How to Make Your TV Compliant for the Digital Switch

February 17, 2009 is approaching, are you ready? Most of us live by dates on a calendar, such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays and whether it's physically writing them down or keeping track of them electronically, we all know the importance of their significance. The most important dates are hard to forget, either a commercial or store advertisement will prompt your internal calendar to remind itself of the upcoming event. Y2K (January 1, 2000) was an easy one to remember, it carried with it all the doom and gloom that we would all be wandering around by candlelight by the end of that day, penniless and scared.

There is a new date to look forward to, it's February 17, 2009. It's the day that all television signals will be transmitted in digital format. Do you have a theory that things will be as bad as Y2K? Well, theories aside, this one will happen, if you don't have the proper equipment to receive the new signal, you won't be watching any television at all.

If you've been shopping for a new television because you don't want to hassle with the new switch then you're only exercising one consumer option. According to a census done on television ownership, most households have at least two TV's. Unless you're prepared to purchase new television sets that have the digital receivers installed so you can replace the old ones that don't, you could be spending up to $1,000.00. I don't think there will be a mad dash for television sets like water prior to a foreseen disaster, but I'm guessing that Christmas 2008 will be a banner year for electronics stores who offer the best price for a new television. It may also prompt you to buy at least one new television so you can keep up to date with the switch.

Whether you have an analog television or a digital one, it's important to note that television stations have been airing both analog and digital signals since the 1990's. Technology has almost caught up to itself and it seems to be passing by those who are unaware of the switch. You have probably seen a television commercial that stated February 9, 2009 was the official switch date, well, that date has changed, and may even change again. Regardless, those who don't want to purchase a new television or televisions may obtain a converter box that will allow the digital signal to be received on an analog TV. If you're unsure about what kind of television you have you can try and find your owners manual or, visit the website of your televisions manufacturer and check by model number.

The DTV converter box will become available in early 2008 at most retailers. If you purchase a DTV converter box from a retailer expect to spend from $40.00 to $70.00. To help cover the cost of purchasing a box, or two, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will be issuing up to two converter box coupons valued at $40.00 each. Information is available through this website, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ or if you want to call the number is, 1-888-DTV-2009.

Since there are options to buying a new TV or just purchasing a DTV converter box its always helpful to become informed about which option is best for you. Some of the benefits of having digital television are numerous; many will see a better picture, much like the pictures that owners of digital TV already see. The other benefits are a better sound and if you've shopped for a new television you have probably heard the difference in quality. Another highlight is closed captioning, some analog technology doesn't allow CC, but DTV does and with a clearer picture it could have some of us muting the sound and reading our favorite movies or television shows, I'm hoping someone will start a club for this perk.

The last option to ensure that you receive a digital picture and sound is by subscribing to a cable, satellite or telephone company television service provider. My guess is that they will be hammering for your business, if they don't already have it in one form or another, when the date gets closer and closer. The monopoly of some companies may be challenged when newer companies are started because of the digital switch. Mail fliers and pop-up ads will be lost in the upcoming 2008 Presidential election and soon to follow Christmas season, so inform yourself as to which companies are available in your area.

Another question that will be asked is if your current VCR will still work with the digital switch, yes, you will just need to plug it into the converter box so it can pick up the digital picture. If you don't connect your VCR it will not pick the up over the air analog signals anymore. You must set the converter channel to the VCR so that it will record.

Exercise your options by shopping for a new cable or satellite company before purchasing a new television. If you don't want to make a commitment to any of those choices then obtain a DTV converter box so you can enjoy digital television with the rest of us on February 17, 2009.