What is happening next year where all cable boxes cease to operate?
We have to upgrade? WTH is going on?
We have to upgrade? WTH is going on?
Question about 2009 Digital Cable
- Thread starter Tempered81
- Start date
okay, found my answer. So, you can't just plug the coaxial into the back of the ole' Tube anymore.
-------------------------------------
What is the digital television transition?
At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
What is the TV Converter Box Coupon Program?
Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.
How do I request a coupon?
Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, you can request a coupon while supplies last in one of four ways:
* Apply online
* Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
* Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Download a Coupon Application here.
* Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
* Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
Will the transition affect me?
You will need to take action before February 17, 2009 if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service. If you own a television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a pay TV service, you will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the transition.
If you?re still unsure, answer these questions and we?ll let you know if you need a converter box.
If you think you need a converter box, click here to apply for a coupon.
Important Information about Coupon Distribution
TV Converter Box Coupons are plastic cards that look like gift cards. They will be:
* mailed to households with approved applications, starting in late February.
* sent based on the date of application, in the order in which the applications were received.
* mailed on a staggered basis ? not all at once.
* delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
Coupons cannot be printed or downloaded from the Program Website and are not available to pick up at retail locations.
Remember to call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes at the store on the day you plan to shop.
Mailing Schedule
We began distributing coupons on February 17, 2008.
Coupons are being sent on a staggered basis ? not all at once. Because of the high demand for coupons at the beginning of the program, it may take some time for you to receive your coupon. The table below shows the scheduled mail date based on the date your request was received and processed:
Your Application Approval Date
Targeted Mail Date
January 1, 2008
2/18 ? 2/29/2008
January 2, 2008
3/3 ? 3/14/2008
January 3 - 6, 2008
3/17 ? 3/21/2008
January 7 ? 13, 2008
3/24 ? 3/28/2008
January 14 ? 30, 2008
3/31 ? 4/4/2008
January 31 ? February 16, 2008
4/7 ? 4/11/2008
February 17 ? 24, 2008
4/14 ? 4/18/2008
February 25 - March 10, 2008
4/21 ? 4/25/2008
March 11 - 23, 2008
4/28 - 5/2/2008
March 24 - April 4, 2008
5/5 - 5/9/2008
*Note that coupons do not expire until 90 days after they have been mailed. Note also that coupons are being mailed via Standard mail (not First-class mail), with delivery expected around 2-9 days from the mail date.
Learn how DTV will Enhance Your Viewing Experience
The transition from analog to digital television (DTV) represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced.
Digital television (DTV) enables television stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. By transmitting the information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" like a computer, television stations can also carry more information using digital broadcasting than is currently possible with analog broadcast technology. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously through ?multicasting,? instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. Digital technology also enables television stations to provide free, over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television sets.
DTV technology can also be used for interactive video and data services, such as enhanced closed-captioning, that are not possible with traditional analog technology.
An equally important, but often overlooked benefit of DTV is that it will free up scarce and variable spectrum for public safety and new wireless services. This is possible because the modern technology of DTV is more efficient than analog television technology, allowing for many new and critical uses of this very limited resource.
-------------------------------------
What is the digital television transition?
At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
What is the TV Converter Box Coupon Program?
Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.
How do I request a coupon?
Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, you can request a coupon while supplies last in one of four ways:
* Apply online
* Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
* Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Download a Coupon Application here.
* Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
* Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
Will the transition affect me?
You will need to take action before February 17, 2009 if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service. If you own a television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a pay TV service, you will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the transition.
If you?re still unsure, answer these questions and we?ll let you know if you need a converter box.
If you think you need a converter box, click here to apply for a coupon.
Important Information about Coupon Distribution
TV Converter Box Coupons are plastic cards that look like gift cards. They will be:
* mailed to households with approved applications, starting in late February.
* sent based on the date of application, in the order in which the applications were received.
* mailed on a staggered basis ? not all at once.
* delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
Coupons cannot be printed or downloaded from the Program Website and are not available to pick up at retail locations.
Remember to call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes at the store on the day you plan to shop.
Mailing Schedule
We began distributing coupons on February 17, 2008.
Coupons are being sent on a staggered basis ? not all at once. Because of the high demand for coupons at the beginning of the program, it may take some time for you to receive your coupon. The table below shows the scheduled mail date based on the date your request was received and processed:
Your Application Approval Date
Targeted Mail Date
January 1, 2008
2/18 ? 2/29/2008
January 2, 2008
3/3 ? 3/14/2008
January 3 - 6, 2008
3/17 ? 3/21/2008
January 7 ? 13, 2008
3/24 ? 3/28/2008
January 14 ? 30, 2008
3/31 ? 4/4/2008
January 31 ? February 16, 2008
4/7 ? 4/11/2008
February 17 ? 24, 2008
4/14 ? 4/18/2008
February 25 - March 10, 2008
4/21 ? 4/25/2008
March 11 - 23, 2008
4/28 - 5/2/2008
March 24 - April 4, 2008
5/5 - 5/9/2008
*Note that coupons do not expire until 90 days after they have been mailed. Note also that coupons are being mailed via Standard mail (not First-class mail), with delivery expected around 2-9 days from the mail date.
Learn how DTV will Enhance Your Viewing Experience
The transition from analog to digital television (DTV) represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced.
Digital television (DTV) enables television stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. By transmitting the information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" like a computer, television stations can also carry more information using digital broadcasting than is currently possible with analog broadcast technology. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously through ?multicasting,? instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. Digital technology also enables television stations to provide free, over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television sets.
DTV technology can also be used for interactive video and data services, such as enhanced closed-captioning, that are not possible with traditional analog technology.
An equally important, but often overlooked benefit of DTV is that it will free up scarce and variable spectrum for public safety and new wireless services. This is possible because the modern technology of DTV is more efficient than analog television technology, allowing for many new and critical uses of this very limited resource.
Since that isn't going to happen: nothing.
Most cable companies already moved to using digital broadcasting years ago to fit in more channels, but there's nothing stopping a cable company from continuing to use analog cable signals until 2099 if they want.
It's over-the-air broadcasting using public airwaves that is required to switch, not private cable lines.
Comcast has already been phasing it out in some markets (I want to say Chicago). I would assume you'll see a real push in 2011 or so.
bruceb
Diamond Member
- Aug 20, 2004
- 8,874
- 111
- 106
They haven't said it in so many words, but here in NJ Cablevision has been dropping analog channels one or two at a time. First we lost Speed TV ch56 about 1 year ago or so. Now about 2 months back SciFi on Ch48 went off the analog portion. Not sure if they are going to get rid of all of them or not. If they do, then I need to get a DVR box to be able to record. I can set a Timer in my SA8200HD box, and also set a VCR, but then if they are all digital, I can't watch one and record another at the same time. And it makes no sense to tape a HiDef channel on an old VHS VCR .. So DVR seems to be the only real choice (or a TiVo if it works on Cablevision) .. I for one, hate paying a Cable Box Fee & then a DVR Fee on top. It is extortion of the end user in my view.
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