What will happen if I don't do anything?

There are two basic reasons for the change to the digital format. First the digital format allow many improvements to be added as time goes on. If you remember the 2nd version of Back to the Future, they had tv screens that would have multi-media displays, you could watch tv, view your computer send and receive messages on screen. The uses for digital are endless

At the same time when the conversion takes place. all the old analog transmitters will be shut off. Then according to the FCC, those frequencies will be sold for use as communication frequencies, use for cell phones data tranmission and misc.

Will my old tv set still work?

The simple answer is yes, if you purchase a digital convertor box, you will be able to continue enjoying all of your favorite programs with you existing tv. If you have satelite services such as Directv or Dish network, you don't have to do anything. The signal being produced is already down-converted from the digital format to analog.

Is digital tv also HDTV?

This is probably the biggest misconception of the whole digital broadcast picture. First of all in order to received a program in hi-definition, you must first be able to receive digital broadcasts. However not all digital broadcasts are not in Hi-definition.

The main reason for changing to digital is that this is the first major change to television since color was introduced back in 1953. If you want to know more about how tv came into the modern age the link about is an excellent source of information.

Have questions? Fcc Q & A page

Here is the official page from the FCC regarding the changeover to digital television. This is the government agency responsible for all broadcasts in the US.

Q & A from the FCC on the subject of HDTV

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html This website will provide further information on the changeover to HDTV

Dvd formats reach an agreement

It seems that Sony has won the battle over formatting for the hd dvd format. Sony's Blu-ray technology has been chosen by a number of large retailers over the Toshiba system. We went through a similar problem when video tape formats were introduced. You have the Sony Beta format and the Vhs format developed by JVC corp. At this time the dvd format is so new there should be little or no problem for those who have already purchased the products.

What's in the future?

Right now Hd is only in it's infancy. Eventually your tv set will become an information center. With multi-screens running simataneously, you'll be able to do your banking, send emails watch multi-broacasts and send and receive data.

One of the main reasons for the change is the fact that analog tv was developed as far as it could go. In order to provide some of the services mentioned above, the technology would have to shift from analog to digital. If you've ever seen Back to the Future II, you see one of Marty's friends with a screen similar to what the future may look like. It is a very exciting time for those of you who love television and strive for state of the art performance. We will be updating this blog as news comes down the pipe.