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Les' Stepmom
 IP: 4.226.108.151 Dec 22, 07 - 2:19 PM |
Off Topic's but IMPORTANT
Ladies I wouldn't normally ever post anything like this but I know how many of us just don't have those extra dollars. I for one will be effected by the change and I know that I can use the 40$ coupon. (If this gets deleted I understand) It’s 423 days and counting until the biggest single-day change in American television broadcasting. That’s the time left until American broadcasters switch their analog signals to digital ones and millions of TV screens go black. Those currently watching on digital sets won’t have their viewing interrupted. Neither will those subscribing to satellite or cable television. The federally mandated changeover to digital broadcasting on Feb. 17, 2009, will affect those Americans viewing over-the-air signals on their analog sets. The big question some TV viewers have: Do I have to buy a new TV when the switch to digital takes place Feb. 17, 2009? Short answer: No, but you might have to buy a set-top converter, depending on what kind of set you own and how you get your programming. Here’s how you might be affected. If you have an analog TV and get your signal over the air: You’ll need a set-top converter box to convert digital signals to analog ones that your set can display. How do you know if it’s analog? If your set is more than two years old and has a picture tube as opposed to a flat-screen, chances are it’s an analog set. The government will provide a limited number of $40 coupons to defray the cost of a digital converter, presently about $90-$100. Without a digital converter, your analog set will not pick up programming. If you have a digital television set, you’re good to go: Newer digital sets have built-in tuners. Older sets or those labeled “HDTV or digital ready” may need an external tuner. If you subscribe to a satellite TV service, you’re also good to go: Satellite TV uses digital signals. If yours feeds into a digital TV, you’ll see no change. If it feeds into an analog set, your satellite company must provide analog service through 2012. If you subscribe to a cable television service, ditto: If you’re already a digital television or high definition television subscriber, you’re set. If you have an analog set, your cable company, like satellite television companies, must provide analog service through 2012. However, an analog set can’t capture the full quality of a digital image, and there’s some question whether cable companies are obligated to provide more than local channels to their analog customers Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will start accepting requests for converter coupons. Under current guidelines, those applying will be limited to two coupons per household, good for 90 days, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Consumers can apply online, by toll-free number or by mail through March 31, 2009. For coupon information, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or 1-888-388-2009 or visit www.dtv.gov. |
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