If you weren't already aware of this:
On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels.A couple months back, I went to this website and asked for two of the $40 coupons for digital TV converters. I went out and bought two of the RCA boxes today at Wal-Mart. By the time I left the store, it cost me $25.
Because we are in a so-so area for broadcast TV, I was expecting that the digital signal might be a bit better than the analog signal. My, that was an understatement! The broadcast digital channels are as sharp and beautiful as the satellite channels! If I had realized how much of an improvement this was going to be, I would have done this sooner!
Of course, remember that if the digital signal is too weak, you won't get anything at all--and I had to fiddle a bit with the rabbit ears to get a couple of the digital channels to come in. But where before I had channels 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12 (as well as religious broadcasting on 18 and 31 that we never watch), now I have thirteen digital broadcast channels. Most the stations actually broadcast different shows on different subchannels--4, the PBS station, actually has five separate subchannels, everything from serious public affairs to Barney.
There's also show some limited programming information (what's on now, what's on next), although from what I have seen so far, there's so mismatches between what's being broadcast and the program description. Another nice feature is that this box has V-chip support, which as broadcast television gets raunchier, may be useful for keeping the trash away from your kids, your spouse, and you. (Democrats may prefer to block anything rated G or PG instead.)
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