Over the air TV users: Don’t throw away your TVs yet
If you are one of the 40 million Americans that still use over the air TV signals you won’t be watching much on Feb. 19, 2009. That is the day that TV broadcasts must stop using their analog spectrum and rely only on a over the air digital transmission.
To recieve the digital signal you must either upgrade to a TV that can tune in an HD signal or buy a new device that will be rolled out soon. This device will be able to tune that digital signal and convert it onto your analog TV. There is a significant price difference in the two options. The device being worked on by RCA and LG will rung about $50-$75 while a new TV could run into a few hundred.
To help with the forced upgrade the Department of Commerce has set aside $990 million in their National Telecommunications and Information Administration for coupons. Each home can request up to two of these $40 coupons to help offset the costs of getting this digital to analog converter box.
The NTIA will start taking requests for the coupons in early 2008. To get the coupon people must show that they do not subscribe to satellite or cable video services.