What will happen in two years or so when the switch is made to HDTV?
Meadowlark asked:
I have three tv sets that are non high def. What will I have to do when the switch is made to hdtv by the networks? I heard something about a converter having to purchase a converter? If so will they be expensive?
I do have one hdtv set and I also love it. I was just wondering if my other three tvs would be functional. I don’t want to have to replace these.
I have three tv sets that are non high def. What will I have to do when the switch is made to hdtv by the networks? I heard something about a converter having to purchase a converter? If so will they be expensive?
I do have one hdtv set and I also love it. I was just wondering if my other three tvs would be functional. I don’t want to have to replace these.
Yes, you will have to buy a converter. I’m not sure how much they will be, but I know that the government will be subsidizing this cost with a rebate, since they are forcing the crossover to HD. Really, though you should just get an HDTV… they are getting so cheap now, and you will love it once you have it! The difference is amazing!
you have to buy a converter but eventually they will drop down, as they did with computers (compared to when they first came out), but high defs are cheap so
No you WONT have to buy a converter as long as you have Cable/DirectTV/etc The converter is for regular broadcast channels
You will still be able to use your TVs. At Midnight on February 17, 2009, most analog Over The Air (OTA) broadcasting will end in the US. Satellite is not effected. Cable is under mandate to keep providing analog versions of the local OTA or provide converter boxes, until at least 2012. What they do with the rest of the analog channels they provide is up to them. The OTA replacement is not HDTV. It is digital TV. All HDTV is digital, not all digital is HDTV. Many of these stations are already broadcasting. In January of 2008, each household can apply for up to two coupons worth $40 off the price of digital to analog converter boxes. The boxes are expected to cost around $60 before the coupon. You will need one for every analog device you have with a tuner-TVs, VCRs Etc, if you want to continue to use them to receive OTA TV. Most of the OTA digital is on UHF channels which don’t have as great a range as VHF on which most of the present analiog OTA resides. So, you may have to upgrade your antenna. Digital or HDTV antennas are a marketing gimmick. What you need is an antenna with gioog UHF performance. See the links to the FCC site and antenna related sites below.
Update
There is no government rebate. You have to get the Govt. coupons before you buy the converters. And, yes, you can use your old sets, but only with the converters.
You’ll need convertor boxes which can be purchased at radio shack and the like for about $50 keep your receipt as you can then get a rebate from the govt. of $40 for each purchase.
for more info