When is having a Hi-Def TV going to be mandated ?

Question

When will I have to buy a new TV ?

Answer 1

To answer both of your questions. There isn't necessarily a mandate to have an HDTV, but the FCC has set a date of Feb. 17, 2009 for all broadcasters to cut off their analog broadcasts. The only people that this is going to affect are those that are getting their TV signal from an antenna. Anyone on cable and satellite isn't going to have anything to worry about. You won't have to buy a new TV unless you want to. The government is going to give people who qualify two $40 coupons that consumers can use to purchase converter boxes that will change the HD Signal of their antenna over to analog for their TV.

If you're seeing a lot of the commercials that are running now, or seeing the information in stores its not exactly clear. They make it seem like you have to have an HDTV, or you're up a creek when this happens, and its simply not the case.

Answer 2

(This answer assumes that you are located in the US)

>When is having a Hi-Def TV going to be mandated ?

Never.

>When will I have to buy a new TV ?

When your current TV breaks. (Exception: tiny TVs that do not have a way to use an external antenna or A/V cables)

Your question implies two apparent misconceptions. You have probably heard that our TV system is changing to (almost) all digital broadcasts. It is true that almost all of the old analog TV over the air (OTA) broadcasts will end on 2/17/09.

However, the new digital broadcasts can be cheaply converted to the old analog signals. This allows older TVs to receive the new digital signals.

Not all digital TV broadcasts are in "Hi-Def". Many are in "SD" or standard definition. This doesn't matter to people using older TVs because the OTA converter boxes that are used convert both "SD" and "Hi-Def" broadcasts into SD analog signals that have about the quality that a DVD player gives out.

Starting on 2/17/2008 the government will start handing out discount coupons that will let each household buy a couple of OTA converters for about $20 each. These attach between your TV antenna and your old TV and include a new remote control.

Satellite customers with older TVs already have a converter built into the receiver.

Cable companies generally supply any converters needed by their customers.

Answer 3

Stations will no longer broadcast an analog signal starting in Feb. 2009.

That does not mean you have to give you your regular TV though. If you get your TV from cable or satellite, they will support it longer with your existing box. Even if you get over the air broadcast, you can buy a converter box that is heavily subsidized by the gov't.

Answer 4

As far as I know it will be the beginning of 2009. At least that's what they're saying in my state. On a side note, the goverment will be giving coupons out worth about $40 each so people with Standard TV's can buy HD transfer boxes.

Answer 5

The only thing changing in 2009 is ANALOG antenna transmissions are all going to become DIGITAL.

The converter box's simply convert the digital channels back to analog (IN STANDARD DEFINITION) so older TV's that use antennas will still work.

There is no date that I know of when standard def service will stop.

Answer 6

The date is February 17th 2009.
Every household will receive two coupons, (supposedly worth $40.00) to cover your expenses.