The Digital Transition - What this means for you

This is a big change and will change the way you watch TV. If you currently have a TV with an ATSC tuner, you’re all set; but chances are that you probably don’t. At the time of this writing, not many have them; the ones that do are the ones that have HD TVs less than two years old. 

If you don’t have an ATSC, but an NTSC tuner to receive TV signals, after the digital transition you will need another device to translate the new digital signal into the older analog one. The converter boxes can be picked up at many popular electronic stores. The boxes cost around $40-$50, but you can get a coupon to save some money (if the site offering them hasn't yet run out). This device will go between the antenna used for pulling the signal from the airwaves, and then go into the TV. You should get your coupons as soon as possible; the funds are running out, and this is being written in January. If you wait until the signals are switched, you’ll be lucky to get one.

This isn’t all that you might need to do to get the best signal. When the channels switch towers, they might switch power output or tower location. You might have to tune in the signal direction to where the new towers are broadcasting. Chances are that there will be little change in tuning the signal for some, but some may experience difficulties.

For people who use cable or satellite, nothing will change for you. You’ll still have the same channels you have now after the transition. There is the possibility that they may switch at some point, but I don’t think this will happen any time soon. Switching will give them more bandwidth, but they seem to have enough channels right now.

I don’t think we really need that many more channels. Cable lines seem to have enough bandwidth to sustainhigh Internet connections and all the channels someone would really pay for already. I think they will eventually upgrade, but as a private industry, the government would have a hard time forcing them to upgrade. As more channels switch to HD, the faster the bandwidth will go and we’ll need some more room sooner or later. 

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