|
Portable TVs may need digital converter
By Ian White and T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published May 27, 2009
One major consideration if you decide to stay during a hurricane this year will be your need for effective communication from the outside world.
A battery-powered weather radio is an absolute necessity for straightforward meteorological information, but many people find comfort in the 24-hour on-the-spot coverage offered by the major television stations.
This year, however, your small portable TV could prove useless.
That’s because television broadcasting is set to go digital in mid-June. If your set is an analog model, it no longer will receive a signal.
The simple answer is to invest in a new set capable of showing digital pictures, which will cost you from $200 to $800. If you’re strapped for cash or simply love that old set too much to junk it, there’s another solution.
You can buy a converter and digital antenna that will enable your analog set to receive the new signal and display it. It’s important that you not only buy the converter, but also an antenna that is capable of receiving digital signals.
The good news is that not only are the converters relatively inexpensive; you can ask the federal government for a coupon that gives you a $40 discount from the price.
Effectively, that could mean a free converter, as prices start at about $40.
You can also apply for two coupons if none of your household television sets uses a pay service such as cable or satellite. It should be noted, however, the government recently ran out of money for the coupons and there is a waiting list.
To apply, either call 1-888-388-2009 or go to www.dtv2009.gov.
For information on how to select a digital antenna, go to www.antennaweb.org.
You should know as well that many portable TV sets are not compatible with the converter boxes because they have a built in analog antenna/tuner system.
The digital era begins June 12 and you have until July 31 to apply for a coupon.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter |
Comment
|
|
|
