The end of analog TV

[Amelia]

The end of analog TV

Will America’s favorite technology really go dark next year?

By Michael Rogers

Columnist

Special to MSNBC

April 24, 2005

Depending on the outcome of discussions in Congress, television as we know it may end at exactly midnight Dec. 31, 2006.

That’s the date Congress targeted, a decade ago, for the end of analog television broadcasting and a full cutover to a digital format. If enforced, that means that overnight, somewhere around 70 million television sets now connected to rabbit ears or roof-top antennas will suddenly and forever go blank, unless their owners purchase a special converter box. Back when the legislation was written, New Year’s Eve 2006 probably looked as safely distant as the dark side of the moon. But now that date is right around the corner and Congress and the FCC are struggling mightily to figure out what to do.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6448213/did/7593620

[Dr. Shane]

Does anyone know how much a converter costs? I just bought a new TV last year and was told I could by a converter when all went to digital. Although even with a converter it will only recieve the signal. From what I understand, HDTV can also be interactive, like the Internet, and an analog TV will not be interactive even with the converter. I have much more couriosity about it than I have knowledge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Doug]

I don't know of any convrter boxes, but if you have a decent sized monitor, you could buy the HDTV Wonder by ATI, which is basically a HDTV tuner on a card, for about $150. You can recieve all free over the air HiDef channels, and record and playback programs like a Tivo would, without a monthly fee. But buy it now, before July 1st, because then the FCC is banning the sale of HDTV cards that can record HiDef video.

[CyberGuy]

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I don't know of any convrter boxes, but if you have a decent sized monitor, you could buy the HDTV Wonder by ATI, which is basically a HDTV tuner on a card, for about $150. You can recieve all free over the air HiDef channels, and record and playback programs like a Tivo would, without a monthly fee. But buy it now, before July 1st, because then the FCC is banning the sale of HDTV cards that can record HiDef video.

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I read that article. It says that 85 percent who have cable or satellite cable have digital boxes already. I know my cable company switched all its analog boxes to Digital last year. They did it for free. When I switched to Satellite TV they already had digital boxes. So even if I have an analog TV the digital box will take care of that for me.

It is the people who are still using the TV antenna's who will be without TV. All those Analog TV signal frequencies will be used by others such as fire departments and police and others.

If you already have Cable TV do not worry about this.

[Dr. Shane]

They sell HDTV convertors for rooftop anttennas too. The cost was around $300 but I found one for $200 and they will continue to drop as demand increases.

[Doug]

I really wish I could afford cable tv or even that mini dish. I will just have to get that HDTV wonder for now. Can you recieve 3ABN on a mini sat dish?

[CyberGuy]

Quote:

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I really wish I could afford cable tv or even that mini dish. I will just have to get that HDTV wonder for now. Can you recieve 3ABN on a mini sat dish?

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If you get Dish yes you can get 3ABN.

You get two satelites. One points to a twin satelite and the other points to some local TV programming. You can point the second one to the 3ABN satellite if you wish. You have to pay an extray $11 a month for The 3ABN and other religious programming.

[Dr. Shane]

3ABN sells a 36" dish for about $199 and there are no monthly fees. You will also get about 4 other Adventist channels.

The other option is an 20" dish by DishNetwork and then subscribe to SkyAngel. you can buy the dish from SkyAngel The dish costs about $150 and the programing is $12/month or $120/year. With SkyAngel you will get about 36 channels including 3ABN and one other Adventist channel.