On February 17, 2009, the transition from analog tuner to digital television will take place. All broadcast television in the US will stop broadcasting on analog airways (i.e. televisions with outside antennas or “bunny ears? and begin for those whose televisions are digital.
If you cannot determine whether your television set or other television equipment contains a digital tuner, you are advised to check your equipment for the manufacturer name and model number, and then contact your consumer electronics retailer, or the manufacturer, to determine whether it contains a digital tuner.
So what if you decided to keep your analog television, what can you do? There are three possible options to choose from. First a converter box can be purchased. All US households are eligible to request from the government two coupons worth $40 each to purchase 2 digital analog converter boxes. These coupons can be requested by going online at www.DTV2009.gov, or calling -888-DVT-2009, or mailing to PO BOX 2000 Portland, OR 97208.
The request for these coupons must be done between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2009, if a coupon is not attained then converter boxes can be purchased for about $40 to $80. A second option is to buy a television with a digital tuner. The last option is to sign up for cable, satellite or other pay services. To learn more about the digital television transition, go www.DTVTransition.org for more information. |
