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On February 17, 2009 Your TV May Stop Receiving Television Programming!
What you need to know:
TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.
However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.
- Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
- Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.
How to obtain a TV Converter Box Coupon:
The National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), a federal agency, will start "The TV Converter Box Coupon Program" In January 2008
Each household may apply for two coupons, each worth $40 (coupon-eligible converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 - $70 and will be available at electronics stores and online retailers).
Consumers can apply to the NTIA through www.dtv.gov, toll free (888) 388-2009 or by mail.
Coupons will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and distribution will start in early spring of 2008. This will include retail information where converter boxes are available for purchase within a five mile radius of recipients' homes.
Coupons will expire after 90 days from the date that they were issued.
How to obtain an HD television:
Upgrading to HDTV
HDTV offers vast improvements in picture quality and sound compared to today's analog TV. Receiving and watching HDTV at home is easy. There are two
steps to getting HDTV:
- Get an HDTV set
- Get the programming
Get an HDTV set
The first step is getting the right TV set. Your choices include an integrated HDTV set with or without a digital tuner, or you may go with an "HD-Ready" set that requires an additional external HD receiver.
Integrated HDTV: An all-in-one solution that features a TV set with a high-definition screen and an integrated digital tuner. Sets with integrated tuners are ready to plug-and-play. Simply connect an antenna and you're ready to watch free local digital and HD broadcasts with no subscription.
Integrated HDTV with Digital Cable Ready: In addition to the above, this type of set features a built-in digital cable tuner for receiving digital and HD programming from your cable provider without the need for a separate cable set-top box. With this plug-and-play solution, you can simply plug the HDTV directly to your cable outlet and receive HD programming without a set-top box. A CableCARD, obtained from your cable provider is necessary to unlock scrambled programming. If you want Video-On-Demand or other premium "two-way" services, you still need a digital set-top box.
HD Ready set: Offers the same picture quality as an integrated set but requires an external tuner or set-top box to receive and display HD programming. Depending on how you receive your TV programming, you will need an HDTV tuner (for local broadcasts), an HD cable set-top box, or an HD satellite set-top box. This "component" solution works well for those who already rely on a set-top box for certain cable features (like Video-on-Demand) or for satellite service.
Programming
You have three basic ways of receiving HDTV programming: over-the-air broadcasts, cable and/or satellite.
Over-The-Air: These broadcasts are free from your local stations. You'll need an indoor or outdoor antenna (www.antennaweb.org) depending on your location.
Cable: Most cable operators provide optional HD programming, including many of your local stations.
Satellite: Like cable, satellite offers optional HD programming and, in many markets, includes HD feeds from local television stations.
To find out if your favorite shows are available in HD, visit www.titantv.com for a complete list of local and national HDTV programming.
Depending on which HDTV set you choose (Integrated HDTV, Integrated HDTV with Digital Cable Ready or HD Ready) and which programming method you prefer (Over-The-Air, Cable or Satellite) additional equipment may be required, such as a set-top box, antenna or satellite dish.
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