No more analog signal for our tv's??

Question

I keep hearing bits and pieces about the government not carrying the analog signal in February 2008..and that unless you have an...LSD (??) TV...that your tv is no longer going to work - or you will have to get a converter??

Does anyone know anything about this? It may not be lsd signal - I can't remember what the new one is.

Answer 1

Most of the answer above mine is correct except the cutoff date for analog TV. The last day of analog TV is February 17, 2009. When midnight rolls around and the new day of February 18, 2009 begins analog TV will be off air except in markets with low power stations and repeater stations whose broadcasters do not have to make the conversion by that date (they get a little longer to make the conversion).

The converter boxes will most likely appear on the market in 2008. The government's program to reduce the prices with coupons begins on January 1, 2008.

The reason for the change is to reduce the number of frequencies needed for TV channels so that some of these frequencies can be reassigned for emergency communications use (post 9-11-2001 reason and the reason why the date is urget). And likely so that others can be reassigned for other uses which the government can auction off to pay of the national debt (one of the intended reasons why the law was first passed in 1996).

For more details see:

http://www.dtv.gov

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/

Answer 2

In the US (assuming you live in the US, e-mail if not)Terrestrial Analog broadcasts (NTSC) will stop as of midnight 2/17/2009. From that point onward TV over the air will consist of ATSC programing ONLY.

Your current NTSC TV will need a ATSC tuner to continue functioning. Said tuner will be able to down convert the image to NTSC. Off air tuners are expected to sell for less than $100 US, but only when needed. More than likely you have cable or Sat, so keep reading.

This only applies to over the air. If you have cable they will be required to downconvert until 2012. Sat is still up in the air (yes pun intended) but look for a similar date. Again the box they will provide will down convert.

You may want to get a new HD TV though.

CRTs use a lot of energy plasma, DLP, LCD,etc.. all use way less. The impressive resolutions of HD are simply amazing. Dolby 5.1 surround sound comes to mind as well.

Just know that the government IS NOT making you buy a new TV. You just may need a box to make it work.

beware of Best Buy and other Big Box stores, they are the ones making up this propaganda (to sell TVs!!) don't believe them.

Answer 3

All TV broadcasting in the UK will be switching to digital between now and 2012. Unless you already have Sky or cable, your existing TV will not work unless you get a Freeview box. These cost from £20 upwards. The link below tells all about the switchover and when it will happen in your area.

http://www.ukfree.tv/starthere.php

Hope this helps