Will You Find Yourself Without TV Access Come 2009? The Downside of TV’s Digital Switchover.

According to MIKE SNIDER with USA TODAY millions of TV viewers who are dependent on rooftop antennas are going to lose their signal when signals are turned off as the nation changes to digital TV.

The currently scheduled effective date for this change is Feb. 18, 2009. As of that date the nation’s broadcasters will use only digital signals meaning that all old analog channels ( used by at least 21 million Americans on a daily basis) will not be sending out any signals. In other words older TVs will not work unless they are hooked up to cable, satellite, or have an add-on digital tuner, which could be price prohibitive to lower income citizens. So what happens to the airwaves that the analog signals took up? They are not surprisingly being confiscated by the government to be auctioned off for billions of dollars, to other communication services. Of course, we all know that the government needs all of this extra income to finance their own personal wars against foreign countries who don’t want us there in the first place.

However, the hardship to the average consumer is not being considered. That is obvious when one considers that to date only 30 percent of
U.S. households own digital HDTV sets while 20 percent of households rely strictly on antennas to receive free over-the-air broadcasts.  This 20 percent represents approximately 20 million homes throughout the nation. In addition the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) believes that another 14.7 million homes have at least one antenna-powered TV.

Additionally, this will cause an unexpected expense for over 60 percent of consumers, some who are buying sale inventory at record lows not realizing that their new sets are not equipped with the required new technology, and that these new sets will require additional equipment or replacement in less than 18 months. This could result in consumer outrage and shortages when homeowners are suddenly faced with the dilemma of buying a new television set or going without.

To combat the anticipated response by consumers the government is offering discount coupons for purchases of add-on digital tuner boxes and the NAB plans to hit 200 cities over 18 months to inform consumers of the pending changes. However, it is a real fear among some groups representing the poor and elderly that these groups may well find themselves without the money for new equipment or the ability to access that equipment and will therefore be left without television access. This could in fact leave millions of Americans with TV sets that don’t work and not knowing what to do about it.

Will your TV be among those that will not function without add-on equipment? The answer is if you have a 35” or larger TV manufactured after July 2005 or a 25” or larger TV manufactured after March 2006 your unit should have a built-in digital TV tuner. All TVs manufactured after March of 2007 have this built-in converter. However, if your TV is older than that or is old inventory being dumped on the market your TV may not work unless it is hooked up to cable or satellite.

To make sure that a TV you purchase is digital ready make sure that they say Standard Definition Digital TV and/or Advanced Television Systems Committee tuner. If your TV does not have this stated on it you will soon be able to purchase Set-top boxes. The boxes are expected to include closed-captioning and V-chip features are expected to cost between $50 and $70. To help with the expense consumers can start, as of January 1, 2008, applying for up to two of the $40 coupons that can be used toward the purchase price, one coupon per converter. (For more information, call 888-388-2009). However, remember that if the TV is connected to cable or satellite you will not need any additional equipment.

Another important thing to note is that even though you are required to buy a HDTV you will not receive HD unless your TV is connected to a HDTV tuner.

So, good luck out there in TV land and be aware that taking advantage of the government coupons may save you money since once you get the add-on you won’t have to buy a new TV set and will still be able to watch your favorite football games or your soaps.

[tags]Digital TV, analog signal, digital signal, TV, HDTV, coupons, Standard definition, antennas, National Association of Broadcasters, Over-the-air, TV broadcasts, TV shows, Soaps, Football games, Advanced Televisions, Systems Committee, older TVs[/tags]