Will non-HDTV's work in 2009 if I have DirecTV or the Dish or something else that is broadcasting in HD?

Question

I understand that TV's using "rabbit ears" won't work in 2009, but if I am a subscriber to a provider that is sending an HD signal, will my TV receive that picture correctly, or do I really need to go and buy all new TV's? Thanks!

Answer 1

Someone has feed you a lot of mis-information.

Almost all non-HDTVs will work just fine after the big change in Feb 2009.

That's because:

A.

The big change is only for over the air TV and has nothing to do with satellite or cable TV service.

B.

Even if you get TV over the air (OTA), all you need to do is connect a cheap converter box between your antenna and TV. The converter box receives the new digital TV broadcasts and converts them to the old analog type that older TVs understand.

The converter box I bought not only works with both sets of rabbit ears I tried but even picked up all the local digital stations using a 7" piece of wire as an antenna!

Direct TV and Dish satellite signals have always been digital. They just build a converter into the satellite receiver so you can watch them.

Digital TV signals (cable, satellite, and OTA), can be cheaply converted to the old analog type.

One last thing. The change is to digital over the air signals. There is no mandate that these signals be in HD.

All the "HD" means is that the signal has several times as much picture detail as what you can see with a DVD player. If you watch a "HD" signal on a non-HD TV, most of the picture information is thrown away and all you get is a DVD like quality picture.

Answer 2

If you are a subscriber to satellite or cable television then you do not need to worry about purchasing a converter box or HDTV television.  The broadcast from your satellite or cable television will broadcast HDTV to your television.  You will not need to upgrade or purchase a new television.