DTV…Now is the time
More and more calls are coming into DPTV Member Services from people who are still confused about the Digital Transition coming up on February 17, 2009.
First, realize that the change IS coming, like it or not. As of this posting you have 90 days to prepare, but don’t wait! It can take you up to 6 weeks to receive the discount coupons from the government for your digital box! If you haven’t already requested yours I’d suggest doing it now by calling 1-888-DTV-2009
(1-888-388-2009) or online at http://www.dtv2009.gov/ today. The number of coupons is limited and since the government is willing to give you $40 towards the converter (limit 2 per household), why not take advantage of it!
It’s true that if you watch through cable or satellite you don’t have to do anything. What about the TVs that you don’t have connected to the cable or satellite though? If they’re not newer digital (and I’ll bet they’re not or you’d have them hooked up!) they will need a box in order to receive ANY TV signals. The one in the basement, in the spare bedroom, in the kid’s room…don’t forget any TV that you use! Have a TV in your camper or RV or at your cottage? These will need to be digital or have a converter box too.
With the economy being as it is, one thing you need to remember too, if you’re considering cancelling cable or satellite to cut costs then you need to get a digital converter box for any older analog TV sets you have currently connected to that service. My family has been discussing the possibility of having to cancel our service if things continue as they are. We have two older TV sets in the house and have requested coupons so we can pick up converter boxes and have them on hand in case we do. The boxes don’t “expire” but the discount coupon does, 90 days after it’s mailed.
Why now? Can’t I wait?
The answer is sure, you can wait. Just remember that this change is happening for literally EVERY TV set in AMERICA all on the same day. The longer you wait, the longer you may HAVE to wait if you have questions or problems hooking up or getting your favorite channel as they will all be receiving calls from everyone who has chosen to wait.
A benefit of getting set up now is that you can use the current analog broadcast to help you to “fine tune” your antenna and box to get the most from your digital conversion. Digital signals are like the beam from a flashlight and many who have already converted have found that they need to re-adjust their antenna or even go so far as to move the placement of the TV in their homes to pick up their channels. Once the analog broadcast is gone, it will be simply trial and error. You won’t be able to switch back to analog and see what the picture looks like to see why you may be having problems with the digital channel. Taking the step to go digital now gives you the opportunity to use the old to help “fine tune” the new.
The best reason I can think of for not waiting is this: You will be receiving even more channels than you do now! When you are watching digital TV, Channel 56 now has available Channel 56.1 which is our High Definition channel, Channel 56.2 which is the digital version of our current analog broadcast and Channel 56.3 which is the Create channel for all cooking, travel, arts and crafts and home improvement shows all the time.
For more information about the Digital Transition you can visit http://www.dtv2009.gov/ , the DPTV website, or watch The ABCs of HDTV. You can also visit DTV Answers site for lots of easy to follow information.
The one thing to remember is…don’t wait! Get ready NOW and then sit back and enjoy the excellent picture and the peace of mind of knowing that you’re ready!
Pam Reynolds
DPTV Member Services
More and more calls are coming into DPTV Member Services from people who are still confused about the Digital Transition coming up on February 17, 2009.
First, realize that the change IS coming, like it or not. As of this posting you have 90 days to prepare, but don’t wait! It can take you up to 6 weeks to receive the discount coupons from the government for your digital box! If you haven’t already requested yours I’d suggest doing it now by calling 1-888-DTV-2009
(1-888-388-2009) or online at http://www.dtv2009.gov/ today. The number of coupons is limited and since the government is willing to give you $40 towards the converter (limit 2 per household), why not take advantage of it!
It’s true that if you watch through cable or satellite you don’t have to do anything. What about the TVs that you don’t have connected to the cable or satellite though? If they’re not newer digital (and I’ll bet they’re not or you’d have them hooked up!) they will need a box in order to receive ANY TV signals. The one in the basement, in the spare bedroom, in the kid’s room…don’t forget any TV that you use! Have a TV in your camper or RV or at your cottage? These will need to be digital or have a converter box too.
With the economy being as it is, one thing you need to remember too, if you’re considering cancelling cable or satellite to cut costs then you need to get a digital converter box for any older analog TV sets you have currently connected to that service. My family has been discussing the possibility of having to cancel our service if things continue as they are. We have two older TV sets in the house and have requested coupons so we can pick up converter boxes and have them on hand in case we do. The boxes don’t “expire” but the discount coupon does, 90 days after it’s mailed.
Why now? Can’t I wait?
The answer is sure, you can wait. Just remember that this change is happening for literally EVERY TV set in AMERICA all on the same day. The longer you wait, the longer you may HAVE to wait if you have questions or problems hooking up or getting your favorite channel as they will all be receiving calls from everyone who has chosen to wait.
A benefit of getting set up now is that you can use the current analog broadcast to help you to “fine tune” your antenna and box to get the most from your digital conversion. Digital signals are like the beam from a flashlight and many who have already converted have found that they need to re-adjust their antenna or even go so far as to move the placement of the TV in their homes to pick up their channels. Once the analog broadcast is gone, it will be simply trial and error. You won’t be able to switch back to analog and see what the picture looks like to see why you may be having problems with the digital channel. Taking the step to go digital now gives you the opportunity to use the old to help “fine tune” the new.
The best reason I can think of for not waiting is this: You will be receiving even more channels than you do now! When you are watching digital TV, Channel 56 now has available Channel 56.1 which is our High Definition channel, Channel 56.2 which is the digital version of our current analog broadcast and Channel 56.3 which is the Create channel for all cooking, travel, arts and crafts and home improvement shows all the time.
For more information about the Digital Transition you can visit http://www.dtv2009.gov/ , the DPTV website, or watch The ABCs of HDTV. You can also visit DTV Answers site for lots of easy to follow information.
The one thing to remember is…don’t wait! Get ready NOW and then sit back and enjoy the excellent picture and the peace of mind of knowing that you’re ready!
Pam Reynolds
DPTV Member Services
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