Are You Ready For the Switch? all you'll see is static

[XMEN Iceman]

Are You Ready For the Switch?

If you don't already own a digital TV or converter, all you'll see is static on Feb. 17, 2009, because of a government mandate requiring stations to broadcast in digital.

By Marc D. Allan Special to The Washington Post Sunday, January 7, 2007

You may have heard about upcoming changes in broadcasting -- that Congress passed a law requiring broadcasters to switch from analog to digital signals by Feb. 17, 2009 -- but you might not have paid attention because 2009 is so far away.

Even with two years until that deadline, many people are already preparing for the digital switch by purchasing a new television: 11.4 million digital TVs were sold in the United States in 2005, with about 19.7 million digital sets purchased in 2006. And January is a popular month for TV sales, thanks in no small part to the Super Bowl, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

Many of these are for high-definition TV sets -- just one form of digital television. HDTV offers a wide-screen picture with far more detail and clarity than analog TV sets can provide. To view programming in high definition, you'll need an HDTV set with an HD tuner or a cable box from your cable or satellite provider.

HDTV "is like flying first class," said Jim Krause, an Indiana University professor who studies developments in television technology. "Once you fly first class, you never want to go back to coach."

If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you most likely have the equipment you need to receive a digital signal.

But if you don't want to pay for that service and you don't want to buy a digital television by 2009, you have another option. Households that watch free, over-the air television -- and there were about 20 million such homes as of 2005 -- can purchase an digital-to-analog converter box. (Analog refers to information transmitted via radio frequency waves, while digital signals send information encoded as a series of zeroes and ones.)

The boxes, currently being developed, are expected to cost about $50 when they debut later this year, and the federal government has mandated that at least $990 million be set aside to help subsidize the purchase of the converters. Every household will be eligible for up to two coupons worth $40 each to enable their analog sets to receive digital pictures. And with the signal coming over the air, TV will remain free.

"Some of the best picture reception you can get is over the air in Washington," said Bary Maddox, who owns Graffiti Audio-Video stores in the District and Bethesda. "Most people don't know that. There's no reason to get rid of your antenna."

Why is this change occurring?

• Digital television gives broadcasters the ability to use bandwidth more efficiently. Essentially, that means one station can broadcast multiple channels. More channels, more advertising. More advertising, more ad dollars. And for consumers, more channels, more choices.

• Digital television also frees up a portion of the broadcasting spectrum for police, fire and other public safety officials to use.

• And digital picture and sound quality is far superior to analog. TV viewers have lived with the same broadcast standards since 1941, Krause said. Digital TV still isn't as good as what you get in most movie theaters, he said, but it's much closer.

As promising as the new technology is, pollsters say many of us remain completely uninformed about the switch to digital.

You can get more information from several resources:

The Federal Communications Commission has set up a Web site, http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html, to answer questions, and a spokesman said the government will work with consumer electronics groups to spread the word about the change. In addition, the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act includes $5 million for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct a consumer-education campaign.

Separate FAQs are available at the NTIA Web site, http://www.ntia.doc.gov, and you also can get information from 888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322).

The Move to Digital: How to Prepare

IF YOUR TV IS: Analog

AND YOU GET YOUR PROGRAMMING: Over the air, for free

THE LEAST YOU'LL NEED BY FEBRUARY 2009 IS: An analog-to-digital converter box.*

AND YOU GET YOUR PROGRAMMING: From a cable/satellite provider

THE LEAST YOU'LL NEED BY FEBRUARY 2009 IS: Call your provider and ask.

AND YOU CAN MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE BY: Buying a digital set, which costs from several hundred to many thousands of dollars. All TVs 13 inches or larger now sold in the U.S. are equipped with digital tuners.

- - -

IF YOUR TV IS: Digital

AND YOU GET YOUR PROGRAMMING: From a cable/satellite provider

THE LEAST YOU'LL NEED BY FEBRUARY 2009 IS: Congratulations. You're ready to go!

AND YOU CAN MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE BY: Upgrading to a system that gives you more channels.

*Starting in 2008, eligible households can request up to two $40 coupons for these converters. FOR DETAILS, VISIT www.ntia.doc.gov OR CALL 1-888-225-5322

SOURCE: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...0200771_pf.html

(And a comment from AVS Senior Member Brian Conrad)

"Wow, I can't believe how this guy has it backwards!

You want a digital to analog box not an analog to digital box. It shows how confusing this is even to tech authors.
I wanted to post a comment with the correction but the WP requires registration."

[Spinning Hat]

Yeah.. it sucks, this whole transition, but if the picture is better OK.. I guess I'll have to start saving up for that HDTV I've been wanting!

[Jester]

video only! I got a smokin deal on my tv no payments no interest until 2008