On February 17, 2009, analog television programming will no longer be available in the US. On that date, all full power TV stations must abandon their analog broadcasts (if they haven’t done so already), allowing the spectrum to be divvied up for other uses. From then on it will be digital TV (DTV) for one and all. Now don’t go throwing out your old analog TV just yet. It’s still usable—you just need a box that converts the incoming digital signal to analog. Starting in 2008, a household will be able to receive up to two $40 coupons from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for such a device. The other option is to purchase a new TV. As of now, all new TVs are required to include a built-in digital tuner. To those who shudder at the thought of forced change, understand that this is really a win-win situation: consumers get a more reliable, clearer TV signal, and public and safety services like fire departments and emergency crews will have access to the scarce analog broadcast spectrum. For more info on if and how this change will affect you, go to the FCC website.
The Digital (r)Evolution
