PC World - Do you still get your TV reception via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna? If so, you've got about a year to procure a digital-to-analog converter box and prepare your television for the impending digital TV revolution. As mandated by federal law, on Feb. 19, 2009 over-the-air television broadcasts will switch from analog to digital.
If you're stuck with an analog-only TV, don't worry: Converter boxes will be available. LG Electronics Inc. and Royal Philips Electronics NV will be showing off some of the first at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and the boxes will go on sale for around $60 in the first quarter of the year. To help ease the transition, as of Jan. 1, you can request a $40 coupon subsidy from the federal government.
If you've already upgraded to a high-definition TV, you won't be affected by the coming transition. Nor will you feel an immediate impact if you you're a cable or satellite subscriber: The FCC requires cable and satellite providers to continue providing an analog signal until 2012.
The 2009 transition will hit only the small percentage of Americans who get their TV signal over the air using an antenna, said Jason Oxman, communications vice president at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). "We call these 'untethered' households -- about 11% of the nation's households. As of today, we estimate there are 13.5 million such households."When the switch takes place in 2009, the analog signal will go dark.
Digital TV Revolution Starts Now
The coupon program is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and funded by $1.5 billion appropriated by Congress. The intent of the program is to subsidize the nation's transition to digital television by allowing consumers to continue receiving free over-the-air television. The program is open to all U.S. households and was established in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.
How does it work? You can apply for up to two $40 coupons per household, either by visiting the official site or calling 888-DTV-2009. Printed applications will also be available at post offices and at public libraries in English, Spanish and other languages.
Starting Feb. 18, the government will send coupons by U.S. mail in the form of a gift card that consumers can use at electronics retailers that sell the digital-to-analog converter boxes. You'll have approximately three months to redeem the coupon.
So far, only Digital Stream, LG Electronics and Philips have converter boxes that are approved by the NTIA, and only LG and Philips have announced actual products. The boxes are expected to cost between $59 and $69 dollars.
Free Insider GuideCopyright © 1994 - 2013 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Computerworld Inc. is prohibited. Computerworld and Computerworld.com and the respective logos are trademarks of International Data Group Inc.
