Will your television still work this time next year?
March 20th, 2008Lee Tags: Digital TVDTV
That all depends, as the date for all network broadcasting stations to move from analog to digital-only broadcasts nears. What does that mean for you, the consumer? If your television is not equipped to handle a digital signal, your television will not work as of February 17, 2009.
Although government and retail companies have made huge efforts to reach out to consumers to inform them of this change, the majority of households in the US are either unaware of the change, or confused as to how it affects them. A study done in 2007 and earlier this year also show the majority of sales people at consumer electronics retail stores don’t really understand either!
So what do you need to know? First, you must figure out how to tell whether or not your television is set up to receive either an analog or digital signal. If you have a bought a new television over the last few years, especially an HDTV model, then you most likely have a digital tuner. A simple way to see is to check the television for a marking such as integrated HDTV tuner or an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. If your TV was purchased prior to 1998 and has a set-top antenna, it most likely will contain an analog tuner.
The good news is that even if your television is not digital, but you subscribe to cable or satellite service, your television won’t be affected. You are already receiving digital broadcasts through the cable or satellite box, so you will not have to make any changes.
For anyone else, there are two options: You can either purchase a new digital television (most expensive option, but you will get to enjoy the benefits of digital TV) or purchase a converter box that will act as a digital tuner for your current TV. The converter box is the most economical way to ensure your TV will still work, and people who chose this option can apply for a government-issued coupon for $40 (up to 2 per household) to use when purchasing the box, which is available at many retailers now.
For more information on the switch and to download a coupon application, please visit http://www.dtv.gov.
