When the the electric goes out, will we be able to use our emergency battery operated TV's ? Do I have to buy new TV sets ? Do I have to hook up to cable, dish or some other expensive outlet to watch (what has always been FREE) television? When and why was this law passed and who will profit from this change?
2007-12-10 06:25:42 · 6 answers · asked by Rag Doll 5 in Consumer Electronics ➔ TVs
The switchover will only affect you IF you use rabbit ears, or some other antenna system for what you call "free television."
Those using cable or satellite will not be affected.
The switchover has been in the works for many years - in fact it was supposed to have already happened several times but kept getting delayed.
The switchover will simply change the signal that is used by TVs. This is NOT the same as HD. In fact, many TVs are already equipped with the required tuner to receive (non-HD) digital broadcasts. Switching to a digital broadcast signal will allow for more information to be broadcast - imagine if you took an existing 4 lane highway and split each lane into half. Well, now you'd have 8 lanes...but each would only be half as wide, requiring each car to be "squished" while driving on the highway, then "unsquished" at the end. The new equipment being put in place at broadcasting stations, as well as the new tuner for your tuner will do just that. In addition, the additional lanes can be used for other channels or other purposes.
This will mean you will need a new tuner. Many TVs made in the year 2000 or later may already contain this tuner. If so, you need not do anything. However, smaller TVs, like your portable, battery operated one, will probably need the new tuner. We should start seeing the tuners in stores next year for $40 or so. In fact, you'll be able to get a coupon from the government to get a new tuner for half price.
2007-12-10 06:38:40 · answer #1 · answered by PoohBearPenguin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
(This answer assumes you are located in the US)
Simple explanation: The way that TV signals are broadcast over the air is changing. There will still be free over the air TV that you can get with an antenna. A different kind of tuner is needed to pick up these signals.
The old analog TVs will work just fine unless they don't have a way to connect an external antenna or A/V input. You have to have a way to connect a converter box between the antenna and the TV.
There will be cheap converters available next year for about $20. All the ones I've heard of plug into a AC outlet. So to keep using an old TV during a power failure, you would need to power the converter by either use a battery & AC inverter or figure out how to use a battery pack directly with the converter.
Small AC inverters that plug into a 12 volts (car lighter socket, etc) can be found pretty cheap. Auto supply places also have jump starting packs that include a battery and inverter. I resently saw one for $60 that included a jump starting battery, inverter, light, and air compressor for $60.
If you want to buy a battery operated TV with a digtial tuner, I suggest that you wait a year. The two that are on the market so far don't have very good reviews.
This change over has been in the works for about 10 years. The places that will profit the most from the change is the US government and places that make & sell fancy new TVs and don't mind selling (conning?) people into buying them.
You can read all kinds of explanations as to why this is happening, but it all boils down to is that the old analog TV is based on 1930's technology and has been patched up as much as it can. By changing to 1990's vintage digital technology, people have the option of having big screen TVs with much higher picture quality. Also more programs can be squeezed into the less radio frequencies.
2007-12-10 08:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen P 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can use a battery operated TV if it has the new digital ATSC tuner.
You do not need cable just a TV with an ATSC tuner or a converter box to watch free over the air stations.
The law was passed in 1996 and amended since then. The original deadline was supposed to be in 2006.
The US government profits from the change by selling any unused channels not assigned to the primary purpose of the bill -- to increase the frequencies for emergency communications allowing fire, police, state and federal law enforcement agencies to communicate with each other in a post 9-11-2001 world. Unused channels would then be auctioned off to wireless communications (cell phones) to pay off the national debt.
2007-12-10 06:55:01 · answer #3 · answered by Broadcast Engineer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The off air TV channels will change so the Mobile Phone industry can take over the frequencies.. that comes from the millions of dollars they paid off the politicians to take the TV channels away from the people and give them to the mobile phone industry.
You will no longer be able to use your current TV without buying a set top box
If you have satellite TV there will be no change.
2007-12-10 06:34:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you have a regular tv with a regular antenna you'll have to buy a converter box from radio shack for $50 you'll send in receipt to get $40 back from the govt
2007-12-10 12:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it relatively is extra possibly that the government has been lobbied with the help of the television manufacturers and merchants who desire to sell you lots of costly digital kit on the inspiration that it relatively is "extra helpful". it relatively is barely an excuse for some people to make a good style of money.
2016-12-10 18:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by dashrath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋