You Don't Need a New TV!
No; you do not have to get a new TV. Your old TV can still be used after the coming change to all-digital television broadcasts.
Some friends mentioned this week that they thought that they were going to have to get brand new TVs before next February. No. A new TV is not required.
Here's what's happening. On February 17, 2009, all full power television stations in the United States are required to stop broadcasting in the old style system called "analog" and continue broadcasting in digital only. This is known as the DTV transition.
The DTV transition is a good thing.
Yes; it is correct that analog TVs will not work directly with digital broadcasts, BUT you still don't have to buy a new TV. All you'll need is a converter box for your TV and those are going to be very cheap or even free.
And; you don't need an HDTV to watch digital TV broadcasts. Your old set will work fine once you have the converter. It may actually look better!
If you currently receive over-the-air programming on an analog television using a broadcast antenna, either through “rabbit ears” on your set or an antenna on your roof, you will only need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue watching broadcast television on that set after February 17, 2009. The basic boxes cost approximately $40 to $70 and are in stores now. You can also get them with extra features, like DVR (digital video recorders) or TiVO and that's a great way to go.
To help pay for the converter boxes, every family or household in the US is eligible to receive up to two coupons worth $40 each to be used for the purchase of converter boxes. The coupon program is run by something called the "National Telecommunications and Information Administration" (NTIA). You can find them and a form to fill out on the web at www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.
Note that if you do get a new DTV-ready TV (a TV with a built-in digital tuner) and you watch over-the-air programming on it, you will not need a converter box.
By the way; the antenna you use to receive analog broadcasts now should work fine for receiving digital broadcasts, both on a DTV and on an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box.
The really good news for most viewers:
If you subscribe to a paid television service such as cable or FIOS or satellite TV, you will not need a digital-to-analog converter box, and the TVs connected to your paid service will continue to receive local broadcast programming.
You may want to check with your local TV provider though to see if they have any surprises in store regarding any additional equipment in the future.
If you want more more information about DTV and the coupons, you can also call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit their DTV Web site at www.dtv.gov.
So, repeating; No; you do not have to get a new TV set.
