Is This the End of Analog Television?

The nation has decided to make the switch from analog to digital in February of 2009. What does this mean for you? Well, the answer is fairly simple-those who own analog TVs and use an antenna to pick up their local TV stations' frequencies will no longer be able to unless they purchase a digital converter box. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, or your TV has a digital tuner built in, you will not be affected by the change.

The switch from analog to digital is all in the frequency. The digital signal is at a different part of the radio spectrum. This is one of the main reasons for the switch, as it will open up the old frequencies for emergency communications and wireless services.

When a TV antenna picks up an analog signal, the strength may vary and cause the picture and sound to be of poor quality. Sure, an antenna can be adjusted to improve reception, but even at its best, it is nothing compared to that of a digital signal. The digital signal is far more advanced and efficient, so that even if an antenna picks up a weak signal, the picture and sound will not be affected. The picture with a digital signal will be clear without the need to adjust the antenna.

In addition, local broadcasters will have the opportunity to add more programming through what is called multicasting. By using the digital signal, broadcasters are able to compress the information sent through the signal enabling the clearer picture and sound, but more programming as well, just through that single frequency.

The digital signal cannot be picked up by antennas without a digital tuner; thus, the digital converter box was created. This box is the cheapest option available to consumers who want to continue using an antenna. For each analog TV that uses an antenna, a converter box will be needed. Converter boxes vary in price, but average $40 to $70 each, although some cost even more. To ease the switch to digital broadcasting, Congress is giving away coupons towards the purchase of digital converter boxes to families who qualify. To find out more information about this free program, visit www.dtv2009.gov.

For those who do not want to purchase a converter box, you have two alternatives. One alterntive is to purchase a new TV, but be sure that it is equipped with a digital tuner. While this may solve the problem, this option does not exactly fit into most people's budgets, especially to replace multiple TVs.

The other alternative is to subscribe to a paid service like cable or satellite. This can be quite costly in the long run as most services charge at least $40 a month for basic service, but you'll have many more channels than what your local stations can give you.

So, is this the end of analog televisions? Probably.

While analog TVs are not yet considered obsolete with the availability of the converter box, it is already clear that High Definition TV is the new trend, soon to wipe out the old analog technology; much like the computer did with the typewriter.