JohnRich 4 #1 December 17, 2007 In February, 2009, all TV signals will be converted to digital format. If you have an analog TV, you will need a converter box to continue watching TV using the new signals. The government will begin issuing coupons next month, good for $40 off on a converter box, to help the public transition to the new signals. Get yours now. Details: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html Question: How do you find out if your TV is analog or digital? I receive local channels with old-fashioned rabbit ears. Does that mean I'll need a converter box? I also have satellite TV for all other channels, and I understand that the satellite TV company will take care of this for me for those channels. Correct? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #2 December 17, 2007 If your television is a CRT (big, heavy, thick, ugly thing) then in all likelihood, it's analog. If it only has coax or RCA connections on the back, it's analog. If you're using "good ol' fashioned rabbit ears," it's analog. Not all satellite providers are managing this, but the big names are doing it for you (Dishnet, etc). Be aware, it's very possible that by then, your satellite/cable provider may well be offering your local channels over sat/cable/fiber as well. IMO, the coupons are BS. There are several converters for 50.00 available now, and they are only getting cheaper. I wonder how many people realize that the picture looks like crap compared to a dig image? DTV and HDTV aren't the same thing, but most broadcasters are taking advantage of the gov grants to upgrade to HD broadcast at the same time, so the image on the crappy, older TVs as seen in this brochure, will have a worse picture after 2/17/09 than they do now, assuming that these old energy-eating boat anchors are still working at that time.If you can make it to NAB, I'm speaking on this very subject. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #3 December 17, 2007 QuoteIf your television is a CRT (big, heavy, thick, ugly thing) then in all likelihood, it's analog. If it only has coax or RCA connections on the back, it's analog. If you're using "good ol' fashioned rabbit ears," it's analog. That would be mine. It's about 15 years old. Quote...by then, your satellite/cable provider may well be offering your local channels over sat/cable/fiber as well. They do that now, but charge an extra $10 per month for it. I prefer to save the money, and use rabbit ears. QuoteIMO, the coupons are BS. There are several converters for 50.00 available now, and they are only getting cheaper. Hey, if can save me enough money to make two jumps, I'm in! QuoteI wonder how many people realize that the picture looks like crap compared to a dig image? So, will a digital signal run through a converter box to an analog TV produce a better image, or will it be the same as before? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #4 December 17, 2007 Quote I wonder how many people realize that the picture looks like crap compared to a dig image? DTV and HDTV aren't the same thing, but most broadcasters are taking advantage of the gov grants to upgrade to HD broadcast at the same time, so the image on the crappy, older TVs as seen in this brochure, will have a worse picture after 2/17/09 than they do now, assuming that these old energy-eating boat anchors are still working at that time. I certainly hope my CRT HD-monitor is still working. I think it has a better picture than most of the flatscreens I've seen, even if it does weigh a ton. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #5 December 17, 2007 Quote IMO, the coupons are BS. There are several converters for 50.00 available now, and they are only getting cheaper. Absolutely! Since when did television become a necessity like food and shelter, that must be subsidized by the govt???I bought a Samsung HDTV tuner back in March that has composite/component/s-video/HDMI/RF outputs, so it could be used with any analog set as a converter. I have the DVI plugged into a 37" 1080p monitor. I get about 15 different DTV channels with an ordinary antenna. "CSI Miami" is visually stunning, as are many PBS shows."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #6 December 17, 2007 Quote Absolutely! Since when did television become a necessity like food and shelter, that must be subsidized by the govt??? You'll get no argument from me, but the EBS is carried over television, thus necessitating subsidized converters for those that can't afford them. Dave, your HD CRT will probably require a converter. The quality of that converter (read "how many $$ you spend on it") will determine the quality or lack thereof, of your picture. If you're already using a cable box sending HD, then you've likely got nothing to be concerned about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
