Sure, many of us have to upgrade any way to keep up with the Jones's, or take advantage of those huge savings we keep hearing about. However, the real reason is something most folks are just hearing about in these Unites States.

On February 17, 2009, all television stations will cease broadcasting in analog and switch over to a digital transmission transition or DTV. Why, well because Congress mandated it a few years back. Here is their official explanation: all digital broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue). Also, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams (multicasting). In addition, some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers. Got that!

Now how do you know if you have analog... well that can be tricky! Sure, a TV set from 1994 will not be digital, however even a set from 2006 may not be as well. As of March 1, 2007, all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective May 25, 2007, the Commission required sellers of television receiving equipment that does not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television after the transition date.

Many people are just learning that after purchasing a 40 inch flat screen TV that in fact they are not digital ready somehow those sales folks forgot to mention that. In some cases, they knew, but had to make a sale... buyer beware! Therefore, after May 25, 2007, all television equipment being sold should contain a digital tuner, or should be identified at the point-of-sale as not having one. Be sure to look for this label if you are purchasing a new TV.

If your television set is labeled as a Digital Monitor or HDTV Monitor, or as Digital Ready or HDTV Ready, this does not mean it actually contains a digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate set-top box which contains a tuner in order to view programs in the new digital TV transmission standard (which includes HDTV formats) on such a set.

Over-the-air digital set-top boxes can be purchased at retail stores. Cable and satellite TV providers also sell or lease digital set-top boxes for their specific services. (Note: the digital set-top box described here is not the same as the NTIA program digital-to-analog converter box, described below, used to convert free over-the-air digital broadcasts for viewing on an analog TV set.)

Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, if your television set is labeled as analog or NTSC, but is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only!

OK, so what if you can't afford to purchase one of these new monster HD-digital-plasma units?

After February 17, 2009, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be able to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television signals, and therefore are not intended for analog TVs connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service.

We complied these main points for you courtesy of our friends at the FCC. Make no mistake, if you are not prepared, you will be in a world of pain when the big switch hits! At this point mostly all broadcast television stations and networks are broadcasting in digital, so both signals are available.

DTV is clearer but still has some issues and bugs which are being worked out. It's really just digital download, so you can catch the occasional pixelation breakdown or audio drop.

I wanted to help raise awareness on this issue, even though you will be bombarded on-air by many conversion commercials this year. So, here are some links to sites to fill you in on more questions and even those free coupons, get ready to pull your hair out!

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program. For more information, visit the NTIA website at www.dtv2009.gov. The Commission's DTV website, www.dtv.gov, also provides information for consumers on the upcoming digital-to-analog converter box coupon program. More detailed information regarding NTIA's coupon program, what digital-to-analog converter boxes will be eligible, where and when they may be purchased, and the related costs involved will be provided by the Commission and NTIA as the commencement of the coupon program on January 1, 2008, approaches.

For More Information

For more information about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov, which also provides links to several other informative websites, or contact the FCs Consumer Center by e-mailing dtvinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554