Digital TV may adversely affect Seniors come 2009

[AGDee]

So, from what I was reading, the bottom line is that you either have to have cable with a converter box or your TV has to be digital ready. I'm still unsure how one knows if their TV will work or not though.

[Rudey]

Originally Posted by AGDee

So, from what I was reading, the bottom line is that you either have to have cable with a converter box or your TV has to be digital ready. I'm still unsure how one knows if their TV will work or not though.

If you have cable, you should be fine. If you have no cable or satellite and you're receiving your signal "over the air" with an antenna, you'll need a converter which will be pretty cheap and the government will even probably give you a subsidy. You will be fine.

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

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by Rudey

If you have cable, you should be fine. If you have no cable or satellite and you're receiving your signal "over the air" with an antenna, you'll need a converter which will be pretty cheap and the government will even probably give you a subsidy. You will be fine.

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

-Rudey

Most of what you say is correct and we're pretty much saying the same thing. However "cheap" is a relative term for those on fixed incomes.

The TV set manufacturers have salivated over this change for years because of the change in aspect ratio (explained above). They believe, probably correctly, that most everyone is going to buy a 16x9 set. That's a lot of sets.

As for the government auctioning off spectrum space for "my/our" benefit, you have more faith in Washington than I do.

[Rudey]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Most of what you say is correct and we're pretty much saying the same thing. However "cheap" is a relative term for those on fixed incomes.

The TV set manufacturers have salivated over this change for years because of the change in aspect ratio (explained above). They believe, probably correctly, that most everyone is going to buy a 16x9 set. That's a lot of sets.

As for the government auctioning off spectrum space for "my/our" benefit, you have more faith in Washington than I do.

I have 0 faith in Washington so let's get that out of the way.

But aside from that, the spectrum is to be used for emergency services and also Google is trying to create a large wifi network that can be used for everything from internet service to making voice calls. Wherever the money goes...well I'm sure when they provide anti-terrorism funding to some tiny town in the middle of nowhere, those guys can be happy about that.

-Rudey

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by AGDee

So, from what I was reading, the bottom line is that you either have to have cable with a converter box or your TV has to be digital ready. I'm still unsure how one knows if their TV will work or not though.

Well I guess when it stops working and you sit there blithering with nothing to do except if you can work, have a computor and be able to work it!

Yep my Father had to have his TV as about all he could do! Loved Foot Ball Season!

Now every fall, I think of him and watching the game!