The Federal Communications Commission is issuing daily advice in the lead up to Friday’s switchover to all-digital TV broadcasting in the U.S. Some of it will be obvious to BLORGE’s tech-savvy readers, but it’s well worth glancing through.

The advice issued so far aims to dispel some common myths about the switchover:

• Old-style indoor TV antennas will not be able to pick up TV.

Indoor TV antennas, no matter how old, may be capable of picking up digital TV depending on signal strength. However, it is important that they can deal with both VHF and UHF signals after the switchover as some channels are moving location. In older antennas, this will require both the “rabbit ears” and the “bow-tie” or loop.

• Digital TV needs a special aerial

Digital TV works through the standard aerials that viewers already have. As noted above, they must be capable of receiving both UHF and VHF signals, but there are no other new technical requirements. However, because digital TV is an all-or-nothing system, damaged or poor-quality aerials which produce a snow effect on analog TV may not be sufficient.

• Battery-operated TVs are still sufficient for use in power cuts

With the hurricane season approaching, some viewers will rely on  battery-operated analog TVs to get weather updates and safety information during power outages. After the switchover, they will need to think about how their converter box will work in such situations. There are battery operated converter boxes available; viewers can also get adapters for running the boxes from car batteries or other non-mains sources.

• Coupons for money off converter boxes are no longer available

It is true that it’s too late to apply for coupons in time for the switchover. However, the coupons (which give $40 off the purchase price) will continue to be available until the end of July, or when stocks (which are limited by public spending laws) run out, whichever happens first. The number for obtaining a coupon is 1-888-DTV-2009.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 3:22 pm under Technology, Tips and advice.

Read more entries by John Lister.
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