Are you Ready for the Analog to Digital TV Conversion Switch?
Moving From Analog to Digital
You may be wondering “What is this analog to digital tv switch and what do I need to do to get ready?”.
Will I Need to Get a Digital TV Converter?
This question is better answered by first listing those who DO NOT need to get a digital TV Converter:
- Those with cable TV service that converts to digital (via set-top box or other method).
- Those with satellite TV service.
- Those with a TV that has a built-in digital tuner and one of the above methods for receiving a digital signal.
Who does that leave behind? Essentially those without any of the above – meaning older analog TV users who use rabbit ears and don’t have cable or satellite service. One misconception is that you need to have an HDTV in order to get digital signals. This is simply not true. You need only have an SD (standard definition) model with a digital tuner.
I Need a Digital TV Conversion Box, now what?
The federal government was offering $40 coupon vouchers to help offset the cost of the $50 conversion boxes. However, this underfunded program ran out of money in early January of 2009.
Where Can I get a Digital Conversion Box?
The federal site has a list of online and big box retailers who are selling conversion boxes: Digital TV Converter Box Retailers. Make sure you get a legit one with the right specifications as pointed out in the above link.
Analog to Digital Discussion:
- Have you already started using a digital converter? How is it?
- If you missed out on the coupon are you going to hope the waiting list works out, or just buy a conversion box without a coupon?
- Are you using this switch as an opportunity to wean off of cable or satellite?
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I was thinking that this might be a good opportunity to get myself off of cable, depending on the clarity and channel selection on digital TV. Easier than ever these days with the Internet.
I applied for a coupon a couple of weeks ago, but am probably just going to go ahead and buy a box to try out here in a few days (half of the stations where I live are switching over Tuesday and none of them are waiting until June). My house already has a nice antenna on the roof to pick them up, but I’ve never used it.
I also think I’m going to try using this as a chance to get off of satellite. Even if I can’t pick anything up, I’ve been thinking about quitting the $50/month bill since there is so much available now between services like Hulu and ESPN360. Plus, Netflix now has unlimited streaming with the $9/month plan (I tried it out last night and the quality was stunning, but the growing selection for streaming is still a little thin on the good stuff).
I actually converted quite some time ago, so no worries here. I’ve heard rumors of the analog frequencies being used for the Internet — is this just me being technologically illiterate, or is that even possible?
I am ready and am curious to know how much they can save by the switch. I think most people are ready and with new TV’s costing less or people just using cable boxes, the country is ready to get rid of the old technology.
@Shaun: that’s actually the whole point of this switch over. They have already sold huge chunks of the bandwidth to companies that will be able to provide internet anywhere, now, or better phone service, or any number of things. In addition, this frees up more space for emergency signals, and communication.
I made the switch quite some time ago: 3.5 years ago. Had a roommate who had an HD-TV, and we have been getting digital signals here in Madison, WI for years. (the PBS used to have 5 separate broadcasts!)
The argument that there are people in rural areas that might not get emergency information is bump-kis in my opinion, because they still have radio. They still have weather-broadcasts, &c.
We don’t have cable or satellite and needed to get a box. We did it last year some time and had no problem getting a coupon or a box. The problems came after we hooked it up. Before the box we had 3 channels, one very good quality, 2 not so good. But they were always there.
After the box we had a ton of problems with reception. Yes, we have maybe 8-10 channels now and 2 24 hour weather channels. But they are not always there. Yes. We have the type of antenna needed to get better reception, but it doesn’t work all the time. Like on a cloudy morning, we lose PBS (the only thing my kids watch). Or on a rainy evening we lose most channels except 8 (CBS?) when we watch mostly PBS or NBC. On the plus side, we get Fox so we actually got to watch the Superbowl this year. Last year we kept switching back and forth and sometimes we could see the score through the fuzz.
We live in a rural area, 1 hour from Richmond and 1 hour from Hamptom Roads. I would think with 2 metropolitan areas near us we might get better reception. I also thought it might improve as more go fully to digital, maybe they will increase their signals. At first it felt like digital TV was stealing free TV from the rural poor. The signal does seem to be more reliable lately.
The worst part about the digital TV is that we lose reception when there is bad weather. You know, when you’d really want to watch the weather to see if there are any storm/tornado warnings. Yes, we can and do use the radio. But it’s nice to be able to see the satallite picture to see how much further the storm has to go.
Either way, this will not change what we are doing. We are still not going to pay for cable or satellite TV. It isn’t worth it to us to pay since we don’t watch a lot of TV. We made a bet to see who could go without it … it’s been 4 years now!
@Genna – very interesting to get some actual conversion box use feedback. Sounds a lot worse than what satellite subscribers complain about. Is your box on the approved vendor list?
@Allen – I’d like to see the technology behind how these UHF signals will result in broadband internet. I would think the wavelengths would only be downstream vs. both up and down. Anyone know how this is going to work?
@G.E. Miller:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_2008_wireless_spectrum_auction
best i can do for you, right now.
I live just outside of Toronto Ontario and I watch TV using a new HD box. We get about 15 stations, down from the 23 we use to get from the old system.
Many of the stations, including the weather are generally so pixalated that they are really unviewable. We use to get Fox with the old system and it no longer comes in.
It was easy to set up, although hard to find. We ended up buying a converter box in Houston Texas on our vacation last summer. They are still not available in Ontario yet, although we will also be going HD in the near future. It doesn’t look like Canada will be supporting the conversion like the US with a coupon program so we are on the hook for the entire cost.
Does anyone know if there is a way to boost the signal to possibly bring in the stations that we use to enjoy?
Hello, I have two Radio/Tv’s that I use every day to listen to TV. Are there converters for Radio/Tv’s or are there Radio/TV’s for sale or any coupons to buy these Radio/TV’s? Thank you,
Before mandatory analog to digital conversion received via rooftop of 2 story bldg ant. on top 10 foot conduit analog channels; 4,5,7,9,11,12,13,15,22, english & 55,56,57 spanish. All from Seattle or Tacoma WA
Now with old big VHF/UHF ant. on top 20 ft high conduit pole 48 db amp on pole and 10 db amp at brand new HDTV receive 4 digital channels 15-1,15-2,15-3,15-4. This is probably the best we can do.
Most people in my town and surrounding area have same problem or worse cause they don’t have two story buildings.
Those of us including my non-profit 600 seat theater have been advertizing for years on these channels which no longer reach our customers. Local Cable or Satelite does not carry local programming or commercials. This is serious to our already very fragil economy.
The amazing thing is I am starting to do streaming video on our theater web site for contributions to our theater and in cooperation with our high school string our own co-ax cable down our streets. This has turned me into a village hero
Hulu for free and other one time pay internet TV for less than a one time $50 keeps us entertained
We have also purchased FREE TO AIR Satellite such as “CoolSat” (Look up on internet.) boxes manufactured in foreign countries for less than $300.00 with which you can receive between 100 & 1300 channels from all over the world (not so good local) with no monthly charges. Interesting to watch Al Jaz
Loss of emergency news is most tragic. A possible Amber alert in a town 10 miles away last night was news to most of us when we learned about concern at church today from those of us than can still get one digital converted channel 5 news. Thence went to internet to get rest of story. Loss of coverage of Tsunamis, Storms, earthquakes, forest fires is serious. Radio stations do not have the ability to show real time situation maps like we used to get here on our harbor, During recent storms and earthqukes our generator and analog ant was only way for our peop;e to find out situation
One misconception is that you need to have an HDTV in order to get digital signals
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