Another Movie Guide

The DTV 2009 Digital Cable Conversion – Are You Ready? Or Will You Fade to Black?

The 2009 Digital Conversion is fast approaching, and there are more and more commercials telling everyone it’s coming, but, how many tell you what to expect? I have seen at least 10 commercials in the last week that tell people not to worry. Or, tells you to go to a website that confuses you more than explaining anything. Has that happened to you? Many people I’ve spoken with still think that it has to do with High-Definition TV’s. Fact is, it has NOTHING to do with High Definition in any way.

So, then what’s the deal? It’s actually simple. Cable TV will no longer be available straight from the wall to the back of your TV. This is because analog signals will be taken over by the Federal Government. You will need a Digital Converter Box for every TV you wish to have service on. All others will be snow.

Example: Let’s say you have Cable TV on 4 TV’s in your house. Maybe one has a Digital Converter Box and the other 3 are “regular” cable. ( Meaning no box, just cable from the wall ). When Feb. 17th hits, those 3 TV’s will no longer show a picture. Hence the term “Converter Box”. This box converts the signal from analog ( which will be eliminated ), to digital. Now, if you want to keep your cable on all of those TV’s, you’ll need to purchase Digital Converter Boxes for each of those other 3 TV’s. They range from $40-$85 each. The cable companies would go bankrupt if they had to upgrade everyone’s equipment, which is why they’re forcing their own customers to buy these Converter Boxes. Now, you can apply for 2 vouchers that help offset the cost of these Converter Boxes by $40 each, but, how many people are that dead set on cable as to go out and buy their own equipment, then pay the increased prices for Digital Cable on EACH TV. Have you ever looked into pricing for multiple TV’s on Digital Cable?

You may ask: “OK, so, what should I do to prepare myself, and what are my options”?

Great question! You can do what I’ve previously suggested in this article, or you can look into your options with Satellite TV. There are two main Satellite TV carriers. Dish Network and DirecTV. There are clear differences between prices and equipment options. Both have 3 to 4 times more High Definition channels and are 100% Digital, so no changes necessary when the DTV 2009 Conversion hits. In fact, the truth is, Satellite TV has been 100% Digital for 15 years, and cable is being forced to go All-Digital in 2009. Wow, a little behind the tech times, huh? But, their prices seem to be futuristic. Sad, funny, and true. There IS a clear winner between Satellite TV providers, though. One offers 1 Free HD Receiver upgrade, the other offers 3 HD receiver upgrades. One offers 1 free DVR, the other offers 2 Free DVR’s. 1 is about $25-$40 less monthly than the other. Curious? Many others are too. Just gather the facts yourself and compare apples to apples, then make the best decision you can.

Chris Lamb is a 10 year veteran of the Satellite TV industry with in-depth knowledge of DirecTV, DISH Network, the DTV Digital Conversion, and local cable companies. Satellite TV is just that. TV. It’s not a mortgage, or a career decision. It is just entertainment. Don’t overthink it, just be aware of the fine print. Once you know that, you can feel comfortable making a wise decision. http://www.SatelliteTvQuote.com