CETconnect.org

Right after the Super Bowl telecast and right before March Madness in 2009, all U.S. television stations will cease their over-the-air broadcasting of analog channels. That’s right, on February 17, 2009, CET and all other U.S. stations will turn off their analog transmitters forever. It is interesting but not surprising to note that a new study by CBS found that less than 30 percent of the population is aware of the FCC’s drop dead date for analog television. Is that a problem? Well, yes and no.

For most viewers this might be a non-event. For those who have cable or direct satellite service – that’s about 75-80 percent of all US households and growing – it won’t matter. In fact, you may already be getting digital signals on your analog TV from your cable or satellite provider and you can watch them quite well on your trusty 25-year-old TV. That is because the cable or satellite provider’s set top box makes the conversion for you … digital signal in … analog signal out.

In 2009, when we cease analog over-the-air broadcasting, it is true that your old TV will no longer be able to tune in off air the digital signals, but there will be inexpensive adapters available that will convert the over-the-air digital signals to a signal that your old TV can handle.

With the current rate of sales of new digital sets increasing each month, many of us will no doubt have compatible digital sets by then. So don’t throw away that black & white “Spartan” TV your aunt Emily gave you for your dorm room back in ’68. –Jack