Do I Need an Analog to Digital Converter?

My friend is turning 50 on February 17, 2009. She keeps being harassed by countdowns to her 50th birthday on TV, radio, and print ads. Of course all of this is with regard to the switch from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting for television stations across the United States. You may be asking yourself if you need to do anything.

These days many people have cable TV and will not be effected by the switch regardless of the type of TV they have. However, if you have a TV that still only gets local stations and uses rabbit ears to tune in; then you probably need to pay attention to the countdown.

What is digital television, or DVT, anyway? For most people it simply means better picture and sound quality and that is really all the effect that you will see/hear. Many TV stations are already airing digital programming along with analog. However, come February 17, 2009 all these full-power TV stations will stop their analog broadcasts and switch over to strictly digital broadcasting.

If you purchased a new TV after March 1, 2007 it is very likely that you don’t have a thing to worry about, but it is possible. The rule that required all new TVs to include digital tuners took effect on March 1, 2007 and applied to the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of analog tuner products. However it did not stop retailers from selling the analog devices they already had in stock.

If you have an analog TV and need any kind of antenna to get reception you will need to get a digital to analog converter to watch TV broadcasts on your analog TV. What these converters do is receive digital signals and convert them to analog for display on analog TVs. These converters do not necessarily provide the better picture and sound that comes with digital.

Starting January 1, 2008 every household in the United States is eligible to request up to two coupons toward the purchase of up to two digital to analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration NTIA) is responsible for administering the coupon program through March 31, 2009. More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.

If you feel you will need to get a digital to analog converter box, then you should request your coupons as soon as possible. The coupons will expire 90 days after mailing, so you will want to use them right away. If you are unsure, you should request coupons in case you find you need them when the switch is made on February 17, 2009.

For my friend who is turning 50, there isn’t much I can do about the countdown. Change is coming and for her it will mean that she will always remember the date the change occurred. On February 17, 2009 Liz will turn 50, and the United States will no longer broadcast in analog.