I need to know what kind of TV to get him. I was talking with one of my friends and he said that in about 2 years, only a certain type of TV will get picture. Please help because I am totally lost. Thanks.
2007-11-08 11:10:27 · 8 answers · asked by Dirty Sanchez 5 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
(This answer assumes you are located the US)
The truth behind all the talk is that the US is changing its TV broadcast system from analog to digital. After 2/17/09, almost all of the old over the air analog channels will be shut down.
The digital broadcasts can be cheaply converted to the old analog type, so older TVs can continue to be used with a converter box.
All of the new TVs being produced for the US market already have a digital tuner built in to them. But you may find some older models on sale that only have an analog tuner. This is particularly true on "refurbished" TVs. There is supposed to be a warning sign to tell you this but I would check the box or specs to make sure it can receive digital channels. If it has an ASTC tuner, it can receive digital broadcasts.
If you edit your question to include your price range or size of screen you are thinking of (and what country you are in) , perhaps you could receive more specific advice.
Cheat Sheet
--------------------------------------...
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"
2007-11-08 12:11:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well if you're buying him a TV, you will probably be buying either an LCD or Plasma. I believe BestBuy has now stopped selling all "tube" TV's. Anyway, anything you buy now will work when we go HD in 2009 (supposedly). As for TV's, shop around....for example, as 32" Toshiba/Sony LCD will run around $1100, but there are other good brands such as Vizio for $400. You'll see that there are the couple of really well known brands, a big price gap......then everyone else.
2007-11-08 11:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by Mark J 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
All tv's will be able to get a picture its a myth & bad marketing that says they wont.
what will eventually change is the reciever part which is either freeview, sky. cable. so even if you buy an older style tv today all he will need in the future is a freeview box or sky or cable. so you can either do him a favour by spending a few hundred quid with one with freeview already built in.
or leave it for him to buy a freeview box to plug into his tv for about £10 when they eventually switch over in his area.
I think the main thing is to ask him if he even likes the new style tv's i know my dad hates them he says you cant see what your looking at at all angles & its now a funny shape.
if he likes them fine buy him the new style.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/tv/switchover.shtml
2007-11-08 11:30:05 · answer #3 · answered by wonderingstar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well tell your Friend he or she is wrong I am in physical science were we look at stuff you are talking about. all of the tvs will still work like they are doing now. so theres nothing to worry about but if I had to recommend a brade for you then get a SAMSUNG OR SONY they last for a very very long time and there great looking.
2007-11-08 11:17:45 · answer #4 · answered by jomster56 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think your friend is confused.
There are laws that say all broadcasts will have to be digital, but I don't think they make tv's that don't take a digital input anymore.
He may also be thinking that you need to buy an HDTV, but I think they have to become waaayyyy more affordable before they become standard.
2007-11-08 11:19:13 · answer #5 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to worry about that unless he only gets TV over the air through an antenna.
Read through this...
http://www.dlp.com/hdtv/analog.aspx
2007-11-08 11:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by chronick 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tv signals by feb 27 2008 will only be in digital because analog will be turned off. so that just means to buy a new lcd or plasma tv and a hd antenna and your good to go.
2007-11-08 11:22:09 · answer #7 · answered by THE GOOD NIGHT 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you know i havent heard that but an hd tv would kinda be a pain for your dad gl
2007-11-08 11:19:09 · answer #8 · answered by jingles_delille 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋