News and Reviews....

    DIGITAL TV  02/18/09    January 2008   

 By Bob Lieto

Yes Folks, The Digital Transition is happening and will take effect on February 18, 2009. Just a bit more then one year away, our analog NTSC Television format, that we have been watching for as long as TV has existed, is being shut down for a new and improved Digital (ATSC) service. Custom Audio-Video has been talking about the change in past articles (See below) and the time is almost upon us. We would like to inform everyone on the change, the new tuners, and basically how each of us will be effected. 

On December 31, 2007 the FCC announced rule changes to give broadcasters more flexibility in switching from analog to digital television. Under the new rules, broadcasters will be allowed to phase out or end their analog signals before the February 17, 2009 deadline. Broadcasters must provide updates in February 2008 and October 2008.  "As all major changes tend to be, the coming transition to digital television transmission is an exciting - but complicated- revolution," FCC commissioner Kevin Martin.

Beginning on February 18, 2009, television stations will stop broadcasting analog signals. An older, non-digital television without cable or satellite service will need a special converter box to receive a picture. The boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70 and can be subsidized starting today Tuesday January 2, 2008. Each household can request two $40 coupons at no charge to help pay for the boxes. There are four ways to request a coupon, which I will list below. Not everyone will need a box. If you have cable or satellite service, the respective company should inform you on whether your current box must be replaced and it will be up to them to complete the change. If you have purchased a new TV, be it CRT, Plasma, LCD, DLP or other, and apply cable directly to the rear of your TV, you may research in the TV specifications section of your owners manual, (usually the last pages), into your TV's tuning capabilities. If the literature states that you have a NTSC 125 channel Tuner, your TV could be a candidate for a converter box. If your TV has an ATSC Tuner or HDMI interface, chances are you will not need a converter box, even if you apply your cable directly to the back of your set.. If your TV is old and you obtain your TV service from Free-Air antenna, you WILL definitely need a converter box. 

The TV Converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. The coupons although available now are not going to be mailed until that time and have a 90 day expiration from the date issued. 

The following TV converter boxes, by brand name are eligible for the coupon purchase as of this date. 

DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10     DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20    Zenith DTT900    Magnavox TB100MW9    Philco TB150HH9    MicroGEM MG2000

Sansonic FT300RT    MaxMedia MMDTVB03    Apex DT1001    ECHOSTAR TR-40    AMTC AT-2016  (Expect more to follow as time goes on)

Our current customers will be receiving a card in the mail informing them of the change and requesting they call for an evaluation of their current system. Custom Audio-Video Systems will be taking calls from anyone that would like to have their system evaluated on a first come, first served basis.  

To apply on line for coupons go to: http://www.dtv2009.gov

To call the coupon Program 24 Hour hot line, Call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634

Mail a coupon application to: P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR. 97208-2000

Fax  coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

The program is being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, on the web at: "http://www.ntia.doc.gov".

Comment .....   This transition is going to be messy. Find out sooner then later about your particular needs or get yourself a HDTV free air antenna and digital receiver box to get 6-12 or more (depending on your area) free HDTV channels. Call Custom Audio-Video Systems for more information. To get an idea of available stations on air in your area, at this time go to: "http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonair.html". 

Have a comment or question on the subject in this article, please let us know on our email page.

Past Articles on Subject:

The End of Analog TV Part 6  January 2007

The End of Analog TV Part 5  May 2006

The End of Analog TV Part 4  November 2005

The End of Analog TV Part 3  July 2005

The End of Analog TV Part 2  May 2005

The End of Analog TV   January 2005

   

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