have an analog TV set what will you need to do?

Don't panic! You can keep your present set running with a digital set-top converter box*. The FCC is offering coupons to all Americans (limit 2 per household) to buy a new digital converter box. Below is the Announcement by the FCC how to claim your big $80 so you can keep your old analog TVs working after February 17, 2009.

Analog TVs WILL NEED additional equipment to receive over-the-air television When the DTV Transition takes place!

Consumers who depend on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes* to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

Your current antenna will work just fine. You may see advertisements promoting HDTV antennas, but don't be fooled. An antenna is just an antenna. In fact, many people have discovered that old style antennas that were popular 40 years ago make the best antenna for digital TV reception.

Most digital stations are broadcasting in the UHF band, (channels 14 through 51), some are in the VHF high band, (channels 7 through 13). There are a very small number of station that will remain in the lower VHF spectrum, (channels 2 through 6). Despite broadcasting on different frequency's, the stations will still appear in their proper numerical order on your tuner.

Converter Box* Coupon Program

Right now and until March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. Currently the government has run out of money for this program, however this is one of the main key issues congress will be addressing soon. This is one of the reasons the DTV transition date may be postponed. More information can be found by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.

So what should you do? Buy a new HDTV or keep your old analog TV set going?

This will all depend on your budget. If you can afford a new Digital TV then by all means "Go For It!", it will be the best entertainment investment you will ever make. However, if your on a tight budget or are just not in the market for a new set, then the converter box* is a very inexpensive way to go.

To purchase a digital converter box visit: http://www.hdtvultimate.com

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Author: Steven Lancey

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