February 2009 - and "the change"...?

Question

Can anyone explain to me, in the simplest terms possible, the dog and pony show the FCC seems to be putting on regarding digital TV after February 17, 2009?
What's the deal with the converter boxes? If you subscribe to digital TV through your cable/satellite provider, whereby you have a set-top box, are you covered?
I have seen the FCC site - and it's more confusing than I thought.
I think they're just putting on a big act, if you ask me.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

And, yes, I am speaking as an analog TV owner.

Answer 1

Over the air analog (free tv) ends in the United States on February 17, 2009 (last day of analog broadcasts).

The reason is so they can assign channels 52 to 69 - 18 total over the air channels which use 108 MHz bandwidth in total (18 channels at 6 MHz each) - to emergency services and likely some new cell phone channels to handle all those new cell phones. The other reason is because the Clinton administration was convinced the auction of these channels would help reduce the national debt (at least the ones sold to non-government entities).

The converter box takes the digital signal which is totally incompatible with the analog tv sets and converts it into an analog signal. So what you have is a digital tv receiver that outputs on channels 3 and 4 like the good old VCRs did when they were first introduced. This makes it possible for you to still receive free tv on February 18, 2009 and beyond.

If you subscribe to cable or satellite TV then you are covered. If you suddenly need new equipment at a future date they are required to provide it. But most broadcasters will tell you that they are sure cable will see no difference in service on February 18, 2009. Why? Because it would cost too much for the cable company to change all their equipment (the stuff that gets the signal to your home) and issue new boxes to all their subscribers.

Alas it is not a big act. And other countries are making the change too.

Answer 2

The first answer is correct, I thought I'd explain things a bit further.

The current analog system (NTSC) was standardized in 1947, back in the days when a computer with the power of a current day $5 calculator was the size of a large room and consumed enough power to light a small town. The system has been patched up over the years, but is backwards compatible with TVs built in the US since about 1939.

The new digital TV system (ATSC) is a complete redesign to provide higher quality and HD capability. Since the 100 million (or so) old TVs can't receive the new signals, converter boxes are available to convert the new ATSC signals to something the old TVs can understand.

Starting 1/1/08 the government will have a $40 off coupon program which will bring the cost to about $20 each (2 max per household). Since the signal coming out of the converter will probably be DVD quality, there isn't much reason wait after 1/1/08. Especially since I think the government hasn't allocated enough money for the coupons.

Answer 3

OK Analog TV owner, IF you have cable or satellite you don't need to do a thing, no upgrades -- no NEW TV set....

IF you watch TVs using an antenna on top of your TV or on top of your ROOF.....You will need to purchase a converter box to use your OLD ANALOG TV set....

That's as simple as I can get.....

Those two guys above me must have missed the "IN SIMPLEST TERMS" part of your request.....