HDTV Beyond TV

[Ensign]

If I got my information correct, in about 2 years all TV signals will be digital. And that the only way to watch TV will be either on new digital TV's. Or with some kind of converer box.

That seems all well and good for TV's.

But, what about Cable, VCR's, DVD recorders, computer tuner cards, etc?

I have not seen (or even) herad about any of those (except for ATI's HDTV version of the AIW card) being converted over to the digital broadcasting.

What happens to all those millions of these that are already in our homes?

And what about cable?

Only 2-13 is the same as over the air 2-13, cable's 14 and above are on a completly difference freq. then the over the air version.

Will they also be shut down, there content made digital, and reassigned?

Or will they still be viewable on our "cable ready" TV/VCR ?

Is there a simple answer?

[gshelley61]

This only affects those who watch free over-the-air broadcast television (using an antenna). Analog NTSC television transmissions will cease in early 2009, so the only way to get free TV from that point forward will be with a digital ATSC receiver (or with a TV that has the digital ATSC receiver built in). Most TV stations are already broadcasing ATSC digital signals now... many in high definition, some in multichannel.

All new TV's 27" and over being manufactured now must have the ATSC receiver built in.

Cable and satellite subscribers will be unaffected. DVD, VCR, etc. will work the same, too.

The cable and satellite companies are planning on going all-digital eventually.

[ofbarea]

Interesting. This mean current DVD recorders will not be useful for off the air transmissions, but probably there will be cable companies broadcasting in analog for a longer period of time...

[Ensign]

Cable and satellite subscribers will be unaffected. DVD, VCR, etc. will work the same, too

So, if I understand you, sometime in 2009 I will go to sleep in an analog TV world. And awake in a digital TV world. :P

But

That only applies to free over the air TV.

As long as my TV/VCR/Capture Card/DVD ect. are connected (in my case) directly to the cable I should have every channel (2-99) that my cable ready equipment receives now. At lease for the forseable future.

On one had that's good news since I gat to keep my 18 year old Zenith Systme 3 (and my $69.00 Office Max 20") TV's for a while longer.

However, it will be too bad for my friend, all he has is a pre digital TV with "rabbit ears."

And nither of us can afford a HDTV.

Yet, if at some point everything does go digital, will there be HDTV VCR's/DVD recorders?

[jagabo]

As long as my TV/VCR/Capture Card/DVD ect. are connected (in my case) directly to the cable I should have every channel (2-99) that my cable ready equipment receives now. At lease for the forseable future.

Cable companies will probably drop analog too. You'll need a cable box to convert digital to ananlog.

[Ensign]

You'll need a cable box to convert digital to ananlog.

Oh Joy

Ahead to the Past.

Another box to squeze onto the TV stand!

[gshelley61]

There are already standard definition tube TV's available for about $200 that have both the digital ATSC and analog NTSC receivers built in. By the time 2009 rolls around, basic digital TV's and receiver boxes will be very inexpensive. There will likely be a government subsidy available for the very poor to convert to digital.

[edDV]

...

As long as my TV/VCR/Capture Card/DVD ect. are connected (in my case) directly to the cable I should have every channel (2-99) that my cable ready equipment receives now. At lease for the forseable future.

For a while. Every analog channel consumes the space of 6-10 SD MPeg2 or 1-3 HDTV. Over time you will see basic analog channels drop from about 70 today to less than 25. The rest will go to additional MPeg2 channels.

On one had that's good news since I gat to keep my 18 year old Zenith Systme 3 (and my $69.00 Office Max 20") TV's for a while longer.

Not a problem. You will just set the 18 year old Zenith TV to channel 3 or 4 and use the cable box. Or you will just watch the few remaining analog channels.

However, it will be too bad for my friend, all he has is a pre digital TV with "rabbit ears."

And nither of us can afford a HDTV.

Your friend will buy a new tuner and maybe a new antenna. He will view that over analog channel 3 or 4.

An HDTV isn't necessary to see any of the new stuff. You will just see the ATSC HDTV channels as letterbox NTSC just like you do today on most channels. The SD digital channels will mostly be 4:3 NTSC just like today. Some will be letterbox.