Digital TVAre you ready for the changeover from analog to digital TV?Digital TV is supposed to give superior viewing for the public and address the problems of interference on the required wavelengths. This conversion to DTV will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other, arguably, far more important services... i.e. advanced wireless (cellular) and public safety services like police, fire departments, rescue squads, etc. Digital TV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the analog broadcast technology which has been in use since the early days of television. It provides enhanced signal quality and reliability, and offers people an improved viewing experience and greater programming variety. The concerns over the analog-to-digital TV signal switch on February 17, 2009 in the United States is creating quite a buzz there. But everyone in the U.S. will have plenty of time to prepare for it. Here in the UK we are part-way through the list of areas to have switched, some parts of Wales and Whitehaven in Cumbria having already switched... the full switchover is scheduled to be completed by 2012. Some european countries have already switched... the Netherlands and Luxemburg being the first. For people who already subscribe to cable or satellite, this will not affect you at all. It's the people who rely on an antenna to receive "over-the-air" analog broadcasts who must acquire a digital tuner to continue receiving TV shows. Most recently purchased TVs are more than likely already digital ready, and equipped to receive over-the-air digital signals. If you don't have a digital-ready TV don't worry you'll just need to get a digital 'box' in order to receive the new digital TV signals. In theory there is supposed to be help and assistance available to all those in the areas scheduled for changeover... let us hope that in practice it is available too! Useful Resource
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