Can someone help me with the new digital switchover for TVs?

Question

I do not understand what is going to happen with my TV. I know the switchover is in Feb 2009. My TV is about 7-8 years old and I'm not sure if it is digital.

Is there a way to find out if it is digital or analog?

What is the difference between digital and analog?

If I were to buy a new TV, do I have to buy a new digital TV (one of the really expensive ones) to watch when the switchover occurs (without buying a converter)?

I know I am asking a lot here, but I would really appreciate some help.

Answer 1

I'll start with your last question:

>If I were to buy a new TV, do I have to buy a new digital TV (one of the really expensive ones) to watch when the switch over occurs (without buying a converter)?

Except for old stock (which should have a warning sign), any new TV that you buy will have a digital tuner. It doesn't have to be expensive! If you go to Walmart you should see TVs that look identical to 20 year old TVs, except that they have both digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners. About $250 for a 27" model. These will receive all over the air TV programming.

If you want a flat TV or a "High Definition" TV, you will pay the big bucks. Your $250 Walmart special (or your old TV with a converter box) will receive all the channels that the high priced ones will. Its just that you will have to be satisfied with near DVD quality, which by definition is not "HD" quality.

>What is the difference between digital and analog?

Digital and analog TV signals use the same frequencies and therefore use the same antennas. The difference is that with digital TV, the picture information is broken down into a form that only computer chips can understand. By making this change, more channels and higher resolution images can be squeezed into the same amount of frequencies.

>My TV is about 7-8 years old and I'm not sure if it is digital.

If its that old it probably doesn't have a digital tuner. If you add a comment with the TV's brand & model #, I could tell you. Even if it had a digital tuner built in, newer digital tuners can handle marginal TV signals better.

In Jan 08, the government is going to be giving out $40 off coupons for people to purchase converter boxes. The estimated price for them in Jan 08 is $20
(after coupon). Since most people will get a noticeably better picture using the digital converter than what they're used to, there isn't much reason to wait until Feb 09 comes around or rush to buy the latest high priced wonder TV.

The Feb 09 date is for OTA TV only. Cable and satellite companies do not have to cut off analog signals.

Old type OTA TV signals = NTSC = "Analog TV"
New type OTA TV signals = ATSC = "Digital TV" = DTV

OTA = "Over the Air" = stuff you get through your TV antenna

Answer 2

First, your TV is not Digital or HD...otherwise you would see the letters HD on the front of the TV....

Second, IF YOU HAVE a cable or satellite BOX...you don't need to worry about the Feb 2009 switchover...they aren't controlled by the 2009 deadline, only the LOCAL TV transmissions are shutting OFF the analog and staying with the DIGITAL signals....

If your getting the LOCAL channels only, there is a governmental deal where they will give you a $40 coupon to purchase a Digital to Analog converter box at the local electronic stores...They will be available in Feb 2008.

Digital and Analog Transmissions are like FM and AM transmissions. Your TV is like an AM radio, and you need a special converter to recieve the FM stations ONCE the AM stations shut off their power...

ANY TV you buy right now will work with the switchover...they haven't built the old TVs since 2006....Of course I'm talking about buying a NEW TV and not a floor model...those TVs should be clearly marked that they cannot recieve the Digital TV stations.

Answer 3

Blame in on the Jones, and the advertisers who try with various success, to persude us to maintain up with them. I even have seen questions approximately right here from people who had a freeview field, yet then have been given a digital television. there is the income of having yet another digital format, regardless of the undeniable fact that it is not nicely actual worth the cost of a clean television. whilst an previous shade television stopped working , I positioned an previous black and white transportable in its place, it has digital on that, even and not making use of a scart socket.

Answer 4

i do not think it is digital