Say goodbye to your old TV

[RecycleMichael]

Per KOTV...

Clock Ticks For Analog TVs As Digital Transmission LoomsAP - 3/12/2007 9:09 PM -

WASHINGTON (AP) -- (M) millions of T-Vs will be rendered obsolete at midnight on February 17th, 2009, unless owners buy a digital converter box. The reason: a government mandate for broadcasters to convert their signals from old-style analog to new-style digital.

No one knows how much these boxes, which have yet to be produced, will cost. But the government will help people pay for them, at least until the money runs out. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration says every household, regardless of whether it needs a box, will be eligible to receive two coupons worth 40 dollars each that can be used to buy two converter boxes. The coupons must be requested between January first, 2008 and March 31st, 2009.

The massive conversion is designed to make better use of the public airwaves. Digital broadcast signals take up less spectrum.

[sgrizzle]

be nice to know if it is $40 off of what...

[citizen72]

Oh, the changing times.

[AMP]

Now what is this about?

Sounds like another Bush idea to make all his friends even more money.

[AMP]

Glad I have not watched TV in the past couple of years.  Gave up watching it due to the fact there is little or nothing that I am interested in that they broadcast be it in Digital or Analog.  

The format is much less an attraction if there is lame content.

[BKDotCom]

Once again, this only affects TVs that only receive their signal via rabbit ears / over-the-air.

As of March 1st, all TVs over 13" are required to come with a digital tuner.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by AMP

Now what is this about?

Sounds like another Bush idea to make all his friends even more money.

Not a bush idea, an FCC idea long in the making. The current NTSC/OTA standards needed a revision for one. It's like if everyone still used AM-only radios.

However, the main reason is that the frequencies currently used by radio and TV are capable of very high-speed cellular and data networks. The space that was licensed for one tv station could be parted out into smaller ranges and sold to thousands of people.

This is all long-term benefit, short term bad, stuff.

[AMP]

I get all my TV over the conventional Free Air Antenna.  That is if I ever turn on the TV which is seldom.  

Have not had cable in 15 years, and have never had a dish.  

I still don't have a DVD player or a VHS, I used to own a Sony Beta tape player but it got stolen around 10 years ago.

Guess I am not much into TV stuff.  Most we do today is digital with hand held cameras and uploaded onto You Tube.  I probably watch a couple of hours of You Tube vids a week.  

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by AMP

I get all my TV over the conventional Free Air Antenna.  That is if I ever turn on the TV which is seldom.  

Have not had cable in 15 years, and have never had a dish.  

I still don't have a DVD player or a VHS, I used to own a Sony Beta tape player but it got stolen around 10 years ago.

Guess I am not much into TV stuff.  Most we do today is digital with hand held cameras and uploaded onto You Tube.  I probably watch a couple of hours of You Tube vids a week.  

WOW u r so kewl!

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by AMP

I get all my TV over the conventional Free Air Antenna.  That is if I ever turn on the TV which is seldom.  

Have not had cable in 15 years, and have never had a dish.  

I still don't have a DVD player or a VHS, I used to own a Sony Beta tape player but it got stolen around 10 years ago.

Guess I am not much into TV stuff.  Most we do today is digital with hand held cameras and uploaded onto You Tube.  I probably watch a couple of hours of You Tube vids a week.  

I think you may be my antithesis.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by AMP

I get all my TV over the conventional Free Air Antenna.  That is if I ever turn on the TV which is seldom.  

Have not had cable in 15 years, and have never had a dish.  

I still don't have a DVD player or a VHS

Same here for me AMP, I have 2 TVs both with "rabbit ears."  I had cable yanked out about 10 years ago; I figure I have saved at least $5,500 and counting since then because of no TV bills.  I have never had a dish either and I don't want one of those ugly things hanging off of my house.  I do have VHS, but I still haven't bought a DVD, and I have never owned or desired to own that biggest all-time nuisance invention, the cell phone.

I started a topic on this digital TV nonsense several months ago, search "digital television" in the archives.  My latest TV, a 32" flat tube CRT Panasonic, is only 2 years old.  It is a perfectly fine TV with great picture, and should last at least another 10 years.  I have no intention of trashing it; the little 13" in my bedroom may go to the dump as I only paid $60 for it at Target.

As I understand it, the converter boxes/antennas for analog TVs are supposed to cost around $50.  The government is supposed to provide at least 1 $40 coupon to households that still get all TV exclusively from over-the-air broadcast, like myself.  For those with cable or dish, the change is supposedly seamless and older TVs should be fine.  The number of discount coupons a household receives is based on TVs and # of residents.  (I think the max is 2 per household.)  Approximately 20% of all U.S. households rely solely on over-the-air broadcast TV.  Somebody better get their butts in gear, get those converters on the market, and distribute the purchase coupons, posthaste.  I see a big public outcry and hassle in the making.

[Conan71]

Interesting.  

I got one of those $40 Home Depot special AC/DC TV, AM/FM, Weather radio units as an Xmas gift for my sailboat.   So I guess that means I won't be able to use the TV part after Feb. 17, 2009, Yes?  

Of course for $40, I'll be surprised if any of the functions still work at that time.[]

[Hawkins]

I see a huge rise in Cable TV subscriptions.

Bundled with Internet.

With phone servie thrown in for 9.99

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Hawkins

I see a huge rise in Cable TV subscriptions.

Bundled with Internet.

With phone servie thrown in for 9.99

I'm already there...

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Interesting.  

I got one of those $40 Home Depot special AC/DC TV, AM/FM, Weather radio units as an Xmas gift for my sailboat.   So I guess that means I won't be able to use the TV part after Feb. 17, 2009, Yes?  

Yup.