I don't know about you, but I've been a little confused about the whole digital tv transition that is fast coming upon us. After receiving an e-mail from the American Library Association stating that December 1-7, 2007, had been DTV Awareness week at many libraries, I thought I should look into it.
Initially, my questions started to come about when I lost the Hallmark channel on my cable tv through Comcast. They informed me that Hallmark had gone completely digital and that the only way I could receive the channel now was to pay $1 more and get a converter box. Well, the $1 more doesn't sound so bad but I wasn't sure about the converter box and I'm still confused about it.
I called Comcast to clear up some of my questions but got two rather different answers from the two times I called. I had heard that you could no longer tape through your VCR if you had a converter box. One Comcast employee told me that was true and another told me that you could, but it was trickier. Both thought I was a dinosaur wanting to tape through my VCR and suggested I get their DVR programming which was so much nicer (and, of course, costs more). So then I wondered, if I need the converter box for Hallmark now, does that mean I'll need the converter box for all my channels after the complete switch next year? Right now, even the helpline employees at Comcast do not know how that is going to work and explained that subscribers would certainly be informed as they are.
The switch to an all-digital system becomes complete one year from tomorrow, February 17, 2009, so you have time to get prepared. This means you'll either have to buy a new digital tv, sign up with a cable company for your programming, or buy a digital-to-analog converter box which will cost between $50 to $70 at local stores. Beginning this month, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each towards the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set. If all this comes as a surprise next February and you have no tv reception, pick up a book and read, it might do you some good :)
For more information go to http://www.dtv.gov/whatisdtv.htmlor call 1-888-225-5322.
Susan
1 comment:
Good information. Thought you might be interested in some additional information posted on my blog, RareMedium.org.
I am tracking articles on the digital transition and helping some of my firms clients produce fact sheets to assist viewers in successfully making the digital switch.
KUED / Channel 7 has excellent information on the digital transition as well at kued.org.
My most recent post contains information regarding the DTV Converters for those who receive over-the-air broadcasts from "translator" or "relay stations" -- certainly the case in Northern Utah.
Hope everyone will take a moment to switch to digital TV now.
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