EmailWhile the end is coming for analog TV, a digital converter box can keep you old set humming for many years to come. Here's what to bear in mind:
- Most analog broadcasting to end by June 12, 2009. The government has delayed the mandatory end of analog broadcasting by four months (the original date was Feb. 17). However, some stations and some markets have or will make the switch before that. Note that while some low-power stations will remain on the air after June 12, most people will lose all over-the-air TV after that date unless they have a digital TV or a DTV converter box.
- Government coupons are in short supply. To ease the burden for those who have analog TVs, the government set up a program offering each household up to two $40 coupons that can each be used to purchase a DTV converter box. That program ran out of money in early January, leaving millions on a waiting list. At the time of this report, additional funding was expected to be made available, and money from unredeemed expired coupons will be added back to the fund, so you might still be able to get a coupon. See the program's website (see Useful Links) for the latest updates. You can also see lists of eligible converter boxes there.
- Analog pass-through is valuable if you currently receive programming from low-power broadcasters. Without it, hooking up a DTV converter box can be more complicated.
- Coupon-eligible converter boxes don't deliver HDTV. By regulation, these boxes can only output standard definition video for viewing on a standard-definition TV. Non-coupon eligible, HD-capable receivers and DVRs are also available but are more costly.
- Look for a DTV converter box with timers for use with a VCR. Only a few DTV converter boxes have this feature. Other converter boxes will work, but they won't change channels automatically between shows that are being recorded. Also remember to disable the converter's automatic sleep mode if you are using the box with a VCR.
- Not everyone who receives analog TV will be able to receive digital TV signals. The new digital TV signals have a smaller coverage area than analog TV signals. In particular, they are more sensitive to obstacles such as buildings and hills. There are a few websites where you can enter your location to see what channels you can reasonably expect to receive. AntennaWeb.org and TVFool.com are good sites to try (see Useful Links).
- Finding a specific converter box can be a challenge. While some digital converter boxes are easy to find at large Internet retailers or major brick-and-mortar stores, others are considerably scarcer, available only through smaller retailers or direct from their manufacturers. The government digital transition website includes a list of those sellers; see Useful Links.