Quick DTV (US) Update
A number of stores are starting to get coupon-eligible digital tuners in stock. After coupon, most of these boxes will cost you about $10. (RadioShack, Best Buy, Walmart, etc) There is word of free-with-coupon tuner boxes (Slingbox TR-40), but I have not heard about availability.
Cable and satellite subscribers don't have to do anything. If you need some sort of upgrade, your provider will contact you. If you have secondary TVs that aren't connected to dish or cable, keep reading...
If you get TV via an antenna, you WILL need a digital tuner to continue receiving free over-the-air television after 2/17/2009. ONE YEAR TO GO.
Uncle Sam is still offering $40 coupons to offset the cost of buying a digital tuner for your TV. There is also a PDF version for those who'd perfer to mail in their application.
When you go to buy your tuner box, there are a few things to consider:
1. Inputs
If your TV supports S-video input, insist on finding a tuner box that uses it. (Best picture quality) Composite (RCA) is second best, with coax being last resort. Don't get suckered into buying $20 "gold" input cables - Dollar Tree usually carries RCA and S-video cable for $1 which is good enough for short distances.
2. Analog pass-thru
Low power and translator stations aren't required to switch to digital next year. If you watch TV from a translator or LP station (usually in mountanous areas or community stations), you'll want to have analog pass-thru. (Just turn off the box and use your tv's analog tuner)
3. Smart antenna
If you get tv signals coming from different directions, you might want to consider using a smart antenna. (Example: Your town is sandwiched between two cities, each with their own sets of stations) A tuner with a smart-antenna jack combined with a compatible antenna can greatly improve your reception, and reduce the amount of adjusting required.
Please note that digital tuners with DVR/VCR/DVD capability and/or HD-resolution output are NOT eligible for the $40 government coupon.
Cable and satellite subscribers don't have to do anything. If you need some sort of upgrade, your provider will contact you. If you have secondary TVs that aren't connected to dish or cable, keep reading...
If you get TV via an antenna, you WILL need a digital tuner to continue receiving free over-the-air television after 2/17/2009. ONE YEAR TO GO.
Uncle Sam is still offering $40 coupons to offset the cost of buying a digital tuner for your TV. There is also a PDF version for those who'd perfer to mail in their application.
When you go to buy your tuner box, there are a few things to consider:
1. Inputs
If your TV supports S-video input, insist on finding a tuner box that uses it. (Best picture quality) Composite (RCA) is second best, with coax being last resort. Don't get suckered into buying $20 "gold" input cables - Dollar Tree usually carries RCA and S-video cable for $1 which is good enough for short distances.
2. Analog pass-thru
Low power and translator stations aren't required to switch to digital next year. If you watch TV from a translator or LP station (usually in mountanous areas or community stations), you'll want to have analog pass-thru. (Just turn off the box and use your tv's analog tuner)
3. Smart antenna
If you get tv signals coming from different directions, you might want to consider using a smart antenna. (Example: Your town is sandwiched between two cities, each with their own sets of stations) A tuner with a smart-antenna jack combined with a compatible antenna can greatly improve your reception, and reduce the amount of adjusting required.
Please note that digital tuners with DVR/VCR/DVD capability and/or HD-resolution output are NOT eligible for the $40 government coupon.