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Do I need a digital TV converter box?

I inherited an older Sony color TV from my folks, a really good Trinitron, and it works pretty well with the rabbit ears I've hooked up, but I'm anxious that it's going to become obsolete when TV signals go all-digital. Legitimate worry, or will my TV work just fine over the next few years until it dies?

It's been creeping up on us for a couple of years here in the United States, but you're right, in February of 2009, all television broadcasts will officially switch over to all-digital signals. Specifically, February 18, 2009 (why they didn't pick January 1 or even February 1 is unclear, but that's the gov't for ya).

Once that happens, your rabbit ears antenna and older Sony analog TV are going to cease receiving anything that'll be viewable. You can switch to cable (because cable converter boxes can output analog signals to your TV from a digital source) or satellite (for the same reason), but if you don't change anything you'll be in trouble.

DTV digital analog conversion boxThe good news is that the government is offering a $40 coupon that you can apply to the cost of a converter box: a digital to analog TV converter box is your third option, and they'll cost approximately $50 each. The net difference of $10 is well worth letting your Sony continue to work in the next few years.

Now, how do you get that snazzy coupon? You can call and request a coupon at 888-388-2009 or you can visit the DTV 2009.gov Web site.

The first 22 million requests received will get a coupon (if you're keeping track, that represents a potential liability of $88 million to ensure people can keep getting their soap operas and crime drama) then the remaining coupons in the program will be allocated to people that don't have a pay service (e.g., cable or satellite).

This program is all administered by the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, by the way.

Godo luck to you. I used to have a Sony Trinitron, actually, but now I have a Sony LCD digital HDTV and, well, it's an upgrade. :-)



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Comments

is there a website where you can type in your
tv make model and see if you need a converter and
which type to get?

Posted by: Melinda Grissom at February 22, 2008 8:53 AM

Melinda, try this page:

http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

It's not quite what you seek, but should help you out nonetheless.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at February 22, 2008 1:06 PM

What D to A Converter TV boxes MUST HAVE:
-------------------------------------------------
Jump BACK- back and forth between 2 stations not in order
RECALL BUTTON
----------------------------------------------------------
LOW SIGNAL - defeat ??
so a marginal station can still be received.
----------------------------------------------------------
STEREO in composite video on ch 3/4?
NOT using captured stereo available at RCA jacks on back??
----------------------------------------------------------
TURN ON AND OFF TV button - this button can be programmed to send the code to the TV, if the TV is near the Converter box.
----------------------------------------------------------
DISPLAYS STATION AS COMMANDED by entering station number, even when the station was NOT detected during auto-search
----------------------------------------------------------
TURN ON / OFF TIMER in converter box? And does it keep the time for 7 days in the week? How is control sent to TV?

Posted by: Bill Neill at February 29, 2008 8:46 PM

Dave,

Will two or more TV,s connected to one converter box work propertly?? OR do I have to get a converter box for each TV. My home has an common outside antenta that is shared by three TV,s.

Thanks
Tom

Posted by: Tommy at April 1, 2008 7:50 AM

In the information on the digital conversion boxes for TV, many brands are listed as needing one, but not Sony. I have not found a cite of the Sony company to which I can direct a question on whether my Sony TV needs a box. I have Sony model KV27546
serial 4101786 SML Dec. 1999, Chassis type BA40.

Posted by: Ken Ludema at May 3, 2008 8:14 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









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