I am still recuperating from more than a month of chasing turkeys. I hunted hard this season, and couldn’t close the deal. Oh well – that’s why it’s called hunting and not killing. While spending so much free time in the woods, I let some things fall to the wayside, since the shot I was focused on so intensely was that one that would turn a gobbler’s head to jelly. But now my mind is coming back to reality, and I can pick up where I left off in the real world.

So here we are. Less than a year away from the big switch in television. Many of you are already prepared, having invested your hard-earned funds in a television with a digital tuner. And many of you also watch your favorite must-see-tv programming via DirecTV or Dish Network. But what about those folks who are still watching their standard, analog television, and pulling a signal out of the air with “bunny ears” or a traditional antenna? Well it’s time they start thinking about a new tv, or buying a converter.

If you opt to just buy a new television with a built in digital tuner, then you have plenty of time to save up the money – and during that time you can watch digital tuner-equipped tv’s come down in price, since they are getting cheaper all the time. The switch will take place on February 17th, 2009. On that day, television broadcast stations will stop sending out analog signals, and all televisions not equipped with some sort of digital converter will be rendered useless. If you opt to purchase, and connect a digital-to-analog converter box to your television, you won’t even notice the switch because most television broadcasters will be sending out a digital signal, along with the analog signal, up to the switch-over date. The government mandated the switch, and doesn’t want to leave folks high-and-dry (why? more on that below). So, there’s a government program offering rebates on digital converter boxes. You can apply for a coupon between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, while supplies last. To request a coupon, call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634 (English), TTY 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish). To apply online, click HERE. Some retailers who carry the digital-to-analog converter boxes may offer coupon application forms at their stores, too. Retailers, however, cannot provide the coupons – you must request one from the government program.

If you are a satellite (DirecTV or Dish Network) customer, then you don’t have to do anything. You already have a receiver box connected to your television that has been converting the digital signal for analog tv sets. If you are a cable subscriber, and you have a box on your television, then chances are you are in the same boat as the satellite subscribers. If your tuner box is older, say five years or more, then you should call your cable company to find out if you need to upgrade. Now, for you cable customers who don’t have a box, and the coax cable is connected directly to your television, you will have to get a box from your cable provider. Doing so will allow you to keep your current television – but there will no doubt be higher fees associated with obtaining the cable box.

It’s no secret that cable companies love making money off their customers, so don’t be surprised to see some fees you consider outrageous associated with their set-top cable boxes. My suggestion to all of you out there who are still unsure about what to do is to become a satellite customer. The reasons behind my suggestion are: 1) You don’t have to buy a new television… 2) Satellite subscriptions are generally less expensive than cable… 3) You get all the equipment needed without any add-on fees usually associated with cable providers.

So Why Switch?

Digital television is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog programming channel, broadcasters will be able to provide super sharp high definition (HDTV) programming, or multiple standard definition digital television programs simultaneously. Providing several program streams on one broadcast channel is called multicasting, and digital tv can also provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.

Converting to digital tv will also free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast airwaves. Those portions of the airwaves can then be used for other important services, such as advanced wireless and public safety services, such as police, fire departments and rescue services.

doodaa

I have been wrapped up with turkey hunting, and this is the first chance I’ve had to post. In a nut-shell, the turkeys are kicking my butt!!! I haven’t dropped a bird yet, but the season is still young. Also, a deer decided to commit suicide using the aid of the bumper on my new Jeep Patriot!!! I will catch everyone up as soon as possible, with pics and video (hopefully successful hunts).

Let me know how you all are doing with those crazy gobblers…

doodaa