OLD TV set after Feb 17, 2009 ??

Here's my post from a similar question:

To answer both of your questions. There isn't necessarily a mandate to have an HDTV, but the FCC has set a date of Feb. 17, 2009 for all broadcasters to cut off their analog broadcasts. The only people that this is going to affect are those that are getting their TV signal from an antenna. Anyone on cable and satellite isn't going to have anything to worry about. You won't have to buy a new TV unless you want to. The government is going to give people who qualify two $40 coupons that consumers can use to purchase converter boxes that will change the HD Signal of their antenna over to analog for their TV.

If you're seeing a lot of the commercials that are running now, or seeing the information in stores its not exactly clear. They make it seem like you have to have an HDTV, or you're up a creek when this happens, and its simply not the case.

Except for some tiny TVs that don't have a way to connect an external antenna, there are and will continue to be converter boxes that let older TVs receive digital TV signals, including "HDTV" channels.

The Feb 17, 2009 date only applies to over the air (OTA) broadcasts in the US. You can buy OTA converters now but most people will wait until after 2/17/2008 because that's when the government will start handing out $40 off coupons (max of 2 per household) that will bring the out of pocket expense down to about $20 each.

Satellite customers with analog TVs already have a converter built into their receiver. When cable customers need converters, they are usually supplied by the cable company.

Added comment

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Of the other answers so far, the one by Broadcast Engineer is the best. There is one sentence that needs help:

>Finally cable and satellite do not require such converters till 2012

The major satellite services already send their signals in digital form. There is a converter built into the receiver.

Some cable companies are already all digital. In those cases the cable company typically supplies a cable box with a converter for analog customers. The 2012 date is a requirement to supply analog service; cable companies can meet this requirement by supplying converter boxes rather than maintaining analog signals on their system.

Steven P has a great answer. I would only add that anything you currently have that works with your TV will work in its playback mode and that gaming consoles will work if they currently work with your TV.

RCA already has a converter box in the works but to get the coupon discount you need to wait until January 1, 2008 or later:

http://www.keepmytv.com/

Sears, Walmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy and others will be selling units compatible with the coupon program. MAKE SURE you pay attention to the rules of the coupon program to get the UNITS that QUALIFY for it. There are plenty of units that will not qualify because those units either include a on screen guide of what is on the channels or because those units support HDTV sets and the formats that are available for HDTV sets. A qualifying unit must only support connection to a basic TV via the antenna connection or the composite video input and audio inputs and display only in standard resolution (480i or 480 line interlaced scan).

There is no need to put your TV in a landfill when much of today's and tomorrows programs will still not be HDTV until all program sources adopt HDTV equipment. And even then you can recycle your TV through your local solid waste disposal process or community recycling program. Remember there are plenty of VCRs and DVD players and gaming systems that will still work in standard definition analog to keep these sets company until they die their natural death.

The only thing is to record TV programs you will either need a new recorder with a digital tuner or a converter for each recorder which you tune manually.

Finally cable and satellite do not require such converters till 2012 and other countries besides the US have a different time table for analog shut off.

Stations will no longer broadcast an analog signal starting in Feb. 2009.

That does not mean you have to give you your regular TV though. If you get your TV from cable or satellite, they will support it longer with your existing box. Even if you get over the air broadcast, you can buy a converter box that is heavily subsidized by the gov't.

you will could purchase an HD tuner to be waiting to proceed to apply your old non HD television. As for the DVD's, no, they are going to be an analogous. Flat show screen television's are in simple terms that, the show screen is flat. they may well be CRT or liquid crystal show (or plasma), yet are actually not inevitably HD . some television's say they are HD waiting, meaning that they don't have an HD tuner inbuilt, yet will show HD indicators with an exterior HD tuner. sure, an HD DVD participant will play non HD DVD's.

the issue is not hd but digital signal. Converter boxes will be sold to translate digital to analog, so you dont have to buy if you dont want to. Vouchers will be available for $40 per household to help purchase these. (off a govt website) Plus if you have cable the provider is required to convert the signal for you.

I understand converters will be available. What they will cost is anybody's guess. I'm sure, as the time draws near, plenty of information will be made available to those of us that are still getting our tv signals the old fashioned way.

yes the government has a program to give you 2 convertors for FREE. home theater magazine talks about the program which will be implemented in 2008.

I think you have to install a digital TV set (it is the law)

They been saying this crap for a long time. I wouldnt worry about it personally. If your on cable or satellite you already have your converter anyway....