Does the converter box take the place of the antenna?  I'm not an electronics junky so I'm wondering what gets plugged into where.

I may get one and dump Time Warner Cable and their blue screen with white letters. Thinking on it. Have you hooked up one of these converters yet? Do they just plug into the TV and the wall outlet or something?

I have one small TV in a spare bedroom that doesn't get cable but I think I may add a DVD player to it  and leave it at that because it doesn't get used much.  I may change my mind though...  argh!

I am ready for digital TV. We have Directv. They have assured us that we will not have any problems come February 2009. None of our TV's have bunny ears/antennas. Thanks Bob.

I think my husband has us ready. Guess that counts. I don't have a clue. Don't understand it; don't want to. As long as I can watch House which I'm taping right now I'm happy:) Should I buy Birkenstocks on QVC - oh gosh I'm on a shopping spree and every day I'm told how much money we lost though today the market was up. if you like Berkenstocks on QVC they're doing an hour and many of them are really cute and less than in the stores. Jo

JovialCougar said…

Does the converter box take the place of the antenna?  I'm not an electronics junky so I'm wondering what gets plugged into where.

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With digital TV, you still need an antenna. The antenna connects to the converter box and the converter box connects to the TV. Think of the converter box as being similar to a box from the cable company, but instead of going between the cable and your TV, it goes between the antenna and your TV. The converter box receives the digital signal and turns it into analog so that you can watch it on your old TV.

I saw the converter boxes at Wal-Mart for $50, which will make them $10 after you use the $40 government coupon. I've not used a converter box yet but have been watching digital TV for several years. When everything works, it's the best dang pictures you ever saw. Sound is pretty good, too.

--Bob

I'm wondering if cable companies will raise their rates (again) using this change-over as an excuse. I'm currently paying just under $60/month.

JovialCougar said…
I'm wondering if cable companies will raise their rates (again) using this change-over as an excuse. I'm currently paying just under $60/month.

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I'm sure that will happen in places. There are some cable companies that raise rates when the local football team loses.

I just want people to know that they can receive digital TV for free with an antenna. If you have an older TV, all it takes to get free digital TV is a converter box and an antenna. If you live near a city where the TV transmitters are, you can probably use a simple indoor antenna (such as rabbit ears). If you live more than 20 miles or so from the city, you'll probably need a bigger antenna mounted in an attic or on the roof. It sounds complicated but you only install the antenna once and then the TV reception is free.

--Bob

Ready we are; I just laid down serious bucks for a new HDYV, Up-scaling 1080p DVD player, and 10801 HD-DVR. We have Dish Network digital.

We have an assortment of HD and HD Ready sets throughout the house.  Being on Comcast makes the whole thing a non-issue.  We're looking at a new 42" 1080p HD to replace our 46" rear projector TV that just recently bought the farm.  I'll probably be one of those loons standing on one line or another before sun-up on Black Friday.

Rudi

I'm ready, no rabbit ears in my house :)  Everything is hooked to Brighthouse and Brighthouse has even sent us messages through the menu stating we don't need to do anything!  Yay

Both our TVs are High-Def LCDs, and we have Comcast cable.  We're about ready as we can be, I reckon.

We've got rabbit ears, but since we watch so little TV, we'll probably put off getting a converter box until the cutover occurs.  DVDs/Blu-Rays = priority.  Broadcast TV... NOT!

kevin said…
We've got rabbit ears, but since we watch so little TV, we'll probably put off getting a converter box until the cutover occurs.  DVDs/Blu-Rays = priority.  Broadcast TV... NOT!

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Keep in mind that local and national news broadcasts are increasingly in HD, as were the debates and most sporting events. Even if you don't watch episodic TV, there's still good reasons to go digital... if only to get HD.

--Bob

We have Comcast so we're good.  However, we did go out an replace our TV with a flat screen because the TV was changing channels on its own, LOL.  So, we're set. :)