My husband said he read that all tv's will have to be able to pick up digital, hdtv signals by 2009. We want to purchase a new tv later this week, but I'm not sure what to look for on the box. What SPECIFICALLY am I supposed to look for to know I have purchased one that will comply with the guidelines for 2009?
I have seen a few that say something like 'set up for current and future use'. I am assuming that is referring to the 2009 guidelines, but not sure. Do I look for one that says it is HDTV ready, HDMI ready, analog/digital ready? I thought the analog wouldn't work after 2009. I'm lost. Please help.
2007-11-19 23:50:22 · 4 answers · asked by KrazyKakes 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
Over the air and some cable signals are now in analog format. Beginning in 2009, analog broadcasts will cease and everything will be in digital. HD is a slightly different subject.
If you are buying a TV now, make sure that it has a DIGITAL tuner. All TV's currently manufactured should have them, but there is still old inventory out there. In that case, the seller should be prominently displaying a notice that the product does NOT have a digital tuner. While perusing the TV's at Targét the other day, I saw some with the notice, although it was less than prominent IMHO.
I believe there will be arrangements for purchase of digital to analog converter boxes for those of us curmudgeons unwilling to ante up for new equipment, something like a government voucher.....
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Toni, you're a little confused. NTSC is analog, not digital. That's what we've been getting all these years.
Yes, ATSC is the new collection of U.S. digital standards.
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Your old VCR and/or dvd recorder can still be useable if you feed them from component outputs (RCA plugs) on your digital TV or cable box. You just can't use the analog rf tuner to recieve outside signals directly.
2007-11-20 00:46:35 · answer #1 · answered by silverbullet 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
(This answer assumes you are located in the US)
After 2/17/09 almost all over the air broadcasts will be digital (DTV) only. They are not going to be HDTV only.
In regards to looking for a new TV, nearly all of the TVs you will see in the stores will already have a digital tuner built into them. The only exceptions are old refurbished models and some inventory that has been sitting around for a while. These exceptions are supposed to have warning signs about their lack of digital tuners.
As to what to look for when buying a new TV, first consider what size screen that you want, how much you want to spend, and how you are going to get your TV signal (antenna/cable box/cable direct/satellite?).
Any TV that is labeled DTV, HDTV, or "ATSC" tuner can receive all the digital OTA broadcasts.
If you are going to hook your TV up directly to cable, it's best if it also has a "QAM" tuner. QAM is a type of digital TV signal that some cable systems use. Most digital TVs have both ATSC and QAM tuners, but some cheap ones leave out the QAM cable tuner.
If the TV will only be used with a HD cable or satellite boxes, then you could get a "HD ready" TV. It used to be that there was a significant price difference between HDTVs and "HD ready" Tvs. These days there isn't much of a price difference so you are better off with the more versatile HDTV.
As to what the terms mean:
"DTV" - TV with a digital tuner
"HDTV" - TV with a digital tuner that can display a picture with (roughly) at least twice the detail as an analog set displaying a pre-recorded DVD.
"HD ready" - TV that does not have a digital tuner but can display "HD" quality pictures if you hook it up to a HD cable/satellite/OTA box.
"HDMI" is a type of cable used to send HD video from things like HD cable boxes to HDTVs and "HD ready" Tvs.
All the DTVs & HDTVs I've seen have both analog (NTSC) and digital (ATSC) tuners built in to them. This means that you can watch analog TV on them until those channels are shut down.
While all TVs that have digital tuner (or an old TV with a $20 converter box) can receive all digital OTA broadcasts, the TVs will vary in how much picture detail you can see.
480i / SDTV / DTV - This is the level of detail you get with an analog TV playing a DVD. For small screen video this might look fine. If you are using it as a computer monitor or with HD video games it will not look that great.
720p HDTV - This can display about twice the picture resolution of 480i. Up to about 42" screens this generally looks fine.
1080i HDTV - This can display about four times the picture resolution as 480i. With 50" plus screens you can probably see the difference.
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
2007-11-20 22:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
February 17, 2009 all analog television programming will cease. When buying your new T.V makes sure it has a ATSC tuner built in. Do not be fooled into buying a NTSC tuner. This is the basic digital tuner and will not work for you in the future. Also note that you will need to upgrade your DVD/VCR players, these will require ATSC tuners as well. When you are purchasing your new T.V. it is required of the store to have signs posted and/or the sales people tell you about the upcoming changes, if they sell any type of analog products. If you cannot afford to spring for a new T.V. right now look for a set top analog to digital converter box, These sell for $50-$100 and will allow you to use your analog T.V. but I must warn you the picture quality will not be very good.
2007-11-20 09:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by tonibaby75 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
(sigh)
Antenna broadcasts are going DIGITAL. This only affects you if you use antenna.
(Anyone who tosses in "HD TV" is pretty much trying to scare you. Dont argue with them, dont make eye contact and back away and avoid them in the future.)
To future proof yourself:
- Look for a TV with 1080p internal resolution. Many TV's (including mine) will accept 1080 signals, but they down-convert them to 720. It is still gorgeous, but true 1080 will future proof your purchase.
NOTE: Almost all stations brodcast only in 720 resolution. But the new crop of BluRay and HD-DVD players do offer 1080 output so you want a 1080 compatible television.
- 2 HDMI inputs are common, but a 'better' TV has 3 HDMI inputs. If possible, it should be HDMI 1.3, but it's not a requirement.
- DLP vs Plasma vs LCD: These are all so good, you really cannot pick a TV based on this. In general, Plasma's are sexier because you hang them on a wall, but they are a bit more expensive, add $200 for the bracket and professional installation and you are getting a bit up there in price. DLP and LCD's are thicker, but a good bit less money.
- HD Source : Call your cable or Sat company and upgrade your service NOW. These TV's are so high-rez, they make standard def video look like crap. I predict a 2-3 month wait after Christmass because things will be swamped.
Good luck and you will enjoy your new set.
2007-11-20 14:44:54 · answer #4 · answered by Grumpy Mac 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋