Out with the Old. In With the New
Digital to Replace Older TVs

Are you planning to buy a new television next year? If so, make certain it has a digital signal. Older model TVs without digital signals will not work after February 2009. You will need a special attachment to get them to work.

A new kind of signal is bringing pictures to our televisions. It is called a digital signal.
The old kind of signal is called analog. Many TV stations now send programs in both analog and digital.

TV signals ending in 2009
Analog signals will end on February 17, 2009. Then TV broadcasts will be only in digital. This change is by federal law.

Older TVs only receive analog signals. That does not mean you will have to junk your old TV. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gives two main reasons.

First, an analog TV will be able to receive digital signals. You can buy a converter box. The converter box changes digital signals into a form that can be used by analog TVs.

The FCC says the analog sets should still work with your games, VCRs, DVD players and other products.

Second, viewers who have cable do not have to worry about the change to digital. Their TVs receive their signals from cable, not broadcast. However, you do not need to buy cable to get the TV shows you watch today.

Coupons will help pay for boxes
The converter boxes will sell from $50 to $70. The U.S. government started the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program to help buyers.

Each U.S. household may get two $40 coupons to help with buying converter boxes. The FCC says that people can ask for the coupons starting in January 2008. For more information, visit www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice), or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

There is a lot of talk about high definition television (HDTV). It gives an extra-sharp picture.

You do not need to buy a high definition television (HDTV) to watch digital TV. Either a TV with a digital tuner inside or an analog TV with a converter box will work. However, the picture will not have the sharper quality.

The law now says that all TV equipment being sold must contain a digital tuner or should clearly say they do not have one. Most stores took analog TVs off the market in October. Be sure you know what you are buying.

Look for a label or stamp, or read the package materials to know if your TV is digital. Find the words 'Integrated Digital Tuner,' 'Digital Tuner Built-In,' 'Digital Receiver,' 'Digital Tuner' or the letters 'DTV,' 'ATSC' or 'HDTV.'
Are you buying an older, used TV? Be aware that the TV will need a converter box in 2009.