Here in the U.S…many Lovers of Technology, Electronics Accessories and Home Entertainment will probably want February 17, 2009 to be a National Holiday. That is when all Television Stations in the U.S. will start to broadcast in Digital Format only, especially since the Government is going to help us all convert.

The New Digital Format has been the main focus pitch of Cable and Satellite T.V. Companies, News Stations, and Television Manufacturers for the last few years, so there is not much surprise of the news other than, “Is that happening already?”

Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that offers the consumer, better picture, better sound quality, multiple programing choices, and interactivity.

Consumer Alert:

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.

Analog TVs Will Need Additional Equipment to Receive Over-the-air Television When the DTV Transition Ends

Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and “rabbit ears”) to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

Set-top Converter Box: This unit sits on top of the viewer’s analog TV, receives the Digital TV signal, converts it to an analog signal, and then sends that signal on to the analog TV. (dtv.gov)

So will I be able to get anything at all on the old set that I have in the garage or basement?

No ! You will not. Give it a proper burial, and a thank you for years of service, and let your spouse know that ..”we MUST shop for a new T.V. or we won’t be able to view any of your favorite programs.” (Well…that’s not exactly true)

 

• Analog T.V’s will require a converter box to pick up the new digital signals over the airwaves, however, should continue to work as they always have with existing cable or satellite connects..as well as DVD Players, Gaming Consoles, VCR’s, or other existing products.

• Cable subscribers may need new DTV equipment (which most of us already have) to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable provider what you will need and when.

• Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to receive and view high definition digital programming. You should ask your satellite company what you will need and when.

So how do I get a converter for that old set in the basement?

The National Converter Box Coupon Program

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/dtv/dtvcoupon.html.

<–more–>

For a brochure explaining the basics of the Coupon Program, click here. (PDF 245 Kb)
[Folleto en español (PDF 245 Kb)]

The government only requires information necessary to mail coupons: name, household address and number of coupons needed (maximum of 2). Applications will be made available beginning in 2008.

Coupons will expire 90 days after they are issued.

As of the time of this post, I could not find any applications online anywhere…most of the government sites say, “..early 2008″. (Hey what do you want…it’s the government)

<Edited 1/2/2008>

Ladies and Gentlemen The program has been launched. Here is the link to the U.S. Digital T.V. Converter Voucher Program :

https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx

Most of us are already either completely digital of at least digital ready just by having cable or satellite tv. If you have purchased a new tv in the last few years…the odds are that it is digital ready, and you will not be affected.

For those of us who were just looking for a “valid” excuse to buy a new flat screen, (like myself), we have compiled a complete store from Amazon of DTV’s, HDTV’s, Flat Screens and Plasmas at the best prices online, with product descriptions and photos, editorial reviews, and customer feedback for you to window shop, purchase, or bookmark so that you may show and tell your significant other, “See honey..this is what we need, and we have to get it now”

All HDTV /Plasma Shop

 

Additional Information from dtv.gov :

Digital television Quality Levels

There are many quality levels of digital television programming. The most common are:

• Standard Definition TV (SDTV) - SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.

• Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) - EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.

• High Definition TV (HDTV) - HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of digital TV.)

Shop for HDTV’s / Plasma Screens

Shop for Electronic Dance Music & Accessories

For more information go to :

www.dtv.gov

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html