What are "over-the-air broadcasts" for TV?

[Chris]

I have Cox digital cable, does this transition to digital in February affect me?  What is over-the-air broadcasts (I have a pretty good idea I just want to be sure).

I ask because I plan to buy a TV tuner box and some products mention this:

CONSUMER ALERT: This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the U.S.'s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322), or visit the commission’s digital-television website at www.dtv.gov.


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[Gordon]

Over the air is what you pick up with an antenna.  But beware, many cable TV networks are eliminating the analog basic cable part of their service.  It's a double whammy.

So you have two things going on here.  Over The Air analog broadcasts will Stop on February 17th.  From then on you will need a digital tuner, digital TV, or Converter box. And a good antenna.

CATV services are terminating the transmission of analog service too (typically on channels 1 to 99).  This is not mandated, they are just doing it.

Bottom line, don't get an analog TV tuner, it will be hopelessly out of date real soon.


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[oa5599dodge]

If you pay for cable tv service you do nothing for Feb 17.  Even if you have a old analog tv you do nothing.  Cable tv boxes use channel 3 on analog or digital tvs.  No converter box is needed for cable subscribers.


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