Digital TV

When you first purchase a television, many people do not realize the capabilities unless something is going to be removed, such as the analog signal. The best place to go to check on your television, would be to the manufacturer’s website. Digital tuner’s have been part of every *new* television since it was required of them in 2004. In 1998, they were starting to be installed in every new television until it was required for every television after 2004.

If you’re more hands on with your television, you could always check to see if you have an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC.” In any case, you will likely have tried to see if you get a signal without anything, getting the answer you were originally looking for. Good luck in your quest to find out if you television has a digital converter already or not.

With new signals come new coverage area’s. New technology is being used and tested on a day-to-day basis, all for the digital transition. If you are someone that lives on the outskirts of a major city, and only use the rabbit ears, there are many area’s that will start getting coverage, as well as other area’s that will actually stop receiving any coverage.

Throughout the next few weeks, all the channels will be undergoing many different changes if you’re receiving the analog signal. During these next few weeks, it will be more and more clear as to whether or not you will be able to receive the channels. I am providing you a link to a list of states of what changes in coverage you will have.

DTV Markets

I had someone ask me about every single change that will take place because of the conversion, and it was brought up about how the V-Chip would be affected. Many people do not realize the signals embedded in the signal that your television gets, and how progressive television technology has become. The signal that the V-chip receives in order to determine what rating it is, is automatically embedded in the signal itself.

Once the V-chip was developed, many companies that make televisions were required to provide the option in the menu of the television. The exact quote from this FCC website states “half of all new television models 13 inches or larger manufactured after July 1, 1999, and all sets 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 1, 2000 must have V-Chip technology.”

Needless to say, the V-Chip will not be affected in any way when the conversion or transition takes place. In many cases, if you subscribe to a local cable company and have one of their digital boxes already, they should have some sort of parental control feature already. I hope this helps you parents!

For some time, many of us have been aware of the digital transition taking place on February 17, 2009. The transition from analog to digital television was initiated from our government. The government also understands that forcing people to purchase a new piece of technology that changes how many people live their daily life, is not in the best interest of the average American. In an effort to compensate the general public for this digital transition change, the government is providing two coupons worth $40 that can only apply towards the converter box. These coupons are available between January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.

Here are the different avenues of retrieving the coupons that the government is providing.

• Call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
• Fax 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
• Apply Online
• Print This Application  and mail to:

 
Digital Converter Coupon
P.O. Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000

Many companies offer Question and Answer pages on their websites in an effort to stem calls that they receive on their Customer Service line.  As time goes on, people are utilizing more online ways to get the information they want, and I wanted to bring it to your attention.  Many different companies that offer television are already offering Question and Answer options in order to resolve many issues that come up with a television.  

Whenever you are looking into a company to provide you with television entertainment or phone service, you always want to see if there is a way that they can help you online first. The number of companies that offer technicians to go to your house for free are becoming less and less. It’s unfortunate that things are getting to this point, but, in today’s economy, I just want you to be informed.

  I started this blog to clear up some of the misunderstanding of what many commercials regarding this transition is all about.  When it comes to television, many people simply want to sit down, and relax, and not think about the stress of their day.  The last thing that is on a person’s mind is to go to the store, and see how much the Digital converters are, and fork out the money for them.

   What people do not understand is that if they currently pay for their cable television, they do not have to worry about a thing.  Subscribers who have cable or satellite tv are not going to be affected at all by the changes.  The reason for that is because they are closed systems that are actually supplying a unique signal to the television that allow the television to send the analog signal that many people over the air already receive.  The FCC is allowing those companies to provide the analog signal through their systems until 2012. 

  To keep things simple, the only people that would ever be affected by the switch are those that do not have any cable company whatsoever, and completely rely on the rabbit ears.  I hope this clears up some of the confusion that is out there about the digital transition.

Hello!

 My name is Marcos, and I’ve worked for a local  cable company in the state of Florida.  As a Customer Service Representative, I have received calls about the craziest and most common questions imaginable. 

 I realized if i get calls about these questions many people aren’t calling who have the same questions. So I have decided to start a blog where I can post some typical questions and answers about cable, television, and other related topics.  Please feel free to post any questions you have been dieing to ask in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them!

Yours Truly,

Marc

As time goes on, this blog is going to answer most, if not all of the questions that many people have about television in general.  When you see a commercial of your provider, or simply curious about technology, I hope to provide some insight into some of the normal and off-the-wall questions that can come up.    As time goes on, there will be more interesting things that go on with technology.  I really hope to answer those questions in a fashion that will help illuminate the complicated nature of technology.  With technology continuing to get more and more advanced, there will be more and more questions that people will have.  I really hope I answer many of your questions throughout the next few days, months, and maybe years.