It's happening on February 17, 2009 ..... make sure you are prepared!
At midnight on February 17, 2009, television services in the USA will go completely digital. The analog television signals that have been used for 60 years will be no more.
Any television sets that are not converted to digital when the switchover happens will no longer receive television broadcasts.
Any television sets that are not converted to digital when the switchover happens will no longer receive television broadcasts.
Why the switch to digital?
Digital television is much more efficient and adaptable than analog television. Therefore, the digital switchover will provide higher quality images, higher quality sound and more programming options.
The reason that there will be more programming options when the digital transition occurs is that digital broadcasts take up less bandwidth, therefore, more digital channels will be provided in the same space.
Digital broadcasters will also provide us with high-definition television (HDTV) services and other services such as interactivity and multimedia.
The reason that there will be more programming options when the digital transition occurs is that digital broadcasts take up less bandwidth, therefore, more digital channels will be provided in the same space.
Digital broadcasters will also provide us with high-definition television (HDTV) services and other services such as interactivity and multimedia.
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Which televisions will not work?
Older televisions will be unable to receive any television signals unless they are connected to a new type of set-top box, the digital to analog converter (see below).
All televisions that are 35 inches plus and were manufactured from July 2005 onwards have built-in digital television (DTV) tuners. Televisions that are 25 inches plus have included DTV tuners since March 2006 and since last March, all televisions, even those as small as 5 inches have been made with DTV tuners built in.
All televisions that are 35 inches plus and were manufactured from July 2005 onwards have built-in digital television (DTV) tuners. Televisions that are 25 inches plus have included DTV tuners since March 2006 and since last March, all televisions, even those as small as 5 inches have been made with DTV tuners built in.
How do you know if your television is digital ready?
A digital television should have either DTV, SDTV, EDTV, HDTV or ATSC on it somewhere. All others will need a converter box (details are further below).
Help spread the word with one of these funky Digital Switchover t-shirts!
Don't get left behind!
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What are your options?
If you watch television over the air, using an antenna or 'rabbit ears', you will need to pursue one of the following options:
OPTION 1 - Keep your existing analog television and buy a digital TV converter box.
OPTION 2 - Connect to cable or satellite television.
or ...
OPTION 3 - Buy a television with a digital tuner.
OPTION 1 - Keep your existing analog television and buy a digital TV converter box.
OPTION 2 - Connect to cable or satellite television.
or ...
OPTION 3 - Buy a television with a digital tuner.
OPTION 1 - Keep your existing analog television and buy a digital tv converter box
What is a digital tv converter box?
A digital TV converter box connects to a conventional analog television set thus allowing it to receive digital broadcasts. It is about the same size as a cable box and is also referred to as 'a digital-to-analog converter box', 'a set-top converter box' or 'a digital TV adapter'.
How much do digital tv converter boxes cost?
They cost around $60 but because the government is providing coupons worth $40 off the cost of a converter box, the customer will only have to pay around $20. Each US household is entitled to two coupons that can be used toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
How do I get a government issued coupon?
The government will make coupons available to US households that request them from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. The coupons only last for 90 days so make sure that you don't let them expire. All details can be found at www.dtv2009.gov.
A digital TV converter box connects to a conventional analog television set thus allowing it to receive digital broadcasts. It is about the same size as a cable box and is also referred to as 'a digital-to-analog converter box', 'a set-top converter box' or 'a digital TV adapter'.
How much do digital tv converter boxes cost?
They cost around $60 but because the government is providing coupons worth $40 off the cost of a converter box, the customer will only have to pay around $20. Each US household is entitled to two coupons that can be used toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
How do I get a government issued coupon?
The government will make coupons available to US households that request them from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. The coupons only last for 90 days so make sure that you don't let them expire. All details can be found at www.dtv2009.gov.
Digital TV Converter Boxes on Amazon...
Magnavox DTV Digital to Analog Converter
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010) 
RCA DTA800 Digital to Analog TV Converter Box
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
VGA to DVI Converter - Converts Analog VGA signal to Digital Signal for HDTV
Amazon Price: $131.90 (as of 01/05/2010)
OPTION 2 - Connect to cable or satellite television
Another option is to connect to cable or satellite TV and receive digital broadcasts this way.Which companies provide cable television in the USA?
Aldelphia Communications
Bright House Metworks
Cablevision
Charter Communications
Comcast
Mediacom Communications
Cox Communications
Time Warner Cable
Which companies provide satellite television in the USA?
DirecTV
DISH Network
GlobeCast WorldTV
VOOM
OPTION 3 - Buy a digital television
What type of television do I need to buy?
There are two types of television that you could buy, you could buy a digital television (DTV) or a high definition television (HDTV). Both are digital but DTVs are not high definition, therefore, both will work after February 17, 2009.
Are all televisions on the market now digital?
From March 1, 2007, all televisions imported into the US or shipped in from another state must contain a digital tuner. Stores may continue to sell analog televisions from existing inventories but they must prominently display on or near the analog television a Consumer Alert label stating that the television includes an analog broadcast tuner only.
There are two types of television that you could buy, you could buy a digital television (DTV) or a high definition television (HDTV). Both are digital but DTVs are not high definition, therefore, both will work after February 17, 2009.
Are all televisions on the market now digital?
From March 1, 2007, all televisions imported into the US or shipped in from another state must contain a digital tuner. Stores may continue to sell analog televisions from existing inventories but they must prominently display on or near the analog television a Consumer Alert label stating that the television includes an analog broadcast tuner only.
Digital televisions on Amazon...
Samsung LNT1953H 19-Inch LCD HDTV
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-26S3000 26-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
Samsung LNT3242H 32-Inch LCD HDTV
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
Are you prepared for the digital switchover?
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- AcidDoc AcidDoc Sep 4, 2008 @ 11:29 am
- I new nothing of this digital switcher. Will it effect old black and white TV's?
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- richgerman richgerman Jun 25, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
- thanks for informing us! shining stars!
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- tdove tdove Mar 24, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
- Thanks. I was really worried about this until your lens put my mind at ease. 5*. Thanks for visiting my lens Foot Tattoos.
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- Lorene Lorene Mar 21, 2008 @ 6:43 am
- Excellent information. Thanks for getting the word out.
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
- Great info!
A Fairy Tale Wolf was checking out your lens and liked it so well that he is sending you a virtual cup of coffee to hang on your wall.
Thank you for visiting Love Actually.
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- WhitneyWells WhitneyWells Mar 19, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
- Very good lens, well put together! Five Stars!
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- riff999 riff999 Mar 19, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
- have to ask my husband about this - thanks for the heads up. 5*
All the best
~Jane
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Mar 18, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
- Terrific lens. I know I'll be prepared 'cause my hubby is on top of all electronics for our household. Thanks for visiting Jaguar Julie Lensography. 5 stars!
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- Clarissa789 Clarissa789 Mar 18, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
- Personally I would go digital as soon as possible because I would like to know that everything is working properly and guard against any last minute hitches! On the other hand, you are right about tv prices dropping so it could be wise to hold out for a great deal!
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- poddys poddys Mar 17, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
- So do you think it's best to change tv now, or wait until closer to the date? With tv prices dropping rapidly over the last year, and a huge sales boom coming around Christmas with the switchover imminent, I have a feeling there will be some great discounts available. Plus technology is changing all the time.
Nice lens too. And a subject of growing concern for many of us with older tv's.
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by Clarissa789
Hi I'm Clare. I'm a huge sports fan amongst other things. There's not much that doesn't interest me really. I'm always seeking to learn new things.... (more)
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