When the change happens with the digital tv, will I have to buy a new tv and I really need to know if it will work with my existing dvd and vcr. I know that vcr's are outdated but I still use mine and I need to know if the dvd's I already own will work too.
2007-11-03 07:27:32 · 3 answers · asked by MADDY 4 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
(This answer assumes you are in the US)
>will I have to buy a new tv
No, you can keep using your old TV.
>if it will work with my existing dvd and vcr.
Yes these will work with DTVs.
If you get TV broadcasts over the air you will need a converter box. Starting in Jan 2008 the government will have a coupon program so you can buy a couple of them for about $20 each. If you get good analog UHF (ch 14-69) signals, you should be able to use your old TV antenna.
Cable and satellite companies will still supply the old type analog signals to customers, but some cable customers who now connect their TV directly to the cable outlet will have to use a cable box. If your satellite receiver includes an over the air tuner for local channels, you would either need a new satellite receiver or one of the $20 converters to keep getting them.
You will still be able to record programs on your VCR, but you will have to record the signal from a converter box for OTA or the analog output from your cable/satellite service.
Cheat Sheet
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Old type OTA TV signals = NTSC = "Analog TV"
New type OTA TV signals = ATSC = "Digital TV" = DTV
Digital signals used on some cable systems = QAM
OTA = "Over the Air" = stuff you get through your TV antenna
"CECB" = government speak for TV converter boxes that qualify for their coupon program. Stands for "Coupon-Eligible Converter Box"
2007-11-03 10:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At midnight on February 17, 2009, all analog TV broadcasting in the US will cease, with the exception of low power broadcasters. In January, 2008, you can apply for two coupons worth $40 off the price (around $60) of two over the air digital converters which will allow you to watch the digital OTA TV on an analog set. You can use the converter in front of a TV or VCR. Howeveer, the tuning is done in the converter, so time shift recording with the VCR won't work, except for a single preset channel, each time. You can continue to use your VCR and DVD to feed your TV as now.
If you live in a fringe area, you may have to upgrade your antenna. There is no such thing as a "digital or HDTV" antenna. An antenna is an antenna, so don't get sucked in to a "special" high priced antenna.
2007-11-03 10:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by jjki_11738 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you're genuinely appropriate in that obtaining a digital television ability you will no longer opt for a converter field. even with what a great form of human beings have self assurance, there is not any such element as a digital or analog antenna. An antenna is in simple terms the tuned piece of steel to help %. up the frequencies of the stations greater beneficial. this suggests that whether you get digital or analog is all based on the form of tuner you have. A digital converter field is unquestionably a digital tuner so your old analog television that has an analog tuner can now %. up the digital channels as a results of fact the digital tuner can examine those frequencies. in case you have a sparkling digital television than in simple terms plug the antenna into the back of your television that asserts 'air'. the single which asserts 'cable' ability you're hooked as much as some form of a cable device which includes direct television or comcast. So in simple terms hook your television as much as the antenna and run an 'autoscan' and it might %. up any digital channels on your section.
2016-11-10 03:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋