Circuit City nails it!
We all know that there is TONS of bad info out there about HDTV and the digital transition, but Circuit
City seems to be on the ball. Check out this sign that was located at one of our readers local store. It reads:
If you rely on a TV antenna to receive your TV signal please note: Congress has passed legislation requiring "analog" TV broadcasting to end on February 17, 2009. After that date, all "over the air" TV broadcasts will be available exclusively in "digital" format. If you rely on a TV antenna to receive television broadcast and are shopping for a new TV, you should check whether that TV has a digital tuner.
This change will not affect the ability of any TV to work with cable boxes, satellite boxes, DVDs, VCRs or game consoles. For more information ask a product specialist or visit www.circuitcity.com/tvsignal.
This statement is simple and complete. The link is even better and gives a very extensive, but easy to read explanation of the DTV transition. Well done Circuit City.
[Thanks for the tip Kyle!]
Filed under: Regulatory, Advertising
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
IseWise @ Feb 20th 2006 12:31PM
Hooray for Circuit City! They get a gold star!
MHAithaca @ Feb 20th 2006 3:13PM
One thing for which I haven't been able to find a definitive answer. Can I hook up a Time Warner Cable line directly to my new Sony HDTV, which is digital cable ready, has built in HD tuner, and supports CableCard, WITHOUT a set-top box or CableCard, if I JUST want the network affiliates? I don't need decryption of any premium channels, for which I know I would need CableCard. I just want the stuff they give you with the basicest basic lineup. That includes HD at no extra cost, but do I need something other than a bare cable wire for that?
Sam @ Feb 21st 2006 1:21PM
"One thing for which I haven't been able to find a definitive answer. Can I hook up a Time Warner Cable line directly to my new Sony HDTV, which is digital cable ready, has built in HD tuner, and supports CableCard, WITHOUT a set-top box or CableCard, if I JUST want the network affiliates? I don't need decryption of any premium channels, for which I know I would need CableCard. I just want the stuff they give you with the basicest basic lineup. That includes HD at no extra cost, but do I need something other than a bare cable wire for that?"
You most likely will be able to pick up channels 2-70 something (and maybe a few 80s and 90s) that are not premium and/or encrypted. You won't be able to get any HD channels from cable without the box or card. The HD tuner in the TV is for OTA signals.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Feb 21st 2006 1:58PM
If your TV support QAM then you can watch the HD channels that are not encrypted. Here in tampa that is the same channels that are available OTA. The worst part is that they usually show up under the QAM channel number which usually isn't the channel you expect.
ZipperSeven @ Feb 21st 2006 3:04PM
And imagine...this took me almost 30 minutes to explain to my father a few weeks back (who to his credit is a mechanical engineer but not 'gadget' oriented.)
mike @ Feb 22nd 2006 10:05PM
Somehow, I don't believe Circuit City placed this sign as a public service. Most folks go into shock looking at the prices for TVs with ATSC tuners built in, but with a government mandated shutdown of analog looming, folks might feel pressured into buying the higher end sets. Hopefully they are explaining the built in tuner is not required. There are external devices that will work, but somehow I doubt that.
The biggest problem with the transition is the misinformation, and lack of information. The Time Warner system I subscribe to in SC has PBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, TNT, and DiscoveryHD in the clear. No cablecard, or STB needed IF your TV has a QAM tuner, or you purchase an external device that is QAM capable for an HD monitor. We don't have a CBS yet. It is always best to check with your provider as each system is different. Don't rely on posts from folks like Sam, who I am sure has good intentions, but his information is just wrong.