2007-11-25 13:08:14 · 5 answers · asked by fritofilly 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
On February 17 2009 analog over-the-air (OTA) will be shut off. This will ONLY affect people who use an antenna to receive TV signal. If you use cable or Dish/Direct TV, you will NOT notice any difference.
If you use an antenna on a older TV that does NOT have a DIGITAL ATSC tuner on it, you will need to make a change. You can:
1. Buy a new tv wil digital ATSC tuner
2. get cable or Dish/Direct
3. hook a digital to analog convertor box to your TV. The US government will be providing 2 $40 coupons to people who want to use them to help purchase the convertor box. The box will cost about $20 with the coupon.
2007-11-25 13:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by marky 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
(This answer assumes you are located in the US)
Existing TVs can be used until they die from old age.
The reason is that digital TV signals (including "HD"ones) can be cheaply converted to analog signals that that older TVs can understand.
For example, if you get TV broadcasts over the air, there are converter boxes that go between your antenna and your TV. Starting in Jan 2008 the government will have a coupon program that will let you buy a couple of them for about $20 each. You would need them before 2/17/2009 when most analog TV broadcasts will end.
Cable and satellite companies have similar devices to supply analog TV signals to customers with older TVs.
2007-11-25 16:54:01 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you currently get your TV from the cable company or satellite dish, you are fine. Those companies will continue to provide analog signals, or converter boxes with your service.
If you actually are one of the few still getting your TV free from an antenna, you will need a digital converter box. The gov't will start issuing vouchers soon to offset most of the cost to buy those, since it is mandating the change.
2007-11-25 17:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well first they have pushed back the date back to sometime in 2009. you will be able to use your analog tv but you will need a converter, projected cost for the converter is in the $100.00 range. if you have cable or satellite then it really is a moot point.
2007-11-25 13:20:11 · answer #4 · answered by geezerrex 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/news-electronics-computers/pulling-the-plug-on-analog-tv-206/
2007-11-25 13:24:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋