How To Prepare For The Digital TV Transition- Part 2 Of The DTV2009 Transition Guide For The Uninformed

So the question is: How do I prepare for the digital TV transition if I have a 20 year old analog TV with rabbit ears and no cable or satellite subscription? The first thing you should remember is that analog TV's just started being taken off retailers shelves late last year. Your TV doesn't have to be ancient to be analog. The second thing you need to remember is that if you already have a TV that receives digital signals like most newer widescreen TV's, or if you have cable or satellite, you're already prepared. February 17, 2009 will pass you by just as any other day would. If you're sure you have an analog set and only receive TV shows over-the-air meaning you have no cable, you have a few possible ways you can make sure you're not seeing snow come next year...

Option #1- Buy A Digital TV

Most likely if you've been to any of the big box retailers such as Best Buy or Circuit City and inquired about the digital TV transition, you've been told there is only one surefire way to make sure you don't lose your shows when analog signals are flipped off: buy a brand new and most likely expensive digital TV...like a 52 inch plasma. I mentioned this yesterday and I'll mention it again. You do not need to buy an LCD or plasma TV to get ready for the digital TV transition. Can you? Yes, and they are definite advantages to this option. For one, if you happen to buy a digital TV, you'll notice a huge improvement in picture quality and two, you'll be able to connect new HD technologies such as Blu-ray players to your set. Being HDTV lovers here at TVSnob, we recommend going digital if you haven't already done so, but it's not a necessity.

Option #2-Buy A Digital Receiver

If you decide to keep your analog set and continue to receive over-the-air broadcasts after February 17, 2009, you can buy a converter box that will pick up digital signals and convert them into the analog signals that your TV set can understand. US Congress has a TV Converter Box Coupon Program that will reimburse up to $40 of the purchase price of a converter box if you happen to choose this option. And if you have an extra analog set laying around the house, you're eligible for up to 2 coupons. You can head over to the Converter Box Coupon Program website to download your coupons, and find a list of eligible retailers that carry digital receivers. If you're curious as to what you're looking for, here's a list of converter boxes that'll be able to pass analog signals through your set.

Option #3-Sign Up For A Pay TV Service Such As Cable Or Satellite.

This is probably the easiest way to prepare for the digital TV transition. Just phone your local cable or satellite provider and sign up for a package. That way your service provider has to make sure they're ready for the transition to make sure you continue to get your service and you have to do absolutely nothing. Except pay your bill of course. The majority of service providers already provide digital and even HD packages if you have a digital TV and want the best broadcast picture quality around.

Okay, so now you know your options, but are still unclear about the whole digital TV buying thing. What are you supposed to look for if you decide to buy a new digital TV? What are the best models out there right now? To find out, stay tuned for Part 3 of The DTV2009 Transition Guide For The Uninformed.

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