How do I make the HDTV/DTV transition?
How do I make the HDTV/DTV transition?
How do I hook up my digital converter box?
What happens if I don’t make the change?
What are my other options?
How do I make the HDTV/DTV transition?
Follow our user tips to get form an action plan for the DTV transition well ahead of the February 17, 2009, deadline.
Educate yourself. Resources like gehdtv.com, dtv.gov, and mydtv2009.gov provide valuable information to make your DTV decisions.
Take inventory. Quickly survey all the television setups in your home, making note if you own an analog television or use an over-the-air antenna signal. If any of your analog televisions use outdoor or rabbit ear antennas, then you will need to take action to maintain your television service.
Make decisions. Currently there are three solutions to make your television setup DTV ready:
- Hook up a digital converter box like the GE Smart Digital Converter Box
Estimated one-time cost: $10 (with a $40 TV digital converter box coupon)
- Buy a new television with a digital tuner
Estimated one-time cost: $100 to $7,000
- Invest in cable, satellite, or Internet television service
Estimated yearly cost: $240 to $1,200
Save money. The government is offering up to two $40 coupon vouchers for the purchase of a digital converter box, like the GE Smart Digital Converter Box. Check out mydtv2009.gov for more information.
Buy early. Most stations are already broadcasting DTV, so you don’t have to wait until February 2009 to take advantage of digital programming. The GE Smart Digital Converter box will be available for purchase online and at participating retailers in early 2008.
Take action. Installing a GE Smart Digital Converter box is as easy as 1-2-3! Just hook up the line from your old antenna or new Smart Digital Antenna to the digital converter box and attach the digital converter box line to your TV. You are now DTV ready!
Where can I find more information?
The FCC and NTIA are facilitating and directing the DTV transition and TV Digital Converter Box Coupon Program. Please visit the following websites for more information:
- www.dtv.gov
- www.mydtv2009.gov
- www.fcc.gov
- www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon
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How do I hook up my digital converter box?
The GE Smart Digital Converter Box features an easy 1-2-3 connection! Simply take the coaxial cable that runs from your old antenna or new GE Smart Digital Antenna and attach it to the GE Smart Digital Converter Box (ANT IN). Now take another coaxial cable and run from the GE Smart Digital Converter Box (TV OUT) to the coaxial input on the back of the TV. Don’t have coaxial input on your TV? The GE Smart Digital Converter Box also features standard A/V cable connections—also known as RCA jacks—to run the red, white, and yellow connections to your television input.
Questions? Support is available by calling 1-800-654-8483 or visiting jascoproducts.com/support.
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What happens if I don’t make the change?
If you are one of the 25 million households that rely solely on over-the-air antenna signals, you will no longer be able to receive television after February 17, 2009. Most likely, you will only see static display on your television.
Unlike television changes in the past, where black-and-white televisions still displayed a picture even though the signal was now color or non-surround sound televisions still had sound even though the signal was now in surround sound, there will be no accommodation for those users not willing to invest in a DTV transition solution.
The three major solutions for preparing for the DTV transition are installing a digital converter box like the GE Smart Digital Converter Box, investing in a new television with a digital tuner, or subscribing to a cable, satellite, or Internet television service.
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What are my other options?
There are only three options to prepare for the DTV transition.
Install a digital converter box. Add a GE Digital Converter Box to your current television setup to ensure no disruption of you current television viewing capabilities. Digital converter boxes are the easiest and cheapest solution currently available.
Invest in a new television with digital tuner. Televisions currently available for purchase from most major retailers include a digital tuner. Double check with the manufacturer to ensure the TV does, in fact, include a digital tuner.
Subscribe to cable, satellite, or Internet television service. Cable, satellite, and Internet television services are not affected by the DTV transition.
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