After The Digital TV Switch You Do Not Need Cable Or Satellite
On Febuary 20th, 2009 most TV stations will be required to change from an analog to digital signal which will require some changes who receive a TV signal via antenna. With all of the infomercials which address this subject, it is hard to believe that some folks are still confused. According to Consumer Reports some 25% of people believe that they will need cable or satillete to watch TV after the change.
Over at the Consumerist they provided a simple to understand article which states:
Here’s what you need to know about the digital TV switch:
If you USE AN ANTENNA to watch TV and your TV is not digital you may need to buy a converter box that will make your antenna work.
You do not need to buy a HDTV. You do not need to get cable. You do not need to get digital cable. You do not need a satellite. You do not need to get an HD satellite dish. You do not need to do anything at all unless you use an antenna to watch TV on an analog TV set.
Tell a friend.
If you use an antenna to watch TV, and would like a coupon to help offset the cost of the converter box: Go to www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-388-2009.
So pass this on to family and friends that may be confused about the change to digital TV.
Comments welcome.
One Comment
the oracle
December 23rd, 2008
at 8:29am
On one hand, stupidity abounds, on the other, the message has not always been clear, and if you look closely, consistent.
At first, the only thing in the story was the need for the change of TUNER. After a few people were vehemently complaining about their inability to get reception with a simple addition of an adapter box, suddenly the message began to include the possibility (should be PROBABILITY) that a new antenna would be needed.
Again, the government was either purposely duplicitous in, or simply completely ignorant of, the need to educate the people that digital is not MAGIC, and that things are not autoMAGICally better when someone ‘blesses’ a television with a digital tuner.
In areas like Los Angeles, the movement of the digital component of television to the UHF band means that atmospheric conditions are much more a part of the reception equation. Include the fact that the digital component of the television stations is cut to approximately 1/3 the output power, and you have some real difficulties. (The digital answer, an equation to establish Effected Radiated Power, was apparently worked out by a bean counter, not a scientist)
I have adequate reception at about 70 miles for most of the day, but in the early morning, and the early evening, the ionosphere wreaks havoc with signal propagation in the UHF spectrum, so I can’t get those same channels with digital tuning on the antenna used without problems at the other times of the day.
Digital anything is not magic, nor is it, in and of itself, necessarily better.