Are you ready for the digital TV switch-over?
April 10th, 2008 by Scot Drew
What’s so special about February 17, 2009?
This is the day when all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States (you know, pretty much all the ones you watch) will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. This is both good news and bad news. You want the bad news first?
No. Why would I want the bad news first? Are you just mean or something? Gimme the sweet, sweet good news.
Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality AND provide additional channels. Woot!
Nice. Now I’m ready for the bad news. Sock it to me.
You MAY need a converter box to continue enjoying TV. MAY. Read on:
Do you rely on an antenna (outside antenna or rabbit ears) to receive over-the-air signals?
- Nope. I’m all about getting every channel under the sun.
Yeah. Me, too. You’re good to go, chief!
- Yes, I use rabbit ears. Why pay the cable company for something I can get for free? What am I, daft?
Sorry, I’m not familiar with British slang, but I totally know what you mean. You’ll need a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. This will receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on your analog TV.
Do you mean I have to buy yet another electronic thingamajig?
Yes but no.
Don’t play games with me, Mister Bloggypants. Which is it?
You do have to buy a converter, BUT the government is giving you the money!
Seriously?
Indeed. Just get your $40 coupon right here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/
Thanks! You’ve been awesome.
I do what I can.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
LOL!
May 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Even better Mr. Bloggypants is that you don’t have to wait until February of 2009 to start using the HDTV converter box if you get it now. You can take advantage of the HDTV broadcast signals that may already be available in your area today.