Confused about Digital TV? Check Out Digital TV 101
Tuesday February 10, 2009
We've been hearing about this for more than a year, and now the time is getting closer. On June 12, 2009 (originally scheduled for February 17 and later extended by Congress to give people more time to adjust), the United States will change TV technologies from analog to digital, and many people will find that their TVs don't work anymore because digital TV will not work on an old TV set. The change to digital TV is confusing to many people, especially older adults who may not be familiar with the technology (this includes me...good thing I have cable).
If you need help understanding the new digital TV and what it means for your household, get that help from Digital TV 101, a free online course that gently guides you through the mysteries of digital TV and helps you make the best choices for digital TV viewing.
Photo courtesy of South Carolina Educational Television
I live in the test area for the switch over. We’ve been on digital since last September and I manage a senior center – so far no one I know has had any trouble at all. You wont even notice any thing different unless you have an analog tv and no cable or satalite. The few seniors I have that don’t have cable/satelite got the converter boxes. They work but the picture isnt the best. But according to them the picture was never that great to begin with. I really don’t know why they extended the deadline for the switch, the hype is worse than the bite!
=)
Thanks,Shelly. It’s good to know the switch isn’t as big a deal as it seems.
Sharon
I am extremely frustrated and feel cheated. I signed up for the discount coupon and when I received it the short time expiration was not real obvious (about 2 weeks from the time I got it) and when I went to purchase the converter box it had expired the day before. Then I find out they won’t reissue them. THAT JUST DOESN’T SEEM FAIR !!!!!!
That’s unfortunate, Dennis, but all is not lost. With the conversion date extended to June 12, there is a program in the works to replace or extend lost, stolen or expired coupons. When the new program is in place it will be announced here:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx
Sharon