Consumers who receive free broadcast television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners - and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider - will be affected by the transition. Viewers who pay for TV services such as cable, satellite or telephone company television services should not be affected or need to upgrade.
Analog TV with Antenna
Does your TV have an antenna on the set or on your roof? If your TV service is free-and that means no cable, no satellite and no other pay TV service-you're going to have to make a change. If you don't, your set won't work anymore.
Your options:
You can buy a converter box. They are available at electronics stores, and cost between 40 and 80 dollars. Your TV service will continue to be free. (Click here for information on a coupon that will help pay for the converter box.)
You can subscribe to cable, satellite or pay TV
You can buy a new digital TV.
Digital TV with Antenna
You're set. Your television can receive digital signals.
Don't know if your TV has a built-in digital tuner? Check for the set for a marking that says ATSC.
Cable TV
Any television that's hooked up to your cable system should work.
Remember: all the televisions in your home may not be connected to the service. If they're not (and they're analog sets), you'll need to add them to the system, or connect them to a digital converter box. If they're digital TV's, they'll work.
Satellite TV
Any television that's hooked up to your satellite service should work.
Remember: all the televisions in your home may not be connected to the service. If they're not (and they're analog sets), you'll need to add them to the system, or connect them to a digital converter box. If they're digital TV's, they'll work.
And check with your satellite company to make sure you'll get all the local channels you expect. Those may still be coming in via antenna.
(Copyright 2008 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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