In 2009 everything will be a digital signal. In my house we have 1 HD tv and 4 regular. 3 are hooked up to basic cabe and 1 has rabbit ears. I know I will need to buy something for the rabbit ears one. But if my other tvs are hooked up to basic cable will I need to do anything?
2007-11-16 07:19:14 · 4 answers · asked by steved1990 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
In regards to your 3 conventional TVs that are hooked up to cable, cable companies are required to maintain analog TV service until at least 2012. They can (and many will) change their systems to all digital and meet this requirement by supplying converter boxes for customers with analog sets. You would have to ask your local cable company if they're going to do this and if so, whether you could buy your own QAM tuners or if you have to get the converters from them.
For your TV on the rabbit ears, you will need to buy a converter box before 2/17/09. The government will start a coupon program in Jan 2008 so you can pick a couple up at about $20 each. These $20 boxes only have tuners for over the air signals. As far as I know, none will include a tuner for QAM cable signals.
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"
2007-11-16 08:11:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you do not either upgrade to either:
1. a HDTV TV set or
2. a set-up box for converting the digital to analog so that you use your existing TV set by 2009,
you will be up the creek. All of the analog signals are being shut down at that time.
From what I hear, these frequencies will be auctioned for the possible expansion of cellular phone services.
2007-11-16 15:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by awhitsel 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your cable TVs will work fine with the cable ...but in 2012 you will WANT a cable box for any LOW DEF TVs. At that time the cable signal MAY go HD fully and you'll need the box to convert it to Low Def....
2007-11-16 19:22:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You just cant assume that your cable carrier is giving you digital signals. It is something you must talk with them about. Where as with satelite providers, you can rest assured that it is 100% digital.
2007-11-16 15:25:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋