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TV SIGNALS GOING DIGITAL
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The sky is not falling, but come February 2009, over-the-air TV signals as we have come to know them will cease to exist. As vinyl records gave way to cassettes, cassettes to CDs, smoke signals to cell phones, analog TV signals are being phased out for digital ones.
Like most laws in America, it was Congress that mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting, also known as the digital television (DTV) transition. All-digital broadcasting, they tell us, will free up frequencies for public safety communications such as police, fire and emergency rescue.
With hundreds of TV channels and the saturation of high-definition television sets, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality. These new signals will also offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams, called multicasting.
But what does this conversion mean for your TV viewing habits?
Quite simply, if you currently subscribe to cable, satellite or IPTV (i.e. AT&T U-verse), you should be good to go. You're probably already getting digital signals through your cable or satellite box. The TV you are using now will continue to work the way it always has.
But if you have an older analog TV which uses so-called “rabbit ears” or other kinds of over-the-air antennas, you are going to need a digital converter to tune-in the new digital over-the-air TV signals.
So here are your choices:
a) Keep your 30-year-old Sony Trinitron and subscribe to a cable/sat/IPTV service;
b) Keep that old set with the broken knobs but good picture and get a converter box; or
c) Buy a new TV set that receives digital signals.
An interesting point to make here--you don’t need to go out and buy an HDTV. High-def TV sets receive these digital signals but there are cheaper options. Several manufacturers make sets with built-in digital tuners (integrated DTV) for a few hundred dollars. Most HDTV sets cost several hundreds of dollars and well into the thousands.
According to a recent study by Nielson Co., about 14 million consumers with older TV sets who don’t have subscription services will need digital-to-analog converters boxes. This is the least expensive option to comply with the transition. These small boxes will hook into older sets and convert the new digital signals into analog signals that your current older TV set can display.
These digital converter boxes are already on the market and cost upwards of $50. But thanks to our wonderful U.S. government, they are offsetting the cost by issuing up to two $40 coupons per household. To receive these coupons, go to this website to apply for them, or call 1-888-DTV-2009. When they arrive via snail mail, take them to a local store and buy a converter box.
I received my coupons in late March and found a converter box at Wal-Mart for $49. After using the coupon I was only out $9 plus tax. A small price to pay to allow my 4-inch TV set in my garage to receive American Idol. Note: There is a 90-day expiration date on the coupons so use them soon after you receive them.
If you have figured out your situation with your TV set, there are potential other concerns about peripherals plugged in to your set. VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and video games will continue to work, even if they are only analog-capable. However, such equipment may not provide digital-quality picture and sound. Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound quality. Check with your equipment retailer to determine the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.
The FCC and local broadcast stations have launched public awareness campaigns to alert consumers about the February 17, 2009 conversion date. Be prepared for a barrage of ads, alerts and digital TV sales coming your way this holiday season.
So act soon, but remember the sky is not falling! But if you miss one episode of Desperate Housewives due to this switch, things may really hit the fan.
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We've got a doozie of a show lined up on Saturday with a handful of guests to entertain and inform you. That's actually a little radio trick when you don't feel like preppin' and answering live questions.
I spent almost an entire week with hypermiling expert Dan Bryant so it is appropriate we begin with a recap of our Hybrid Tour of Texas. Dan was able to average 68.5 MPG during our 5-city jaunt between Houston, Corpus, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. He's got lots of tips for you.
We took a lot of photos on the trip and an executive with RocketLife will join me to discuss ways of creating photo albums by uploading pictures and designing the look of a printable book. Perfect timing for your summer vacation memories.
I hung out Friday at the new AT&T Store in Town & Country Mall. No less than a dozen people stopped in to see if they had the new iPhone in stock. Nope. In fact every AT&T Store in southeast Texas is completely sold out of the new gadget. But here is a secret page on Apple's
website to learn when Apple stores will receive their next shipments.
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Archos 605 WiFi 30GB
Probably the most-asked and emailed question I get is for recommendations in this category. While I own several versions of the famous gadget beginning with the letter “i,” there are actually many competitors. No single mp3 player is perfect for everyone – runners and gym rats want something light and sweat proof while audio and videophiles like large screens and big hard drives.
This year I am going with the Archos 605 WiFi. With 30GB of storage it can hold 40 Movies, 300,000 photos or 15,000 songs. Other devices can hold just as much but look closely and this thing is sexy. Just 15mm thick (or actually thin) it is controlled by both touch screen and tactile controls on the unit’s polished metal frame.
Compatibility continues to be an issue with some monopolistic, fruity –named companies (again, the “i” word) which is another reason Archos stands out. No matter if you use a PC or Mac; it can handle DRM-WMA, Flash video from YouTube and act as an external hard drive.
The 5-band custom EQ makes for incredible sound and the 4.3” TFT LCD screen is extremely sharp. As the name suggests you can download video wir...
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