Midnight February 17, 2009. Suddenly, Analog television stations across America go dark. Like 1960s sci-fi movies, but this is for real as all broadcasters switch from analog to 100% digital television. The promise is sharper, crisper images, more programming options and more needed bandwidth for emergency responders. Good stuff, but how will switching to digital television from analog television affect me and why should I care a year in advance?
The Government Digital Television Converter Box Program Created by Congress Is a Mess
Here's how it goes: For households who wish to continue using analog television sets (non digital television, non HDTV that only receive today's off-air signal) after Feb 17, 2009 the government offers two $40-dollar coupons per household, on request. They can be used to purchase low-end converter boxes or digital television adapters. The coupons, according to what I have read about digital conversion, are only good at certain stores.
Retailers Don't Really Want to Participate
Finding conversion boxes that qualify may be problematic. The government TV Converter Web site has a page called "Find a Retailer" but the page says "check back later." Word around the Web is Best Buy, Circuit City and Sears don't want to stock the products or process the refunds, or train their employees. Common sense told me, "Wait till closer to the deadline."
What to Do
Actually, I could opt to opt out and forget about coupons and converters since I subscribe to digital television service. Cable, satellite or dish service customers won't be affected by the death of analog. But I have at least one set that receives off air. My local channels aren't available from my dish provider (an ugly story involving DirecTV at odds with local stations, but that's another column). My choices are:
- Keep my analog antenna and buy a conversion box or two, with or without coupons.
- Use a cable or dish provider that offers locals.
- Buy a new TV or two with digital tuner incorporated.
When I bought my HDTV a few months ago, doing my initial homework brought to light the following:
- Many digital TV sold today do not actually have a digital tuner (also known as ATSC tuner)
- I had to ask a lot of questions when I looked at HDTVs and HD -ready TVs. (remember when "cable-ready" meant anything and everything?
- Terminology varied widely - Integrated HD or HD built in - or no converter required pretty much meant the set had a digital tuner onboard. These will all work after the analog to digital switch in 2009, HD-ready will probably not work.
My best bet is to go all digital with my home TVs. I'll replace the analog television in the bedroom - it's getting sickly anyway. The government program is packed with rules and wherefores and buggy as heck right now. The converters will likely cost between $45 and $70, so I'd have to shell out a few bucks even with the subsidy.
The biggest problem is two-fold. 1) Coupons expire 90 days after a "government contractor" puts them in the mail to my address and 2) the program is going to run out of money very quickly once people start requesting coupons.
Coupons are short-lived. Boxes aren't available. Hoop-jumping is involved. I'll pass and hope, of the 15 million households still using analog television, folks who really need the coupons will be able to get them.
For more info, snail mail TV Converter Box Coupon Program, PO Box 2000, Portland, OR, 97208-2000 or phone 1-888-DTV-2009 (TTY 877-530-2634) or apply o