Originally Posted by Orpheus

I've been meaning to start a thread on the US HDTV switchover, since it may affect so many of us, but I decided that getting *something* out there sooner may be better than a more thorough writeup later.

Besides, this way you guys can do all the typing while I procrastinate. (Just the FAQ)

If you have an HDTV-capable TV, you probably already have a digital tuner. In the past couple of years, they've even come with the "monitor" (early adopters had to buy a tuner separately). Only people who still want to use their existing analog TVs will need a converter, and only for broadcast TV (aka OTA or "over the air"). Cable, buildings with a master antenna/converter, etc. won't be affected. The converters won't give a much better picture (if at all) but without them, your analog TV will "go dark".

Note the distinction between a digital tuner (for HDTV) and an analog converter (for existing analog TVs).

Congress has a TV Converter Box Coupon Program that allows U.S. households to obtain up to two
coupons, each worth $40, to be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes, if you want to keep using your analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. Starving college students take note (and eat something, willya?) I imagine that it'll be easy to get some lovely analog big screens for your dorm this year, for little more than the effort of carting them out of some stranger's living room. (Well, okay, that's always been the case, but this year, you may not have to wait until they are asleep or on vacation)

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, you can apply for up to two $40 coupons per
household by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), going to www.dtv2009.gov or mailing an application form to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. However you apply, the coupons will be mailed to you.

Or you may just decide to take the plunge, and go digital for the real HDTV experience.

Caveats:
There will only be 22.5 million coupons, used or not, unless Congress authorizes 11.25 million more.
The coupons are only good for 90 days from date of issue and won't apply to prior purchases.
For the budget minded: through I have seen $50-60 converters, the models best are yet to come.
Shops are stalling on ordering/stocking inexpensive tuners, but they should be everywhere this fall.
Clearly timing will be everything. retailers are hoping all those coupons will get used (or expire unused) before the cut-throat competition of the holiday rush. A good bargain hunter may get more for less, even without the coupons, by waiting for the holiday sales. They look to be great loss-leaders.

Originally Posted by Solar Wind

DirecTV sends its satellite signals digitally, with its own encoding scheme. Standard-def receivers convert the signal into analog, and HD receivers convert the signal into HDTV-compatible digital or component analog. DISH does the same thing.

Originally Posted by Craven Morehead

I'm not against the change but it will create a huge obsolence of older TVs. In other words, pollution. What else can be done with them except to toss them out? Some will purchase digital tuners, but for many people that's not an option. I've got a 30 year old Mitubishi that works fine (channels 2-13 only) but as soon as Comcast drops the analog signal, its toast. Its in front of the treadmill, not like we watch it much. But off to the trash it will go, along with millions of other TV sets.

Originally Posted by xepherys

How will the digital switchover affect you at all if you use Comcast? The digital signal goes to the cable box. If you have cable, you are already USING a digital signal. Cable hasn't broadcast over an analog in ages, AFAIK. This is only for over-the-air, rabbit ears and tin foil kinda stuff.