Technical Question Here: About The Digital TV Thing A Ma Jig

Hi Def was very expensive 5 years ago - I doubt you have Hi Def. But, you may be OK with what you have if it really is digital. It just won't get HiDef. I looked at this web page and it says that people who use rabbit ears have analog sets, not digital (which almost seems to mean yours isn't digital) and will need converter boxes. The phrase they use is "sets having only analog tuners". So, if yours is really digital, you might be OK - you'll have to be sure. Here's the link - http://www.dtv.gov/whatisdtv.html Check this page out for the questions you ask - http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html I'm going to request those coupons because Mom has an old B&W in her bedroom and doesn't want cable in there. She goes to bed and watches the news and uses it as a nightlight when she has to get up during the night. The rest of the house has cable, so the converter boxes aren't an issue.

My understanding is that they will be broadcasting in digital instead of analog - so if your tv IS digital, it should still pick up the new signals fine.

I do not know about that, but my daughter got hers and has always refused cable. She gets a whole lot more channels now with her converter box, and no cable. She ordered the coupons online to save $40. They got theirs for ten each. Mine will cost more, because around here the only place than can guarantee to get them is Radio Shack, but it will be shipped directly to our house.

sorry but yes ya will unless you get hooked to cable

Ifu buy a HDTV then a box is not needed. But the rabbit ears may be needed. We got the box hooked up in the bedroom and I was amazed that the local channels actually have a few different shows in HD. Like chanell 11a 11b etc etc. The convertors really helped a lot with our reception. It really doesn't need the rabbit ears but they do help. You'll love it. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

You'll need an external decoder. The government is subsidizing them initially. You can find the programs on the web to get coupons that are good at any store that will be selling the boxes. After February, your TV will no longer work.

I'm sorry, I don't have this kind of technical knowledge...

If you buy a digital television... you obviously don't need a converter. But digital TVs are still very pricey in Australia. And many people have bought converters. You even need a converter if you have cable or satellite. The antenna or cable is receiving the digital signal and is plugged into the converter in order for your television to receive and interpret that new signal. In other words, you are converting the television... not the antenna. If you wait a while... the price of digital televisions is sure to come down when everyone rush out to buy one. Those converters should get cheaper as well.

We use rabbit ears and got the boxes. When my grown daughter came to visit I had her hook it all up - I'm technically impaired! It really improved the picture on most stations. But the ones with low power break up pretty badly. I'm wondering if they are going to boost their power by February 09. After the kids went home to W.Va. we watched a dvd, had a little trouble with pushing all the right buttons but finally got to watch the movie. Then the t.v. wouldn't shut off with the digital remote. Now the remote on that one doesn't work at all. We can turn the set on and off manually but it won't change to all the channels, just the main ones. I've tried to reprogram the remote according the the instructions, but nothing helps. It is very frustrating to be among the "elderly" in regard to electronics. I'm pretty smart - have an IQ in the 130's - but I swear I just can't make all this new stuff work! I guess I'll just have to wait for my kids to come visit again!

You and me, both. All I know is that Canadian signals will still be available a little longer (can't remember when we switch, just that it'll be later, maybe a year).

I skimmed, don't recall this issue being addressed here. Since cable and satellite charge extra for digital channels right now, what is going to happen in February? In all the articles that have been printed in the newspaper and online, I have yet to find someone who is willing to address this! Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places? We have satellite right now, but 1 tv isn't hooked up. If I buy a converter box, will I receive all the digital channels?

I did a little checking and an article I read stated that yes, you will still need your antenna AND you may need a better antenna to deal with the digital reception. Unfortunately, I read another article that outlined the problems they had with a converter box. Their problem was that the local station was sending very weak digital signals and therefore the user wasn't able to watch tv at all and ended up buying a satellite package. I think if you're in a major city you probably won't have this problem but the newer antenna would be something to look into.

Hi pye, In this day and everything is Digital, if you hanve not got cable you have to get converter because if you don't all those channel you are getting will be no more, you won't be able to get any channels so yes you will have to get digital, we have sattellite at the moment and digital box upstairs but we cannot get the channels as it not in our area yet. Now it going H.D so we will have to get a new t.v. set a flat screen one because we have old one that is about ten years old, need a chane now I supposed. All this new technology I cannot keep up, good luck with your one. Bright Blessings. Tamara

i herd that wont work, idk thou, but wouldnt it be cheaper to buy a converter box than a tv?

I think you need a converter if you are not hooked up to cable or satellite connection, I am going to need a new tv because mine is going now, but in Canada we don't change over until 2011.

First question to return to you. Is your tv labeled HDTV? If so then you have another question to answer. That is does it say compatible or does it say ready? If it is just compatible then you still need the decoder. If it says ready then it should have the decoder built into it. But then just to make it more confusing, even some of the ones labeled HDTV ready still need the decoder. Now if you do not know about what you have then go to dtv.gov or dtv2009.gov . They also offer a coupon with a $40 value to help in purchasing the converter boxes. I have seen them at Walmart for $19.95 so the government well be buying the box for you. Now if you just decide to buy a new tv you still need to find out if it is HDTV and also has the built in decoder. What a pain it is.

Honey you must call or email the government to get a voucher to upgrade it. I have heard that some are low cost or you may be able to get it free. They advertize on tv all the time. xoxoxoxo

Hi Pye-I think you would have to get a didgital converter they aren't much but not being technologocally minded that way hopefully someone else will give you some proper feed back-bb littleowl