The NewsHour Goes High Definition

Your current TV's will all be able to continue to receive Standard Definition broadcasts if they have digital tuners built in (sets over 25 inches built and sold in the U.S. must have digital tuners as of March, 2006) or with the addition of a device to convert digital signals to analog. On February 17^th, 2009, this will affect over-the-air broadcasts. You will need an off-the-air converter that will essentially tune the digital signals for you and convert them to analog.

If you subscribe to a cable service, you are likely to already have one of these converters in the form of a set-top tuner either provided by your cable company or one that you rent to tune the various channels on the cable. Cable is not controlled by the same rules of operation as broadcasters so the date your cable service with discontinue analog broadcasts is up to them. If your old set is connected directly to the cable and you tune the various programs on your old set, you should contact the cable system and find out when and if they plan to discontinue analog transmission. You will probably need a digital tuner from them at that time.

Your analog TV set / receiver will not directly be able to receive programs after the cut over date of Feb 17, 2009. You will, however, still be able to utilize your television by purchasing a digital to analog converter box that will allow you to receive digital signals. The FCC mandate and bill signed into law requires all major full powered television stations to broadcast digitally and discontinue transmission of analog signals.