Topic: Digital TV Transition Time (Read 1813 times)

dibblejr · « **on:** January 01, 2008, 01:13:11 PM »

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This will apply to everyone who lives in the United States

Next month Digital TV Converter Boxes will go on sale.

Why the warning?

In 2009 if you do not have a Digital TV set or some form of Digital Service you will not be able to view television and will get a black screen. It's that simple.

What can you do about it?

Spend $ to purchase a digital tv and not Subaru parts or purchase the converter box that will be required in order to view your television.

Below is a link that you can apply for a $40 coupon from the federal government towards the converter box. It is fast to apply and best of all, it is free. You can also learn more about this program.

Hopefully this helps some of you.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Jay-R

deadlydave · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2008, 01:48:26 PM »

Thanks for the headsup.

After a new bed, a LCD TV is on the list...the new-Gen systems like the Wii look washed out on my old tv's.

ed · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2008, 03:22:22 PM »

I don't think I know anyone who's still on analog.

BlackParis · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2008, 03:30:19 PM »

i've had digi boxes for 2 years now...

its sweet getting 2-3 channels of every station!

channel 10 has a 100% weather channel

dibblejr · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2008, 04:58:40 PM »

They are out there, my fathers area has no cable and no cell phone reception. The cingular guy never made it out there to test the reception.

Some of my local members also have no cable. They get everything through satellite and pay a good penny for it.

Jay-R

Quote from: ed on January 01, 2008, 03:22:22 PM

I don't think I know anyone who's still on analog.

beat22 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2008, 10:54:27 PM »

no cable offered for me either..... and all analog is all i got =P

skyphix · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2008, 08:32:24 AM »

We get cable and have one digital box. But 2 bucks per box extra is a rip off so the other tv's in the house are just analog. Guess I need to buy one soon (bullshit).

BlackParis · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2008, 08:52:00 AM »

Quote from: beat22 on January 01, 2008, 10:54:27 PM

no cable offered for me either..... and all analog is all i got =P

What do you have for internet? we have Wildblue Satellite (FTW!), used to have Hughes but that sucked...

beat22 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2008, 10:54:59 PM »

Quote from: BlackParis on January 02, 2008, 08:52:00 AM

What do you have for internet? we have Wildblue Satellite (FTW!), used to have Hughes but that sucked...

some taconic dsl.... i know i have a 27fps rate on WoW so it can't suck to bad +P

JayS02RS · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2008, 08:39:16 PM »

Yeah, my friend still does over the air. Me, i need my HD.

darroj · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2008, 08:50:25 PM »

I do over the air HD

looks great... and i don't have to pay for cable, yay (though i really miss ESPN, comedy central and discovery channel...)

deadlydave · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:40:30 AM »

Rich has a point. Now, why aren't all our cell phone networks 3G like europe? That's something that should be mandatory.

darroj · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2008, 12:40:10 PM »

You don't need to have cable or satellite at all. Yes, you will need to buy a converter box, but the $40 coupon won't make it all that expensive. I have a HD 37" LCD with a built in HD tuner (basically what that converter box will do) and here's what I use to avoid having to pay for cable. That's the amplified version, you can also get a non amplivied version for less. It works great and the picture quality is fantastic. Within a few years, most people will own an LCD TV. They're becoming more available and as a result, more affordable. Not to mention they kick ass and look awesome. Also, I get about 25+ channels in HD for free (I'm only counting the english ones, since I live near LA)

In summary, you will need to buy the converter box and you will need an HD antenna. I feel like getting HDTV for just that little is a good deal for everyone.

That said, can't wait to watch the Packers win tomorrow in HD. GO PACK!

deadlydave · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2008, 04:15:45 PM »

Quote from: darroj on January 10, 2008, 12:40:10 PM

That said, can't wait to watch the Packers win tomorrow in HD. GO PACK!

Hell yea! Go GB!

darroj · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2008, 08:21:38 PM »

i guess the government wants the VHF frequencies back. in a sense it will lower the demand of cable companies charging absurd amounts for HD programming. Once everything is UHF (HD) then prices on all goods will probably have to come down. This includes HD TV's, accessories, and probably programming. I agree it's like forcing, but once standard is gone, it may help people who dont want to fork over that $100+/month

BrunOfOne · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2008, 08:31:22 PM »

from clark howard:

Jan 10, 2008 -- Do you need to prepare for the digital TV switch?
There's been a lot of misinformation out there about the February 2009 switch from analog to digital broadcasts in the TV world. Digital signals take up a much smaller chunk of spectrum than analog ones. So this change will allow the government to reclaim wireless real estate from TV stations and then sell it off at auction. You might think that your old, non-digital TV will be useless when the change is made. But that's not entirely correct. First, let's clarify who this coming change will affect. The more than 80 percent of people who use cable or satellite to get TV won't have to worry about anything. It's the less than 20 percent who watch TV for free with rabbit ears who will have to make a change.

Here's what you need to know if you fall into the latter category: Your old TV will not be trash in 2009. It just needs a converter box that allows it to accept digital signals. The feds are subsidizing two $40 vouchers for each person with an old TV. But don't run out to get them just yet; the boxes are still new and fairly expensive. By the fall, Clark expects that they'll be at a price point where the vouchers should cover most of the cost. The neat thing is that the picture on your old TV will improve once you get a digital signal.

skyphix · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2008, 08:38:21 PM »

Quote from: darroj on January 10, 2008, 08:21:38 PM

i guess the government wants the VHF frequencies back. in a sense it will lower the demand of cable companies charging absurd amounts for HD programming. Once everything is UHF (HD) then prices on all goods will probably have to come down. This includes HD TV's, accessories, and probably programming. I agree it's like forcing, but once standard is gone, it may help people who dont want to fork over that $100+/month

I fork over 100+ per month without HD or any movie channels - just internet and digital cable.

The real question is, will the price of cable REALLY come down or since they know people will pay 100+ per month will it just stay the same on the same rate increase schedule? My guess would be the latter.

Clark Howard is wrong. It still impacts me that I have to spend money to buy a digital box so that I can watch TV on more than one TV. That's why I think satellite is ridiculous if you have another option. I don't use rabbit ears. If I don't buy the box my TV is a DVD/VHS/Game Console monitor and nothing more. It impacts me the same as someone that uses rabbit ears except that they now have to subscribe to cable or satellite in order to watch TV. Voucher or not.

dibblejr · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2008, 09:04:36 PM »

^^ No, they are supossed to get just their local channels if they do not subscribe to cable tv. You must have over looked that point.

But yes I believe it will in someway affect us all.

Jay-R

skyphix · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2008, 06:51:15 AM »

Jay, I did overlook that. Around here, that means nothing changes - people who use rabbit ears pretty much only get local channels anyway.

Most of my above statements still stand though

darroj · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:56:43 AM »

Wow, I must underestimate what cable costs. I pay $24.95/month for roadrunner. I bought a TV with a built in digital tuner, so OTA HD is free. The government tried helping with new TV's too, making it that any new TV made must come equipped with a digital tuner so you wouldn't need a box, but companies got around that by selling "TV's" as "monitors".

I know it is forcing, but I guess it doesn't really effect me. I moved out, the only TV I owned a 13" that I used in college. I got a job, I went straight to HD. But I guess for some people, it certainly will have more of an impact. I think you could use this opportunity to upgrade to an HDTV... tell the wife you have to upgrade to keep TV and leave out the details

BlackParis · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:14:29 PM »

Quote from: skyphix on January 11, 2008, 06:51:15 AM

Jay, I did overlook that. Around here, that means nothing changes - people who use rabbit ears pretty much only get local channels anyway.

Most of my above statements still stand though

Well. they are still local , But since they are digital ,there is more than one channel for each local station...

6 - CBS - has 2 channels - 1 regular broadcasting, 1 old sitcoms?
10 - ABC - has 2 channels - Regular Broadcasting, and 24hour weather
13 - NBC - 3 channels - Regular, 24hour weather, Picture in Picture Regular broadcasting inside the weather
17 - PBS - 3 channels - 3 differnt programs going @ once
23 - fox - 2 channels
45 - WB - 1 channel
55 - ?? - 4 channels, 1 shop @ home? Kids educational programming? more shop @ home stuff? Local Aritists?

So yeah, there is always something on now adays... Digital is great!

Red04WRX · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:34:12 PM »

channel 6 has a channel for old sitcoms? what number is it? are you on time warner? i'd be interested as hell in a channel like that and i havent seen it on tw.

Red04WRX · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:34:43 PM »

Quote from: darroj on January 11, 2008, 11:56:43 AM

The government tried helping with new TV's too, making it that any new TV made must come equipped with a digital tuner so you wouldn't need a box, but companies got around that by selling "TV's" as "monitors".

hahaha yeah I have a 37" monitor on my wall

darroj · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2008, 12:50:51 PM »

Quote from: Red04WRX on January 12, 2008, 12:34:12 PM

channel 6 has a channel for old sitcoms? what number is it? are you on time warner? i'd be interested as hell in a channel like that and i havent seen it on tw.

it's OTA stuff - listings - www.zap2it.com and anything with a decimal is digital... not sure what's in the the area, but tom seems to know already

at least for me, abc is 4.1, but i get 4.2 and 4.4 (or something like that) - one is just news, one is just weather

BlackParis · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2008, 06:08:07 PM »

Quote from: Red04WRX on January 12, 2008, 12:34:12 PM

channel 6 has a channel for old sitcoms? what number is it? are you on time warner? i'd be interested as hell in a channel like that and i havent seen it on tw.

yep 6.3

... there is no 6.2??? wierd...

Your going to have to plug in the rabbit ears to get it...

Author Topic: Digital TV Transition Time (Read 1813 times)