Do I need to buy a new antenna, TV or both for the analog - digital conversion?

Question

I don't pay for cable, satellite or anything else because the few local news channels that are free are all that I want to watch.

I have a regular analog TV and an antenna that sits on top of my TV (the "bunny ears" kind).

Do I have to buy a new TV - antenna - or even both? Please explain if these local channels will be accessible at all after this change.

Thank you.

Answer 1

You will need to buy a converter box for your TV if you don't want to buy a new one. The antenna shouldn't make a difference and the same free channels you receive over the air shouldn't change either. I believe the government is offering free converter box coupons for up to 2 TV's per household.

Answer 2

You will have to check the package or other specs. Some do and some don't. It will be marked something to the effect as being digital ready. The thing most people don't yet understand is that all TV stations are not going digital in Feb. 09. It is only the so called high power major network stations that are going digital. The other ~2/3 rds will still transmit analog signals. This means if you are interested in using a converter on an analog TV, get one that passes both the analog and digital signals.

Answer 3

(This answer assumes that you are located in the US)



You don't need to buy a new TV but you will need to buy a converter box before 2/17/09 to keep watching free programing.



If you go to to www.dtv2009.gov you can read up on this and request up to two $40 off coupons which will let you buy the boxes for about $20 each.



The converter attaches between you TV antenna and your TV.



If you currently get good TV reception, you can probably use your old antenna. Digital TV broadcasts are a bit fussy about signal quality, so some people will end up needing a better antenna.



There is a lot of hype about the need for "HD antennas" or "Digital antennas". This is just marketing BS. Analog and digital TV use the same antennas.



In some areas all of the digital channels will be in the UHF band (analog channels 14-51); if you live in one of these areas you can buy a smaller UHF only antenna.

Answer 4

They will not be accessible without the new conversion box. Presently $40.00 coupons are being offered. Check on the internet for these. The boxes will cost approximately $50-$70 so the coupon would be helpful. If you go with satellite or cable, you won't need the box.

Answer 5

If you want to receive digital channels you will have to buy an HDTV or buy a converter box. I highly recommend that you buy an HDTV because these days they're a lot cheaper and if you don't want a big expensive TV just buy one that has at least 720p resolution. The change from analog broadcast to digital broadcast isn't until February 19, 2009.You don't have to rush out now and buy a new HDTV if you don't want to.

Answer 6

yeah if you dont buy a new TV which recommend but u will have to buy a converter box which could cost a lot depending on what kind tht u get