[cwwozniak]

Starting Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital tuner TV set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a signal. As of Jan. 1, 2008, you can apply for US government issued $40 discount coupons to purchase digital converter boxes.

CNN article about the switch to digital and the coupons:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/01/01/d...ef=mpstoryview

US government page with link to on-line coupon application form:
https://www.dtv2009.gov./

[Tstright]

I couldn't name 5 people that still own an Analog TV.

[namenotfound]

Originally Posted by cwwozniak

Starting Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital tuner TV set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a signal. As of Jan. 1, 2008, you can apply for US government issued $40 discount coupons to purchase digital converter boxes.

CNN article about the switch to digital and the coupons:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/01/01/d...ef=mpstoryview

US government page with link to on-line coupon application form:
https://www.dtv2009.gov./

Firefox is telling me the second link is a security risk and I should click "cancel" to avoid connecting to it.

[cwwozniak]

Originally Posted by namenotfound

Firefox is telling me the second link is a security risk

Something got hosed with my copying and pasting of the URL. Should work fine without the "./" on the end.

https://www.dtv2009.gov

[bp936]

how can I tell if I have an analog or digital tuner, I am still on an Antenna, no I don't live on the moon, but none will pull a cable to my location 10 km out of at least 6 big cities close to my house. (I call it discrimination)
I have a remote to control tv and picture in picture, so I assume it is digital, a Sony, 7 years old. (sorry if this sound like a stupid question)

[Frank4d]

I predict a huge public backlash prior to Feb. 18, 2009, and the government will will extend the deadline by five years. My mother is 85 years-old, has never had cable and does not want it now, has not bought a TV in 20 years and doesn't want or need a newer one, and is not going to take this BS without a fight.

[cwwozniak]

Originally Posted by bp936

I have a remote to control tv and picture in picture, so I assume it is digital, a Sony, 7 years old.

Just because a TV may have digital circuits for remote control functions and picture in picture does not automatically mean it has a tuner that can receive digital TV (ATSC DTV) broadcasts. If it is 7 years old, there is a possibility it does not have have an ATSC DTV tuner. The FCC mandate for TV's sold in the USA to have ATSC DTV tuners did not start until July, 2005 for sets 36 inches and larger. The requirement for smaller sets kicked in the following years.

[bp936]

thanks cw, I will look this up in the manual what it says.
this helps

[hewee]

bp936,

Your in Canada and not the USA so the same thing going to happen to you up there?

[ferrija1]

Originally Posted by Frank4d

I predict a huge public backlash prior to Feb. 18, 2009, and the government will will extend the deadline by five years. My mother is 85 years-old, has never had cable and does not want it now, has not bought a TV in 20 years and doesn't want or need a newer one, and is not going to take this BS without a fight.

I'm pretty sure they're serious about it now, but we'll have to see.

[sockerdudex]

thank god. im glad this is happening. we need to start moving into the new age of technology and elimate the older stuff. for instance: i thinkto be perfectly honest, we shouldnt have cds and maybe even dvds and jus use bluray and hdvdv

[ferrija1]

Originally Posted by sockerdudex

thank god. im glad this is happening. we need to start moving into the new age of technology and elimate the older stuff. for instance: i thinkto be perfectly honest, we shouldnt have cds and maybe even dvds and jus use bluray and hdvdv

Well Blu-ray and HD DVD are still too expensive but that's a conversation for another thread....

[sockerdudex]

ahah agreed

[namenotfound]

Originally Posted by ferrija1

Well Blu-ray and HD DVD are still too expensive but that's a conversation for another thread....

Sometime this year (2008) they're supposed to be working on Blu-ray/HDDVD hybirds so you don't need to buy two machines to play both discs. I'm still waiting for that before I buy either...

[cwwozniak]

Originally Posted by sockerdudex

we shouldnt have cds and maybe even dvds and jus use bluray and hdvdv

Bah; next you will be telling me I should get rid of my collection vinyl LPs and VHS tapes.