HDTV taking over airways

Here's the deal: In Feb. 2009, a new law will take affect that will cause old analog signals to cease. All signals will be digital. Cable will switch to all digital cable, which means most on cable will either have to get a new TV or get a conversion box. Everyone without cable or satellite will have to get either the new TV or box. Dish and Direct subscribers will be fine, as their signals are already digital and their boxes already convert for older TVs. The price of the conversion box is about $25. The government will have a plan to help lower income people cover the cost of the new box. Hope that clears it up.

The first responder has the right information. You won't need an HDTV, just one (or a box)capable of processing a digital signal. Most TVs being sold now are digital ready, in preperation for the switch. The boxes act like the old cable boxes did back when cable was new and not all TVs were cable ready. The main difference is that the ending of analog broadcasts will hurry the change along this time.

It is simple our government has found another way to get more money. They are passing a law that you must have high def televisions or you will not get the signal. That means to television stations for you. If you pay for cable or satalite you will have no problems. The more money you pay out the more television you get. Our tax dollars at work. We now have to buy new televisions and new dvd players so that we can watch television. The government gets all that lovely tax money when we buy new televisions as well as tax money when we pay for cable. The government is working hand in hand with manufacturers of these televisions. In order to get a decent size television you are looking to pay out at least five hundred dollars. There is supposed to be some kind of discount to buy boxes that will help you get a signal with a regular television. The discount is $40.00 but who knows how much the boxes will be sold for. I wish us all luck in this situation.

I've basically heard the same thing as what you've said. I don't know how true it is or any other details but I am thankful that we only watch DVD's and I have no intention of buying a whole new TV or an expensive box to watch regular TV or Cable. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

You can go to the website DTVANSWERS.com and it explains it there.The date is February of 2009 and they will issue coupons for $40.00,2 per household to help deflect the cost of the box. We have cable but where my daughter lives its not availablcause there out of town about five miles . I wonder what happens with that.

Like the first poster said, you'll have to buy the conversion box *IF* you don't subscribe to cable or satellite TV service. This only effects users who still use "rabbit" ears to pick up a signal.

I heard that it would be in 2009. And it was just for those who still use anntenna.....the other options would still be there. But that is what I heard.