The Federal Communications Commission slapped heavy fines on several retailers Thursday for failing to properly label analog TVs that will have to be retrofitted next year for digital TV when broadcasters turn off their analog signals in February.
In total, the FCC levied fines of $3.9 million on big retailers such as Sears, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy. The agency also fined other companies roughly $2.7 million for violating other digital TV rules, such as shipping analog equipment and blocking technologies such as V-chip…Read the full article
There is a lot of information–and misinformation–getting thrown around recently when it comes to high definition, and many find themselves intimidated by this new wave of technology, so TechNinja is here to set the record straight on one of the biggest HDTV myths.
Read this before you go shopping for a new TV; it may save you hundreds of dollars.
Some people have been spreading rumors that the US will be broadcasting ONLY in high definition within the next few years. Many salesmen have been playing on this belief to convince consumers to buy High Definition TVs, telling them that anything less will soon be out of date.
True or false? The fact is, there is no truth whatsoever in this myth.
On February 17, 2009, the United States will begin broadcasting only in DTV, which means Digital Television. This IS NOT the same as HDTV, and you will not need an HDTV set to watch TV after this switch takes place. This means that to watch TV after February 17, 2009 you will need a TV with a digital tuner. This is the only requirement. You do not need an HDTV. If anyone wants to argue the point, refer them to the official FCC website at www.dtv.gov. You’ll look smart, I promise.
Furthermore, there is a program in place called the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. This program offers coupons for households who don’t want to–or can’t–buy a new TV for the switch in 2009. Through this program, you can recieve a coupon for a free converter that will allow your old analog set to work with the new digital broadcasts. You can find further details here.
The FCC currently has a February 17, 2009, deadline for the transition to all digital broadcasting.
On this date, all analog broadcasting will stop, and consumers will need to buy converter boxes to receive programming on their older TVs.
This deadline has been pushed back several times in the last few years because of both broadcasters’ and consumers’ inability to meet the FCC’s criteria for a successful transition to digital broadcasting.
TV stations must have the equipment to send digital broadcasts, and consumers must have the TVs to receive them.
Learn more about digital TV and the February 17, 2009 deadline
The Federal Communications Commission slapped heavy fines on several retailers Thursday for failing to properly label analog TVs that will have to be retrofitted next year for digital TV when broadcasters turn off their analog signals in February.