I'm pretty sure the only TV in our house that will be affected is the one in my daughter's room, which I got for Christmas when I was 7. Right now, that TV is used to naptime/bedtime DragonTales/Dora/Elmo DVDs. Panic will not ensue.

Seriously, if you are currently watching analog with rabit ears, all you need to do is buy the converter box and you're ok. If it's a matter of setting it up, isn't that what kids are for? ;) They probably needed to see meemaw and papaw anyway. lol

33girl and all others;
DA is correct in many of his points. As are some of the other posters, both here and in DS posting (sorry I missed it).

However, I am seeing a bit of IMHO or "it is my belief" type of postings here.
Just take the few minutes to read the stories.
The information is there.
And the neither the stories or the situation is all too clear or clear cut.
There are somethings still in air.

call me stupid...

How do you know if your TV is analog or digital? I have 4 of them, and I'm sure that 2 are analog (they are old and are used for DVDs) and at least one is digital. I don't know about the other.

Benzgirl;
I thought I knew the answer myself but after reading your post, I am unable to formulate any kind of answer.

There has to be a list on the web where you can look up the make and model.

What's scary is that I can't really formulate a complete one either -- and I work in this silly industry.

Whether you set is analog or digital is really the wrong question, although I understand why you asked it.

The best I can say is that if your TV set was manufactured within (probably) the last ten years, it will have at least some compatability with the new formats. That does not mean that you won't need a converter box of some kind. Just because a TV has digital circuitry, doesn't mean it will receive digital signals. Digital is used in two different ways here. Digital electronics in a set may be used to enhance the picture or sound, digital broadcasting is a basic change in how TV signals are sent through the air.

Someone mentioned Y2K. There may be some problems, but I agree with KSigRC that it will not be the end of life as we know it. When the digital "aspect ratio" changes from 4x3 (four units wide by three units high which is the present standard) to 16x9 (sometimes called "wide screen") some sets may make people on TV look short and fat and another will make the same people look tall and skinny. Other sets will show the programs in "letter box" with blank spaces at the top and bottom -- much like many of the shows shot in HD or movies already look.

Clear as mud, right?

Maybe the best advice would be to call, write or e-mail your TV set manufacturer and just ask what the change will mean to your set. Of course it is my belief that this mandated change was largely backed by the manufacturers to sell more sets.

But I'm a card carrying cynic.

As a good friend and now deceased TV Chief Engineer used to tell me, "If God hand wanted pictures to fly through the air, He would have given them wings."

T-minus one year till the US analog shutoff: are you ready?
 

Believe it or not, today marks the final one-year countdown of the digital TV transition here in the US of A. Just a dozen months ago, we reminded Americans everywhere that there was just two years left to enjoy those analog broadcasts in their lackluster glory, and needless to say, quite a bit has happened in the meantime. Granted, we wouldn't be surprised to see the date actually slip a little when crunch time rolls around, but there's no sense in banking on chance. That being said, we'd like to offer up a last minute checklist to make sure all your ducks are in a proverbial row -- click on through to get started!

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/17...are-you-ready/
http://www.engadgethd.com/tag/cutover/

The link below can help if you don't have cable and need to get one of the converters. The gov't will only send out the coupons to you when the converters are available in your area. There's also a FAQs section.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Hawaii's switch to DTV begins TODAY. We make the transition earlier so that transmission towers can be taken down before nesting season begins for one of our endangered birds.

I am so glad. I am SICK of seeing those "Are you ready for the big switch?" marquees everywhere!