Best Buy Pulls Analog TVs Off Shelves

[piemaker720]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302943,00.html

The nation's largest consumer electronics chain says it has pulled all analog televisions off store shelves. Flat panel and high-definition screens have taken their place.
Beginning in February 2009, broadcasters plan to stop transmitting analog signals, although people with older sets can still get programming via special converter boxes, set-top box or direct satellite.
The Minneapolis-based chain says it told its stores to stop selling the products at the beginning of the month.
More than 60 million U.S. households currently rely on an antennas or analog cable. Cable operators are required to guarantee their customers will receive broadcast channels until February 2012.
After the first of the year, the government will be making available coupons that can be used to buy converter boxes. Best Buy will sell coupon-eligible converter boxes starting early next year.

New technology coming, good bye to the older tv's.

[joepole]

>More than 60 million U.S. households currently rely on an antennas or analog cable.

This is misleading. Analog cable customers aren't affected by the broadcast switchover, only people that receive their TV via old-school rabbit ears/antennas are affected, which is almost nobody.

[rhertz]

Analog signals are the biggest waste of RF bandwidth in the entire spectrum. This is why the government must do something at the usual snails pace. It takes time for the old incumbents to become the new incumbents, with the help of Washington, after a paradigm shift in technology.

[piemaker720]

Analog to Digital TV: Are We Ready?

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Gif...3748175&page=1

In 2009, millions of televisions around the country could go black when networks switch from analog to digital broadcasts. Although the move is federally mandated, debate is raging over whether the nation, specifically people who live in poor or rural areas, will be fully prepared for the switch.

On Feb. 12, 2009, television stations will begin broadcasting in digital signals instead of analog, freeing up valuable airwaves for both public safety announcements and wireless providers. Televisions that receive their programming via "rabbit ear" antennas, instead of cable or satellite service, will no longer be able to receive broadcast programming.

Here's a update.