1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

This February 17th, Analog TV broadcasting will be turned off and Digital broadcasting will begin. There are a few ways you can choose to prepare yourself for this switch over so that your viewing of television is not interrupted.If you already own a digital television you are all set, no changes will need to be made. If you have an older television that is not digital you have a few choices in order to receive the digital transmissions. Cable television customers and Dish Network or Direct TV customers will need to do nothing for both already transmit their services digitally. If you do not have either of the two dish services or cable TV this would be a great time to explore them as an option. You may also buy a converter box in which the Government offers coupons to go towards the purchase of this converter box which will allow all TV's with out digital capacity to receive digital transmissions. The Federal Government offers a $40 dollar coupon to go towards the converter box which range from $39 dollars to $60 dollars. You can request your coupon by calling 1-800-DTV-2009 or visiting their web site WWW.DTV2009.GOV.

Older television sets may not be the only thing affected by this switch over. Your older VCR may not work with the digital transmissions as well. You can remedy this by going out and buying a DVD player/recorder or tivo. While many may think this is a hassle, there are benefits that most will enjoy due to this switch over. Many of you will enjoy being able to pick up more channels then previous for digital transmission is stronger and reaches a much broader range of area then analog transmissions. The cost of the switch over will be much less of a burden then most originally thought. You will also enjoy better picture quality as well as less interruptions due to weather conditions and other factors of loss of signal. So, right now is a perfect time to either upgrade your televising set or buying the converter box to ensure you are ready for this change in broadcasting.

This change over represents the biggest change in television broadcasting in almost fifty years since color television was introduced. Besides the ability to receive more channels through multi casting. Multi casting will allow broadcasters to split their signal not only into one channel but several so a channel such as channel 2 could also have 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4. By switching to digital broadcasting it will also add the option of Interactive capabilities as well. So in all actuality the benefits of this switch over is far greater then one expected. Act now so that you are ready to be able to receive the digital transmissions and eliminate your chance of not being able to view digital television at all.

Learn more about this author, Adam Ugro.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to prepare for the digital-TV switchover?
We want to hear your view. Write now!