Ready for DTV? -- Slacker Check

[TStodden]

With little over 5 weeks until the official switch over to ATSC standard (aka
Digital TV or DTV), it's time for a refresher here.

At the stroke of Midnight, local time on February 17th, TV broadcast stations
(with the exception of low-power transmitters) are required to turn off their
analog signals & broadcast completely in digital. If you're currently have
cable OR satelite TV, YOU'RE OK! This only affects those who rely on free,
over-the-air TV.

If you haven't prepared for the switch over, you still have some time... but
some of your options may be closing fast. Here's what you can do.

1) Buy a DTV converter box -- This is the cheapest solution here as all you do
is connect the DTV converter box to your antenna & your TV (or your preferred
recording device). The converter boxes include a remote (usually a universal
type) to keep things easy.

HOWEVER, there's a may be a few issues that you'll have to deal with.

FIRST, the government's DTV converter box coupon program is tapped out. If you
haven't applied for your coupons earlier, you'll have to wait at least 6 weeks
for unused funds (from those who forgot to use their coupons & let them expire)
to return. This means that you won't have time to get $40 off the converter
boxes before the switch-over... so you'll have to pay full price for yours,
which will cost between $50 - $80 a piece.

SECOND, some locations may have a shortage of DTV converter boxes. This may get
worse as the switchover gets closer... So check everywhere!

Please be aware that different converter boxes have different features, which
affects the price, so look around.

2) Buy a DVD-Recorder (or VHS/DVD-combo or a DVR) with a digital (ATSC) tuner
-- This is a bit more expensive than buying just a converter box, but it'll have
all the features you want with a recorder. The only downside is that you'll
need to turn the recorder on to watch TV.

This will cost you at least $150 for a recorder.

3) Subscribe to Cable OR Satellite -- Cable & Satellite use a different method to
deliver broadcast to your TV & aren't affected by this switch over. Satellite TV
services are already running in digital (albeit, DVB... which is the European
standard) so there's no issues there. Cable services may require you to change
cable boxes (or add a cable box) as part of an upgrade, but that's for your
provider to deal with.

The downside here is that you're paying a monthly fee for TV (at least $20/mo.),
but it's something that most people don't mind since you're getting more
channels in exchange.

4) Buy a H/DTV -- This is the easiest, but most expensive option as all new TV's
have a digital (ATSC) tuner built-in. You can also choose to pick up an HDTV
(High Definition TV), which allows you to receive higher-quality broadcasts &
let you enjoy wide-screen DVD's. While you'll have to deal with LCD's, Plasma &
DLP (since the old CRT TV's are practically retired from the market), any of
those will do the trick... as long as you have the space for them.

This will cost you at least $200 for a decent size TV, but you can get some
smaller LCD DTV's (good for smaller areas, like the kitchen or a bedroom) for
around $150. However, the massive, high-end HDTV's can easily break the $1000
mark... The 100-inch-plus "Jumbotron"-class HDTV's can easily break the $10,000
mark (where your credit score drops 50 points or so just looking at one).


Please be aware that Low Power stations, like local broadcast TV & translator
stations are excluded from the switch-over as they only broadcast in a limited
area. These stations are usually include "-LP" in their station callsign to
denote "Low Power". However, these stations may already be broadcasting in
digital, so check with the station if you're unsure.

Just make sure that you're ready for the digital transition... or your TV will
become nothing more than a nice heavy paperweight, or a creative box for those
who like to tear things apart.

Writer's Note: This was written in a text editor with an 80-character margin line... which is a bit "force of habit".

[Roemello]

I haven't gotten over the air broadcasts since the early 90s I got cable and an HDTV, so haven't even payed attention to this whole deal... more than ready!

[KenseidenXL]

Got several HDTVs and ATSC/QAM capable DVDRs...plus two converter boxes...

[Diabolique]

I've had HDTV and everything set up for 1 1/2 years, so yep...totally ready here.

[Nakor]

There are only about 3 channels in the area you can pick up without cable anyway, here.

[Frong]

There are only about 3 channels in the area you can pick up without cable anyway, here.

Same here, I think. I'm pretty sure I've literally never gone without cable TV, and I sure as crap ain't gonna start now.

[soloist]

Not yet for me since there are still
two televisions in my home w-
hich are not compatible. B-
ut these two TV's need
not be anything mo-
re than 19 inche-
s and it does
not matte-
r if the-
y run
in:

720i

(either...)



I
hav-
e found
a sale on s-
uch televisions
for the low price of:

$188.99 (19 inch Coby 720i flat-screen TV)

No need for HDMI
ports or 1080p
resolution o-
n these t-
wo tel-
evis-
ion-
s.

(that's for the living room tvs... which we already have)

[NOA Imawario]

Yeah, I have cable so I'm all set.

I am amazed at some of the stories I am hearing about people who still have no clue this is coming even after warnings being given for over a YEAR now. There are going to be a lot of people going "Why isn't my TV working?" come Feb 17th.

[TStodden]

IPTV has gotten a bit annoying with the DTV conversion countdown, posted (& updated) every half-hour... as well as DTV mini's between major shows.

For those picking up an HDTV (in near future), consider getting one with 3-4 HDMI ports... just to "future proof" the purchase a bit.

[KenseidenXL]

If you were smarter, you'd do what I did and buy an AV Receiver with multiple HDMI ports as a hub. The, it makes no difference how many HDMI ports the TV has as long it has just 1. My main system is built around a Denon AVR-5308 (HDMI x7) and my gaming system is based on a Denon AVR-4208 (HDMI x4).