A few more things you should know about the DTV transition

Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:59PM EDT

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Our Yahoo! Tech advisors have covered next year's Digital Television Transition, and many sites are devoted entirely to this topic. But it appears there's still a lot of confusion out there about the transition, as Ben noted. Sadly, more than one-third of U.S. households don't know about the transition, while others are rushing out to buy new TV sets they don't need. What's really upsetting is that some folks may unknowingly be buying analog-only televisions that will still require a converter box or cable subscription next year, because retailers refuse to put up disclosure signs.

You see, the Federal Communications Commission requires that all TVs manufactured, imported, or shipped since March 1, 2007, include a digital tuner. Analog-only sets that don't have digital tuner can still be sold, as long as retailers display warnings to consumers near them. The problem that is retailers like Wal-Mart, Sears, Target, and Circuit City haven't been following this rule. So they are now facing hefty fines from the FCC.

According to an FCC report, Sears "willfully and repeatedly" violated the rules by failing to display a sign next to analog-only equipment it was selling online and in stores. Sears received more than 20 citations and is now facing a $1.1 million fine. Wal-Mart is looking at a $992,000 fine for violations in 51 stores, and Circuit City is facing a $712,000 fine.

More companies will no doubt try to take advantage of the digital TV-transition confusion. So I thought I'd put together a few tips to help you make an informed decision before you buy or subscribe to something you may not need.

To clarify, you're not affected by the DTV transition if you have one of the following:

* A TV with a digital tuner

* A digital-to-analog converter box
* A cable or satellite TV subscription that's not connected straight to your TV set (more on this later)
Only analog TV owners who rely on antennas to receive over-the-air-television signals are affected by the change.

Find out if your TV has a digital tuner

If you own a TV that's a few years old and not rectangular, a quick look inside your owner's manual may tell you if your television has a digital tuner. Some TVs with this feature are labeled, but if yours isn't, you can go to the manufacturer's website and search for your model. Sets with digital tuners will have one of the following labels:

Integrated Digital Tuner
Digital Tuner Built-In
Digital Receiver
Digital Tuner
DTV
ATSC
HDTV (High-Definition Television)

Do not buy a television that doesn't have a digital tuner, unless you're planning to spend more money on a converter box. If you plan to buy one anyway, keep in mind that it doesn't need to be an HDTV, unless you want high-definition programming-which usually requires an additional subscription from your cable provider, anyway.

No digital tuner, no problem

You don't have to get rid of your favorite analog TV set. Just get a converter box. All U.S. households are eligible to apply for up to two $40 coupons that can be used towards the purchase of a converter box. These coupons are being handed out between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, and you can request your coupon here. Keep in mind that you don't need a converter box if you have cable or satellite service.

Cable subscribers are also affected

According to a report by the Associated Press, cable customers may face additional charges due to the DTV transition. Those with set-top boxes don't need to worry too much, but the over 28 million who plug their cable wires straight into the back of their TVs may have to pay for converter boxes. Check with your provider to determine your situation. One customer in the AP story was told she needed to rent a converter box per television for $5.95 per month each, plus a $60 installation fee, increasing her bill 75 percent.

If you have extra analog televisions in your home without converter boxes, you may want to look into your options now-before it's too late.

Related:
Digital TV Shift May Aid Cable Companies
Digital shift affects cable

On Yahoo! Tech:

A Guide to the 2009 DTV Transition
Update on 2009 Digital TV Conversion
Making Sense of the HDTV Marketing Mumbo-Jumbo

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Comments on A few more things you should know about the DTV transition

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  • 6 Posted by chittenden.josh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    The publicity surrounding this changeover has many television owners questioning and needing information from a trustworthy source. As a family-owned and operated business, Advanced Technology Services feels we owe it to our customers to give you the most accurate information available. Not all stations have to switch over only full power stations do. We want to help you make decisions with which you are secure. To read more on this article check out advtechservices.net go to the rss feed. analog signal to digital broadcasting

  • 7 Posted by got3hangn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    one thing no one so far is telling us is that uhf translater stations are not required to take part in the digital transition, so if you live in an out lying area and recieve your tv thru a translater then you may not even be affected at all! check with your local radio shack store or communications retailer( not a tv store)to find out if your local translater station will even be going digital! many wont for several years yet! remember who's doing the advertising...cable and satellite cos. ...fair amount of hype and scare tactics involved!!!

  • 8 Posted by drmarshun on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have had expanded basic cable through Mediacom for 21 years and have 5 tv's and all with cable plugged directly into back of tv. I have never had a set top box with anolog cable.

  • 9 Posted by triciacassy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    If You Have Cable you dont need a box, Have'nt you been listening! a stand alone set without a digital tuner does OK

  • 10 Posted by bp5984 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is absolutely ridiculous that yahoo posts a picture looking very similar to a Best Buy associate with this %

  • 11 Posted by dodgerman63 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sears is lousy ! Checked their website and found a digital ready TV that they said was "available" at the store nearest me. Went down there and the jerks said they didn't have the TV in the store. It was the old "bait and switch" deal, so I went down the street to Wal Mart and bought a TV there. It works fine except some of the digital channels keep losing the signal due to low signal strength. I thing the TV stations need to boost their signal. I hope I'm wrong, but I predict problems come February 17th.

  • 12 Posted by mantawithit on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've read a bunch of these posts but no one has mentioned something I read... the government is going to be selling the rights to the analog bandwidths now used by television for billions of dollars to cell phone companies and others? If this is correct, do we get a piece of the pie? New t.v's? Or will they use it to start a war with Iran (see john mccain) or give it to the oil companies in more subsidies and tax breaks (again, see john mccain)

  • 13 Posted by dodgerman63 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    To "dsilverpe", Your info is very much appreciated. I bought a brand new digital ready TV a month ago and I am getting either a great picture on the digital channels OR the picture just plain disappears for 5 to 10 seconds. Digital might provide a clearer picture and better sound, but it's aggrevating as heck to be watching a program and have the picture crap out on you. For my money, analog was good enough and if I'm going to constantly lose the signal on some digital channels I'm not going to be happy.

  • 14 Posted by obiettaetta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hello, I don't remember reading about why they are switching to digital TV. I waited too long to go get a box and my time ran out. Didn't have any sold near me. But my brother got a box and connected it and only got 4 channels, plus he too complained about the box getting really hot. is that dangerous? Can I still get a coupon now that more stores are selling the boxes? and why did he only get 4 channels (not ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS or any other regular station)?

  • 15 Posted by obiettaetta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I also have a question about my old DVD/VCR player. will in need a converter box also? this is starting to add up to a lot of money. I am a senior and i don't have a lot of money to waste, especially in this economy.

  • 16 Posted by drums_jj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Who the heck uses antenna anymore anyway. If they do, its time for them to move out of the dark ages. Even my parents older friends in their 80's have either transitioned into cable or have gotten one of the new converter boxes.

  • 17 Posted by cgregusk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    At the risk of sounding ignorant-why are we even doing this at all? I think it should be a personal choice-why is the gov't now taking over our tv's as well?

  • 18 Posted by cja1975a on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    it is not our governments responsibility to provide television. television is a privilege, not a right. the fact that we are wasting millions of tax dollars on free converters is a prime example of how back asswards our government is...

  • 19 Posted by maryanderson360 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    My TV was purchased around 1990. I uss DTV sattalite and I have been experiencing (for several months now) "snow" periodically, sometimes for a short while & other times for hours, then it comes back perfectly fine. It also works fine without interruptions on DVD & VHS players. Could this transition be the cause of this?

  • 20 Posted by gpangermeir@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    Informative article but wish someone would address the problem we will have using our old VCR with the new Converter Box. Do we need two boxes, one for the VCR & one for the TV?

  • 21 Posted by helenhlh57 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, what about satellite receiver companies such as DirecTV? They aren't "cable" companies, but do the same rules apply such as my TV should have a digital tuner? The receiver from DirecTV is digital, but perhaps my TV lacks the tuner (it's about 10 years old and works beautifully). If I continue with DirecTV, will everything still work? Yes, I called DirecTV and the rep could not assure me of ANYTHING.

  • 22 Posted by willyg22003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why is everybodys grammar,spelling and punctuation so bad on all these message boards?

  • 23 Posted by bgrprincess on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    No one is addressing the rural areas where a converter box is not the magic answer it is supposed to be.Unfortunately, those of us located in teh wrong direction from a broadcast station find the digital signals far weaker than the analog. The converter box was a waste of money-will have to do cable to get any TV reception at all.

  • 24 Posted by latonya.pulley@sbcglobal.net on Sun May 4, 2008 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    This transition will only affect the poor and the elderly. It's not fair to them or any one else. Some people do not wish to convert and do nor wish to have cable. Cable already cost enough and now people will be charge if the have cable and not the correct TV. This is crazy.

  • 25 Posted by icebluer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Democrats - can't seem to pay taxes although they talk the talk - and now they want to extend a deadline that has been so well publicized that you have to ask yourself - whats the point. If your not ready this month, what makes you think that they will be ready in June? No additional money for digital boxes, so what we have here is a perfect example of , putting your head in the sand legislation and when you pull your head out, its the same view. Nothing has changed. Perfect sense to a democrat. Except for those who will have to foot the bill for being ready for the original date and who will how have to foot the bill for being prepared. Insane.

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