HD Antenna Saves The Day! Posted By : Jim Williams

This year, I am even more excited than the last because I nearly wasn't fit to follow the games because of many budget cuts we made Watch TV our home.

Television as we know it is about to change. After TV on Your PC 17, 2009 most U.S. TV broadcasting stations, especially the large stations will stop sending what is called an analog signal to your television.

Starting February 18, 2009, those stations will start sending TV shows using what is called TV on Your PC digital signal. Digital television (DTV) is a newer type of over-the-air broadcasting technology (signal) that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.

Depending on the type of TV you have or whether or not you subscribe to cable or satellite TV, you may be affected.

How Does This Affect Me?

If you watch TV using a roof-top antenna or if you use a a set of "Rabbit Ears" (built-in or purchased separately) you will more than likely be affected.

There is a good chance you will not be able to pick-up a television signal, which means you will not be able to watch TV. If this describes your TV set-up, then you need to take action before the February 17, 2009 deadline.

What Should I Do?

You basically have 3 choices:

1. Buy a digital-to-analog converter box. A digital-to-analog converter box will TV on my PC you to watch television using your old TV if it does not have a Watch Tv On Your Pc Today digital tuner. These boxes range in price from $40-$90 and can be purchased from many stores or online.

Note: To help you pay for the cost of a digital-to-analog converter box, you can get a $40 coupon from the U.S. Government. You can get up to 2 coupons to buy 2 digital-to-analog converter boxes.

2. Buy a new TV that comes with a built-in digital tuner. This will allow you to watch TV after the signal changes from analog to digital.

Please note, you do not have to buy an HDTV. An HDTV is what is a called High Definition TV, this kind of TV will show a superior picture to standard TV's, but can be expensive.

3. Subscribe to either a cable or satellite TV service such as Dish Network for satellite or Comcast for cable TV. If you subscribe to cable or satellite they can provide you with a box as part of the service that will act as a digital-to-analog converter.

Why are They Doing This?

The word on the street is that by doing this, the U.S. will free up radio frequencies (signals) that will help us with public safety communications (such as police, fire and emergency rescue), that's what they say...:-).

Analog television service is the old traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has been the standard broadcast technology since the creation of television.

Digital television (DTV) is a newer type of over-the-air broadcasting technology (signal) that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.

Digital TV is better than Analog TV - switching to digital will result in a much better picture and better sound quality when you are watching and listening to TV.

What Happens if I Do Nothing?

If you receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners - and you do not subscribe to cable or satellite TV - YOU will be affected by the transition.

Note: Nearly 20 million households receive over-the-air signals exclusively in their homes, and another 15 million households have secondary over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens.

Johnny Rogers is a local business technologist with more than ten years of personal computing experience. You can find more of his articles by visiting his website http://www.johnzpchut.com or by sending him an email at talk2john@johnzpchut.com