The deadline for switching over to HDTV (digital TV in the USA) is coming up soon. So what happens on the switching day if I still have an analog TV set? Will it just stop working if I do nothing? Who sells digital-to-analog converters? And for how much? Has anyone tried these converters to see how well they work? Also what if I have (either analog or digital) cable TV or if I have a dish? Will anything change when HDTV is mandated? Will I need any converter or will the cable company take care of things for me? Can someone please explain all this to me. Thanks.

 

why don't you spring for a dig TV? seems pretty easy to me.

 

First, HDTV isn't mandated, only digital broadcasting. Second, the only people it will affect is those without cable or satellite (ie use an OTA antenna to receive broadcast television). Since, more often or not, thse people tend to be the poor, congress just allocated funds to subsidize the converters:

http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/....cfm?id=247497

 

I would not be surprised if congress extends the dealine....AGAIN. But they will be able to make and sell converters for about $30 will be my bet by that time.

It amazes me how many of the non-digital sets are still for sale. The price difference is not that huge anymore. My local best by had a 30 inch digital (brand you never heard of before) set for less than $400.

 

I work in the TV industry, and I think the FCC actually pulled in the date where analog broadcast will go dark. The FCC wants to sell off the frequency bands as soon as possible, as there's a lot of money to be made.

As another poster said, it won't affect most of us who have some sort of cable.

 

Great...I don't have cable or anything...Just rabbit ears. I hate life.

 

As far as I understand it, you really want an ATSC TV, not an NTSC TV, and "HDTV ready" is not really HD ready unless the digital tuner is built in. Add that to the plethora of other things you need to watch out for when buying a TV. As for me, I have a small HDTV now, and I'll replace the main TV in a few years when it really comes time to make the switch.

 

I made the switch to HDTV and haven't looked back. Its totally worth the extra $ and as prices drop further there is no reason why anyone should hold out.

 

I just made the upgrade because of the cash I made selling my new xbox360. Even though there are only about 15 or so full time HD channels, it is definately worth upgrading. Prices continue to drop and they are now getting to the point where they are affordable.

It annoys me that more stations are hesitating the switch to HD--I understand it'll cost billions, however, I would think that it would be in the best interest of the station to switch to HD sooner to attract more viewers.

 

sorry, not enough programming in HDTV, and the cost of a quality 27" HDTV is still in the stupid expensive range for something like a TV for most folks. Until the majority of programming is HDTV, not very many are going to feel the desire to dump a huge wad of cash for an esoteric toy that doesn't offer any advantage.

HDTV is a nice thing, sure, but totally not a priority for many, many people. I see no reason for anyone to make the switch.