What is really up with hd tv and feb 2009. Do i really have to buy a new tv?

Question

What is really up with hd tv and feb 2009. Do i really have to buy a new tv?

Answer 1

No, you don't have to buy a new TV unless you want to.  Only Over The Air (OTA) viewers will affected. People who subscribe to cable or satellite will not be affected immediately as the cable box or satellite receiver will convert the signals to analog as they do now.

On February 17, 2009, all US TV broadcasters are required to turn off their older analog transmitters and be exclusively digital.

OTA viewers will need to either upgrade to a digital TV or purchase a digital converter box. Converter boxes are targeted to be on retailers' shelves by the end of March 2008 and are expected to be in the $40 - $70 range. The government is offering coupons to consumers to help with the cost of the converter boxes. You may apply for a coupon here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ .

There are some advantages to using the OTA digital broadcasts. First, it's free. All you must do is put up an antenna. Second, there are features in the OTA digital signal, like surround sound, other languages, and sub channels that may not be passed along by cable systems and satellite providers until they upgrade their systems.

If you wish to have a TV industry professional speak to your community group free of charge about the transition, contact the National Association of Broadcasters Speaker's Bureau at [phone] . You can also find information at http://www.DTVAnswers.com .

Answer 2

no you dont, unless you use the "rabbit ears".  if you have cable / satellite, youre fine.  for example, if you bought a new tv without the "built in tuner" (or have an old one without) you would not receive "over the air" channels.  if you hook that same tv up to cable, itll work just fine.

Answer 3

In Feb. 2009, all analog broadcasts will cease.  

You will not need a new TV, at least it is not required.  If you have satellite television or digital cable w/ a cable box, those are digital tuners and already convert the digital signal into analog signals.  

If you do not have satellite television or digital cable, digital to analog set top boxes are now being sold that will convert the digital signal to analog for those older televisions.  

You can read more here: http://www.dtv2009.gov or http://www.dtvanswers.com

If you do decide to go with a new television, you may want to check out digitaldealz.net, I just bought a Samsung HDTV from them for a great price.  

Good luck!

Answer 4

If you have cable or satellite the answer is no.

If you use an indoor or outdoor TV antenna you may need a converter if your TV does not include an ATSC tuner which all newer TV sets have.

To apply for a converter box discount coupon or two from the US government visit http://www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009.  That web site or phone number will give you more answers about why this is necessary.

And it is digital TV not necessarily HDTV but all HDTV is digital.  A dislike that the consumer education shown on those 30 minute spots only shows the HDTV widescreen that confuses so many people as to what this is about.