if u have an "old" TV...

[fineleg]

How to survive the digital TV transition The impending switch to all-digital broadcast TV will be a step forward, but it could be bumpy for many Over the next 18 months or so, you'll be hearing a lot about the digital TV transition. Here's what you need to know: On Feb. 17, 2009, broadcasters must shut down their analog systems and transmit only digital TV signals to comply with the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act. While that sounds cataclysmic, the change will affect only the way free TV will be broadcast over the air, to a rooftop or indoor antenna. All TVs (no matter what type) connected to cable, satellite, or one of the new telephone company fiber-optic services should continue to function as they do now. A TV connected to an antenna might or might not work after Feb. 17, 2009. That depends on the type of TV. Which TVs will still work with an over-the-air antenna? A TV with a built-in digital tuner (called an ATSC tuner) will be able to get free over-the-air digital programming, with no action on your part. Your TV probably has a digital tuner if it falls into one of the following categories:

• It's a big-screen, high-definition TV bought within the last few years. The government has required sets with screens 35 inches and larger to have a digital tuner since July 2005, and sets 25 inches and larger since March 2006. Those sets are sometimes called integrated HDTVs.
• It's a new TV purchased this year. Since March of this year, all new TVs regardless of size have been required to have a digital tuner. Most TVs bought within the last few months should be OK, whether they're high-definition sets or the new digital standard-definition TVs. (Retailers are allowed to sell off their existing inventory of analog TVs that do not have a digital tuner. They should be clearly marked as analog sets, but ask the salesperson to be sure.)

Which TVs will no longer work with an over-the-air antenna? A TV that has only an analog tuner, called an NTSC tuner, will not be able to get free over-the-air digital programming. Your TV does not have a digital tuner if it is one of the following:

• An older picture-tube TV that is not a high-definition set.
• An HD-ready TV purchased several years ago.
• A new type of set, called a monitor, that has no built-in tuner of any kind.

(If you're unsure as to whether or not your TV contains a digital tuner, consult the product manual or call the manufacturer's customer service line.) How can you make those TVs work? To use any of those TVs to get free TV via antenna, you will have to attach an external device that contains a digital ATSC tuner. (Keep that in mind if, at some point, you disconnect cable or satellite from an older set to use it in your bedroom or basement with an antenna connection.) There are two ways to do this:

• You can buy a digital converter box that will accept the digital feed from the antenna and convert it into analog signals your TV can accept. That would enable you to receive digital broadcasts, but they will be converted to lower-quality analog signals--even if your TV is an HD-ready set or an HD monitor. Those converters are not yet on the market, but they are expected soon. LG and Thomson (RCA) are expected to introduce models by January for $50 to $70. The government will offer a limited number of $40 coupons on a first-come, first-served basis to defray the cost.
• You can also buy a new VCR, DVD recorder, or digital hard-disk recorder (sometimes called a DVR) that contains a digital tuner and route signals from the antenna through that device to your TV. A number of such recorders are already available from various brands, many selling in the $200 range. As with TVs, verify with a salesperson that the model you've selected contains an ATSC tuner. You would have to keep the recorder turned on in order to watch TV. An HD-ready set or HD monitor would then be able to display HD, but a standard-definition set would downgrade the signal to analog quality.

Other options for getting TV programming Alternatively, you could use one of those TVs with cable, satellite, or telephone company video service if it is available in your area. Plans start at about $15 to $20 a month for the most basic level of programming, and a digital set-top box rents for about $5 to $10 a month. As you're weighing the costs and complexity of those various options, don't rule out the idea of buying a new TV before seeing what's involved. You don't have to buy a high-definition TV set. Some digital standard-definition TVs, which contain an ATSC digital tuner, are relatively low-cost--in the neighborhood of $250 to $300 or so for a 27-inch picture-tube model. We tested a number of those sets last year and found that most offered good picture quality. Another budget-friendly option: You'll find some digital LCDs with screens in the 20- to 26-inch range that sell for about $400 to $600. With any of those TVs, you could get digital TV from an antenna with no extra equipment or ongoing cost. FEDERAL COUPONS MIGHT HELP U.S. CONSUMERS Because the federal government is requiring the transition, Uncle Sam will foot part of the bill for the purchase of digital converter boxes. Households with analog TVs connected to an antenna are eligible to receive two $40 coupons to buy two converter boxes (two coupons cannot be combined to purchase one box). Consumers must request the coupons from Jan. 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009. The coupons will expire three months after they're issued. Coupons will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until federal funding is exhausted. Federal legislation has allocated up to $1.5 billion to this program. Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, finds little to applaud in this plan, which senior policy analyst Jeannine Kenney describes as "under funded" and "intentionally difficult for consumers to use." "Unless Congress revisits the structure and funding of the coupon program," she said, "the digital transition will be not just an annoyance to consumers, it will be a financial burden as well, undermining the likelihood that the 2009 transition deadline will be met." For more information on the coupon program, visit the FCC's DTV home page. You can phone in questions about DTV to the FCC's toll-free Consumer Center at 888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322). Other useful online resources: www.dtvtransition.org, a site sponsored by the Digital TV Transition Coalition, a diverse group of TV and consumer electronics industry associations dedicated to educating consumers, and the official Web site of the National Association of Broadcasters' digital television (DTV) transition campaign. You can also check out www.HearUsNow.org, a consumer advocacy Web site managed by Consumers Union for public policy issues such as the transition to digital TV. ANTENNAS: YOUR LINK TO FREE DTV The impending transition from analog to digital for local broadcasts has put a whole new spin on over-the-air reception, which lost favor when cable and satellite became widely available. Here's what you need to know about using an antenna to get digital TV broadcasts. More channels, better quality. Digital over-the-air broadcasts can provide very high-quality picture and sound--including high-definition programming--free of charge. You might even get more channels than you did with analog broadcasts, because many networks broadcast several subchannels with different programming than the main station. (You won't pull in cable- and satellite-only stations such as ESPN and CNN.) What you'll get. The number of stations you can receive digitally, and whether you can receive them, will vary depending on your locale. To find out about digital TV stations in your area, visit http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonair.html.You'll have the best shot at receiving digital transmissions if there's a clear path to a station's transmitter. Tall buildings, mountains, or trees can block the signal. To gauge the potential strength of the HD signal in your area, check out AntennaWeb. Antenna choices. Rabbit ears and indoor antennas might work, but a larger roof-mounted antenna is generally more effective at pulling in signals. Larger antennas can also be mounted in attics. You'll find antenna advice at the AntennaWeb. Web site and the HDTV Antenna Labs Web site, an enthusiast site dedicated to reviews of DTV antennas and technical articles. Installation options. Although professional antenna installation was once a common service, finding an installer today might not be as easy as finding someone to wire a home computer network. None of the major electronics chains our reporter called (BestBuy, Circuit City, and Sears) install outdoor antennas. AntennasDirect provides a listing of resellers and installers around the country. The do-it-yourselfer can download a useful guide on installing an outdoor TV antenna. You might also find a professional antenna installer in your area on the Homeblue Contractor Network site, or at Craigslist.

[apocalypse]

Back to the future finey?

[fineleg]

Back to the future finey?

LOL! Was reading consumer reports and saw this in the editorial.

[maggot_brain]

What do you know? The Americans like to create their own standards for different communications etc. E.g. their mobile phone networks, their digital tv standard is different from everywhere else, ntsc. The list goes on. I'm sure other people can come up with other examples.

[Guest dada_rocks]

I have best solution.. Don't watch TV.. Last time I switched on TV was a month back

[maggot_brain]

Television is a good medium when used correctly. Unfortunately the whole world seems obsessed with garbage reality TV shows. At least here in the UK we have some decent channels like BBC4, More4 etc.

[Predator_05]

What do you know? The Americans like to create their own standards for different communications etc. E.g. their mobile phone networks' date=' their digital tv standard is different from everywhere else, ntsc. The list goes on. I'm sure other people can come up with other examples.[/quote'] NTSC system isn't just exclusive to the United States. It's used in parts of Latin America, all of the Caribbean and in Japan/Korea/Taiwan too.

[maggot_brain]

NTSC system isn't just exclusive to the United States. It's used in parts of Latin America' date=' all of the Caribbean and in Japan/Korea/Taiwan too.[/quote'] OK, but isn't ATSC US specific? In Europe we use DVB for digital television. I think it's used in a fair few Asia-Pacific countries as well. Don't the Americans use a different standard for digital radio as well? I have to admit, I'm not massively well informed on these issues. They even have to spell and pronounce English words differently. It's tom-ah-toe not to-may-toe!!!!!!

[Predator_05]

OK, but isn't ATSC US specific? In Europe we use DVB for digital television. I think it's used in a fair few Asia-Pacific countries as well. Don't the Americans use a different standard for digital radio as well? I have to admit, I'm not massively well informed on these issues. They even have to spell and pronounce English words differently. It's tom-ah-toe not to-may-toe!!!!!!

Not really. Some NTSC specific countries (not the USA) are already using ATSC, albeit not on a large scale. The transistion isn't just going to be confined to North America. Like you, i don't know enough to elaborate ...and no offence, but i reckon Americans use Anglais much better than the English do. The # different accents that exist in England (let alone the UK) is ridiculous and at times you can't even make out what they are saying.

[maggot_brain]

Not really. Some NTSC specific countries (not the USA) are already using ATSC, albeit not on a large scale. The transistion isn't just going to be confined to North America. Like you, i don't know enough to elaborate ...and no offence, but i reckon Americans use Anglais much better than the English do. The # different accents that exist in England (let alone the UK) is ridiculous and at times you can't even make out what they are saying.

Oh how wrong you are. Having different accents is interesting and add to the diversity of a country. You may have a problem understanding what they are saying but it's no more difficult to comprehend than some Texas redneck or Appalachian banjo-player. Americans frequently use English incorrectly for example, 1. One hundred five! - no, one hundred and five 2. Write your congressman - no, write to your congressman. The second example being the worst one. And as for spelling, don't get me started on that.

[fineleg]

The second example being the worst one. And as for spelling, don't get me started on that.

You mean you actually spell it as "colour" and say that is right :haha: ps: just kidding, all these variations are interesting.