The United States is scheduled to shut off over-the-air analog television broadcasts on February 17, 2009, which means folks who rely on over-the-air television reception need to either acquire a new digital-capable TV, get a converter box for their existing analog TV so they can get new digital TV signals, switch to a service like satellite or cable…or get used to looking at a whole lot of snow.
So far, American consumers seem remarkably uninformed about the pending switchover to digital television, but the help them along, leading electronics retailer Best Buy has announced it has stopped selling analog televisions, pulling all remaining analog TVs from their retail shelves and offering only digital-capable TVs. The company will also offer converter boxes to let owners of existing analog TVs tune into digital signals, and, beginning in 2008, it will also begin offering digital TV convert boxes that are eligible for discounted purchase via the NTIA DTV Converter Box Coupon Program. The coupons offer a $40 discount toward the purchase of a DTV converter box, and are intended to help low-income and otherwise disadvantaged consumers transition to digital television.
“We are committed to helping people understand the digital television transition, and exiting the analog video business is one way we can help avoid confusion,” said Best Buy senior VP of electronics Mike Vitelli. “Customers can now be sure that any television they purchase at Best Buy will be fully compliant with the digital television transition. And for customers who aren’t in the market for a new television, we can help you find the best solution to meet your needs.”
Folks who are looking to get the most mileage out of analog TVs without buying a digital converter box might look to cable: with a few exceptions for smaller operators, the FCC has mandated U.S. cable systems offer analog television signals through 2012.
