Spring Break
Home > Pulse
TV looks toward a digital future
Starting in February 2009, television broadcasts will be entirely digital, instead of traditional analog
by Jill Aho | Senior News Editor
People thinking of purchasing a television this holiday season may want to consider whether they will want to watch free, over-the-air programming. On Feb. 17, 2009 all television stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog and will begin broadcasting digitally.
What this means for consumers is that if they purchase or own a television without digital technology, they will need to obtain a digital converter box to continue to receive free local programming. The federal government, beginning next year, will offer a maximum of two $40 vouchers per U.S. household to be used to purchase converter boxes.
People who subscribe to satellite or cable technology will continue to receive the same programming.
Many televisions come with digital technology. RadioShack on West 11th Street currently only sells digital televisions, said Sales Associate Josh Hughes. He said the store has posted signs about the transition and he's found many customers aren't aware of the digital transition.
He advises, "Get something with an HD antenna in it so (consumers) don't have to bother with it later."
High definition television is not the same as digital television. Consumers will not need to purchase a high definition television to continue to watch free programming, and instead simply need a built-in digital receiver or a converter box.
The federal government ordered the transition to free up some of the broadcast spectrum to be used for public safety transmissions in the U.S. Digital television will also offer less interference and enhanced picture quality.
The federal government mandated that all television reception devices imported to the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce contain a digital tuner beginning in March 2007. Retailers may still have pre-existing inventory of analog-only devices, but they must be labeled with a consumer alert.
Consumers with analog technology who receive free, over-the-air programming will need both their antenna (rabbit ears or rooftop antenna) and a converter box.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the government will begin taking requests for the coupon program. To apply for a converter box coupon, call 1-888-388-2009 or visit dtv.gov. The coupons are available on a first come, first serve basis until the program reaches $890 million. Additional funds may be made available after.
Retailers participating in the coupon program will be listed on the dtv.gov Web site.
jaho@dailyemerald.com
What this means for consumers is that if they purchase or own a television without digital technology, they will need to obtain a digital converter box to continue to receive free local programming. The federal government, beginning next year, will offer a maximum of two $40 vouchers per U.S. household to be used to purchase converter boxes.
People who subscribe to satellite or cable technology will continue to receive the same programming.
Many televisions come with digital technology. RadioShack on West 11th Street currently only sells digital televisions, said Sales Associate Josh Hughes. He said the store has posted signs about the transition and he's found many customers aren't aware of the digital transition.
He advises, "Get something with an HD antenna in it so (consumers) don't have to bother with it later."
High definition television is not the same as digital television. Consumers will not need to purchase a high definition television to continue to watch free programming, and instead simply need a built-in digital receiver or a converter box.
The federal government ordered the transition to free up some of the broadcast spectrum to be used for public safety transmissions in the U.S. Digital television will also offer less interference and enhanced picture quality.
The federal government mandated that all television reception devices imported to the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce contain a digital tuner beginning in March 2007. Retailers may still have pre-existing inventory of analog-only devices, but they must be labeled with a consumer alert.
Consumers with analog technology who receive free, over-the-air programming will need both their antenna (rabbit ears or rooftop antenna) and a converter box.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the government will begin taking requests for the coupon program. To apply for a converter box coupon, call 1-888-388-2009 or visit dtv.gov. The coupons are available on a first come, first serve basis until the program reaches $890 million. Additional funds may be made available after.
Retailers participating in the coupon program will be listed on the dtv.gov Web site.
jaho@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 11
Derrel Shaw
posted 2/04/08 @ 11:47 PM PST
Thanks for the information. My wife and I are older (81 and 77), so we will need help to make the transition. Do you recommend someone in the 79022 Area Code?
Should we consider HD? With HD would we still need to have a dish?
Thanks for any help and/or suggestions. (Continued…)
bright_one
posted 2/05/08 @ 9:46 AM PST
This piece has it wrong!
Not all analogue television is going off the air. Only regular "high power" stations are. Low power transmitters, mostly found in rural areas are still going to be broadcasting. (Continued…)
Panem et circenses
posted 2/05/08 @ 6:26 PM PST
A friend of mine was offered the converter coupon plus a discount on cable service. The problem: she's been living on social security/food stamps and cannot afford either. (Continued…)
tim
posted 5/04/08 @ 10:38 AM PST
I bought a hdtv and I can pick up some new digital broadcasting channels,
but when it rainy or cloudy days my digital channel's go off and on. Are they still working on the transmitters. (Continued…)
bright_one
posted 5/05/08 @ 7:28 PM PST
You can go to the web-site below to get antenna direction information:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx
You key in your address and it will display a map of your available TV channels and the direction you should point your antenna in. (Continued…)
orwellduk
posted 5/07/08 @ 11:24 AM PST
How about a global tv dump day because people are gonna realize diggee tv is a gimmick designed to get you to waste money. Bigmedia is so dumb they may accidentally get everyone off their crack by shutting down the analog signal. (Continued…)
canal boat holidays
posted 5/19/08 @ 4:26 AM PST
I don't understand why this is at all necessary, analog television has been around for over 60 years, why do they want to kill it now?
Post a Comment