Question:

I'm confused about this whole tvs all going digital by 2009 and needing a special part, what's this all about?

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If have cable right now but not digital. I have a regular old television set. If I got digital cable now, would I be alright for next year? And do I need a new tv set? I was thinking of getting one anyways. Does it have to be a HDTV? And if you were going to get a flat screen, HDTV like around 36", what's a good one? THANKS!

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  1. Since you have cable - you do NOT need to buy digital cable or a new TV set (unless you want to).  There are many decent flat screen TVs out there around 36".  "Good" is relative - depends on your budget and how critical a TV viewer you are.  I recommend that you go to a large electronics retailer and view the different sets side-by-side and compare for yourself.  I wouldn't spend more than you can afford for a particular brand just because it's a "Sony" or a "Hitachi" (and so on - name the brand).  They're all going to say that they are the best.  That's just marketing and advertising.  Check the specifications and warranty of each model you're looking at.  Prices, specifications, overall picture quality, and warranties can vary widely among similar units.

    Background on the change to digital TV Broadcasts

    Effective February 17, 2009, all high power television stations in the U.S. will be required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast their TV signal in digital format (rather than the current analog NTSC format).  

    For those people who do NOT have cable, satellite, or DSL TV service (such as AT&T U-Verse), they will not be able to receive over-the-air (on antenna) broadcasts unless they have either a TV set that has a digital (ATSC) tuner, or a converter box that converts the digital broadcast to the older NTSC analog format.  You can obtain up to 2 coupons free from the government worth $40 each toward the purchase of these boxes if you need them.  The boxes are available from many places like Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, Circuit City, etc.

    If you have a TV with a digital ATSC tuner, or if you have cable, satellite or U-Verse, you will be fine.  You don't need to do anything.


  2. The change applies to full power free over the air TV stations in the United States.  Its purpose is to allow for a reduction in the number of channels from 2 through 69 to 2 through 51 so that the additional channels can be used for emergency services and wireless devices.

    What you need for cable can only be determined based on your favorite channels.  This change only makes the cable company acquire the local channels differently and possibly offer you local HDTV channels where the channels broadcast in HD.

    You as a cable subscriber do not NEED a new TV set but you can buy one if you want to upgrade to cable's HDTV service.  But again you do not NEED to buy a new TV set if you do not want to upgrade.

    I won't recommend HDTV sets since I do not own one.  I would refer you to Consumer Reports to allow you to make your own choices.

  3. Since you have cable already, the digital switchover in 2009 has no bearing on you whatsoever.

  4. If you have cable, you should be OK in 2009.  Cable and Satellite systems are supposed to support the old style analog TVs until about 2012.  Cable systems may start moving channels into the digital tier on their systems to "encourage" subscribers to buy digital service, this is their right.  However, they must supply at least the local stations to viewers in analog until 2012.

    The 2009 transition only affects Full Power Over The Air signals that you would receive from an antenna.

    If you want to upgrade to a new set, stick with the brand names (Toshiba, Sony, Mitsubishi, LG, etc.).  If you've never heard of a brand, chances are it will be difficult or imposable to get repaired.

  5. do you have the comcast cable box or cable because you need a digital boxs for just cable but you will be fine if you just have comcast cable you will be fine

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