When do we need to switch to HD Tv's?

Question

I know there is a law coming up and that all companies will only run on hd tvs and that everyone has to go out and but a new HD tv but when is all of this happening.

Answer 1

(This answer assumes you are located in the US)

Someone is giving you bad information.

No one has to buy a new TV.

What is true is that the US is changing over from an analog to a digital TV broadcast system. However, digital TV signals can be cheaply converted to analog signals that old TVs can use. This includes "HDTV" signals.

If you get TV over the air (OTA), you will need to buy a converter box to keep using older TVs. Most analog TV signals will be shut down after 2/17/2009. Starting in Jan 2008 the government will start giving out coupons that will let you buy a couple of them for about $20 each. If you get good OTA reception now, you should be able to use your old TV antenna.

Satellite TV signals are already digital. The receivers have a converter to change them to analog for older TV's

Cable companies are required to maintain analog TV service until at least 2012.

If you go to Walmart you can buy "SDTV"s that have digital tuners and can receive all the digital OTA broadcasts, including "HD" ones. The difference is that a SDTV or an old TV with a converter box can only display a picture of the quality that you get with a DVD player. A HDTV set can display a picture with at least twice as much picture resolution.

Answer 2

Although the previous responses to this question were "interesting," they failed to answer the actual question. The FCC has mandated a February 17, 2009 deadline for broadcasters to switch transmissions of over-the-air signals from the current analog transmissions to digital transmissions. The switch only affects people who watch local TV channels using an antenna (internal or external). The switch to digital DOES NOT affect people who watch TV channels via a cable TV or satellite TV service. People who are watching local channels via over-the-air signals will have to get a digital converter box by the Feb. 17, 2009 deadline in order to continue watching their local channels. For those people who are actually affected by the switch to digital transmissions, the federal government will give out vouchers to help pay for the digital converter boxes.

The FCC mandated the switch to digital broadcasting because the airwaves are getting too crowded. Since digital transmissions are more efficient than analog transmissions, mandating a switch to digital transmissions will free up more airwave frequencies. At the insistence of the TV industry, the digital deadline has been pushed back multiple times over the years because TV manufacturers do not want to make TVs that can receive digital transmissions (it costs a tad more to make these TVs).

Please keep in mind that high definition TV service and digital TV service are two separate issues. High definition refers to the resolution (number of lines on the screen) of the television transmission. Digital TV refers to the method of how the signal is transmitted (analog vs digital). A person can watch a digital TV transmission and it may or may not be high definition.

On a side note: The prices of HD TVs has dropped over recent years, and they will continue to drop until the HD TV market has matured. As an example of this recent drop in price, one study has noted that the average price of 42 inch flat-panel TVs has dropped from $3,900 in 2004 to $1,900 in 2006.

Answer 3

TV is changing to digital over the the next few years and the analogue system is being turned off.

HOWEVER there are NO plans to change the system to HD TV only as this is something totally different.

To Recap you do not need to switch to HD unless you want to.

Answer 4

February 17, 2009 and well every major consumer electronic store is starting to pull the old tube sets from the shelves. This does not mean you wont be able to use your old set after this date but it is going to require you to purchase a separate box to use it.

Answer 5

When we start becoming obsess with tv shows and movies. When we have the need to experience tv shows and movies in HD. When we have the need to truly experience tv....