Oct 18, 2007 9:53 pm US/Pacific
Retailer Best Buy Prepares For Digital TV Switch
by Sue Kwon
(CBS 5)
Best Buy, a major electronics retailer is pulling analog television sets off the shelves. That's because starting February 17, 2009 stations will broadcast digital signals geared toward digital TV sets.
After that date, in order to see a picture on an analog set, consumers need satellite TV, digital cable service, or a digital-to-analog converter box.
The price of this technology has not been announced. But to encourage consumers to buy converters, the federal government will offer online coupons starting January 1st, 2008. There will be enough coupons available to cover 35 million analog TV sets or half the number that need the boxes.
"It's a $40 coupon and two are available per household. That's $80 toward the cost of digital converter boxes," said Josh Humphrey of Best Buy.
He speculates if the boxes cost much more than $40-dollars many consumers will opt for purchasing new digital sets which have come down in price, some starting at as low as $150.
Despite the hassle Humphrey said, "The switch from analog to digital will offer viewers a clearer picture and better sound."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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