The nattering back and forth between major electronics retailers (the guys that sell televisions...) and the Feds (the guys that are trying to sort out the transition from analog broadcast TV to digital broadcast television) rages on. You probably read about the digital conversion subsidy coupons in my recent column Digital Television Conversion.
In February, 2009, broadcast television signals will change, across the board, from analog (the kind older TV sets can receive) to digital television. Some television sets will not be able to receive programming after that date without a converter box.
Now, according to a very informed tech news site, arstechnica.com, Best Buy, Sears, and other retailers are being threatened with Federal fines for not informing consumers that analog televisions those retailers sell may not work at all after the February 2009 transition date.
On arstechnia, you can read about the argument. My advice, make sure, if you're buying a television from now on, that the set will absolutely receive a digital broadcast signal. Best Buy claims it may be tough to make that detemrination without carefully reading the manual from certain TVs. Personality, I don't buy that story - but who knows? It pays to ask questions and get all the facts.
Print | posted @ Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:00 AM