Buy that Best Buy (and cable/satellite) stock now!
Posted 46 weeks 3 days ago byOne year from today, my ancient television -- if I forget to pay my DirecTV bill -- will make for a nice planter. That's because Feb. 19, 2009 is the day that all television broadcasts are switching from analog to digital broadcasts. The "rabbit ears" will go the way of the buggy whip. Pawn shop owners across the country will weep.
We'll let the professional geeks at Wired.com explain for us:
No one with cable or satellite service will be affected, nor will anyone who gets stations over the air with a newer TV with a digital tuner.
Ok. That wasn't exactly unpenetratable tech-talk. But you get the picture -- or won't, if you don't have cable, satellite TV or a special converter that will receive the digital broadcast. But worry not, Appalachia and low-tech seniors confused by all the buttons on the remote. Congress has you covered, offering the No TV Left Behind Act.
Your tax dollars at work: Making sure Americans don't miss one day of Oprah.
Thoughts
C'mon guys!
Submitted on February 18th, 2008 by Jim LakelyYour extensive knowledge of the subject and cogent facts are getting in the way of all my jokes and fun!
Good info, though.
Cheers!
Jim
rabbit ears and loops
Submitted on February 18th, 2008 by Cycle_GeezerActually the UHF part of the spectrum isn't going anywhere, it's where the digital signal now will live. Those old wire loops may be more useful than rabbit ears. The VHF part will be resold for I don't know what, but I'm sure it's going digital too, so there will be no eavesdropping using old TV sets, unlike what happened with 800mhz scanners back in the analog cell phone days. Whatever you do, don't let the snake oil salesmen in the electronic stores sell you a special 'digital' antenna, if you got a good signal off your old TV antenna, chances are you will get an even better signal when going digital. At least that was my experience. The frequencies haven't changed, only the information contained in those frequencies.
Actually, I use rabbit ears on my TV.
Submitted on February 18th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiBut all I pick up is HD stuff to an HD Tuner. So technically, UHF/VHF will go the way of the dodo, not the rabbit ears. :-)
I refuse to pay for cable or satellite. I'd rather spend that money on an extra book or two each month.