my tv is not a digital tv but I do have a digital converter for my digital cable box, does this mean that I do not have to buy a new tv? I keep reading and reading and reading but am finding nothing that says we will be forced to buy a new tv it just says capable of receiving digital signals, which I can since I have digital cable. Can someone say for sure or point me in the right direction, or do I need to start saving for a new tv even though I have a beautiful 42 inch tv in a built in cabinet that I have only had for a few years......thanks
2007-12-05 11:00:45 · 4 answers · asked by Jessie is a Hardy fan 6 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
> am finding nothing that says we will be forced to buy a new tv
That's because you don't have to buy a new TV. The reason is that digital TV signals can be cheaply converted to the older analog signals that your TV understands.
In your case, the cable company is already sending you digital TV signals; your cable box/converter changes the digital cable signals to analog ones for your TV. In other words, you have already gone through the "end of analog TV" in your house!
If you wanted to also receive TV with an antenna (OTA), you would need to buy a converter box. Starting in Jan 2008 you can buy a couple of them for about $20 each using a government coupon. (Handy as a back up if your cable goes out.)
2007-12-05 13:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. If you receive your TV over the air (OTA), you'll need a converter box. Any digital converter associated with cable TV is the wrong type for OTA reception. In January of 2008, each household can apply for two coupons worth $40 each towards the price of two converter boxes that will cost about $60 each, before coupon. With these, you can recieve and watch the Digital over the air TV on your old set.
2. If you have cable, the Govt. has ordered the cable companies to continue to broadcast analog versions of trhe local OTA TV until 2012. So you can still watch on your old TV.
3. If you use a cable box, you're not effected by the change.
2007-12-05 20:00:33 · answer #2 · answered by jjki_11738 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your current TV will work just fine.
What's happening in 2009 is that broadcast (over-the-air) TV stations will no longer be broadcasting analog TV signals. So, if you watch broadcast TV, you'll need to buy a digital tuner for it. The output of the digital tuner is a standard TV channel 3 (analog) that your TV can then play.
If you have digital cable and never watch broadcast (over-the-air) TV, you will not be affected in the least. I haven't heard how the cable companies are going to handle the digital broadcast (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.) channels. They may just leave them as analog signals, so people with analog TVs who don't use a converter box won't have to change anything to be able to watch these basic channels.
2007-12-05 19:49:02 · answer #3 · answered by Paul in San Diego 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be fine with the Digital Cable converter box.
2007-12-05 19:18:34 · answer #4 · answered by moniquee248 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋