resqone, now that we're way off topic anyway, are you still getting WHA-21.4 and WHA-21.5 subchannels? They seemed to go off the air a couple months ago or something.

Can someone please explain to me how this story is at all newsworthy? It doesn't even rate as a human interest article. What's next, a piece on owners of Playstation 2 systems who can't find buyers for their old games so they can afford a Wii?

How very, very sad. How ever will these poor people manage to go on without access to high-definition flat screen televisions? Perhaps the gov't can step in and help them -- instead of a $600 tax kick-back this year perhaps everyone should receive a flat screen TV credit! Imagine what that would do for the economy! It's a win-win situation!

Hannah, Buy the converter box for your locals. I called Dish network (I have it) they will NOT be carrying all the digital sub channels right away, and only from either Madison or Rockford .
Get the box, put up an outside antenna, you will pick up Madison, Rockford, and depending on where you live , maybe Milwaukee. With all the sub channels, that is close to 50, I can get from the east side. (on a good night I can pick up Chicago too)

What irritates me is even if you have a new lcd, just to get digital cable you need that dam digital box. All we need is ANOTHER remote to deal with. And for what Charter charges for their "packages", these boxes should be free of charge no matter how many you need.

Many of you are saying you have a fairly recent tube TV and are worried about receiving digital. Here are some points to keep in mind. First and foremost, if you get cable, the old TV will still work just fine, period. If you have a Satellite antenna, your current setup will work after 2/19 too, period. Its only if you use an antenna on your roof on on top of the TV that you will lose the service. If you go to tigerdirect.com you can buy a converter for $40.01 and the government coupon is worth $40, so you can get a converter for 1 penny. Note that if you have an older satellite dish, and a tube analog tv, buying a lcd hd tv will mean you have to upgrade the satellite stuff too. Many people are missing this.

Also, the less expensive LCD TVs may not last that long before you need to replace it. These are not going to be easy to fix. If you have a spot for your old TV, and you have cable, keep it. If you don't need it, donate it. or take it to an electronics recycler. Also, after 2/19, and when the extra supply of lcd tvs runs out, LCD prices will be high again. It will be awhile in this economy for production to ramp up again.

Basic converter boxes can also be found at Sam's Club. They are 44.88...with Government coupon, you only pay 4.88 per box. To me, that's a good deal!

my car is covered in icccccccccccccccccccce!!!



I still smell like fabric softener

I'm getting my hair cut at 9:15 anybody wanna watch? Be more interesting than this!

lol

gmaof3: She's fine if she chooses not to have local channel access OR if she pays the monthly fee to receive them through her dish provider. I personally would prefer to have the box (we have 2, one for each tv) as opposed to the $5.00/mo. or whatever the fee. After 8 mo. of paying the dish company, we would have equalled the difference we had to pay for the 2 converter boxes ($20 balance per box after govt. discount card).

Some people don't like the extra stuff and that's fine. Guess I've gotten used to it with my husbands "stack" of electronics: DVD, VCR, Dish receiver, regular audio receiver.....(sighhhhhhh) Everyone has their toys. :o)

Hannah, you're fine then, you have digital coming through with dish or cable. NO worries!

52"LCD!!!

gonefishing- I here ya man! Got a 42" plasma in the bedroom! I love it!!!

Hannah.. are you paying for any service... cable or dish? Your sets sound as if they are ALL analog. However, if you have bought a new TV in the past few years, its probably fine. My suggestion would be... If you're not sure, contact the manufacturer's website. They will probably have a Customer service tab to give you info about your specific set.

Again though, the box with the rebate offered through coupons might be your best bet for the older sets.

I don't think there is any way to tell, just because you can get so many channels. It has nothing to do with that. It is the way the "signal" will be transmitted.

Think about AM vs. FM., kinda the same thing. We couldn't get FM and an AM radio.

hannah- Are you blonde? Just wondering. It would explain alot!!

cindi1016: last time I checked, it was cheaper to buy a new tv than to get one fixed! I had one once and it was going to be $179 to fix when I could buy a new larger one for $139.

I am looking for someone that can fix tube tv's. Anyone know of someone?

I smell like fabric softener...

Simply buying the converter box will eliminate the need to pay a monthly service fee to a cable/dish company. With coupons offered by the Govt., it should only cost between $10 to $30...PER analog TV set. However, if your TV is newer than a 2003 model, chances are, its already digital.

If you have children, who have a large collection of VHS/DVD's and video games, these older sets are perfect to keep them entertained. I wouldn't dump them if you can use them. They don't need to be digital for pre-existing movies and games.

I found a great article regarding the need for this change @ http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/20...

A creative way to market our REALLY nice big TVs that are analog, would be to suggest advertising it with a note that for just $30.00 or less, someone could enjoy Digital TV on a beautiful set (note the awesome sound qualities, the nostalgia of a great cabinet/stand....) and go from there.

Also, I can assume, with the economy in the proverbial toilet, you'll be able to get Digi's for a song, after Christmas!

Doglover, thanks for the clarification. My satellite provider provides the local channels with all packages. Didn't realize there were still providers out there charging for them.

You do need to have the converter box with a satellite dish if you want to view local channels and do not pay extra through your satellite company to receive the local stations. Don't know about cable, but will guess that they already receive the locals on their cable and will be fine.

I posted two TVs for sale on Craigslist on Thursday evening. They were both sold by Friday evening. I just did not ask for a king's ransom. I sold a 19" for $25 and 27" for $35.

The televisions will not require a converter box if you are a cable or satellite customer.

There is a small niche of high-definition digital tube televisions, but the move to LCD and plasma screens has been obvious for a couple of years now. Also, any TV sold before a couple of years ago may need a converter box to receive a signal anyway (unless you only use it with a VCR/DVD player). The broadcast changeover is in February.

The reasons those units have not sold is not the economy, it is the price. We bought a huge 36 inch tube (Panasonic PIP) with stand for $75 from a couple who were getting married and consolidating. The stuff was like brand new.

ECHO is more than a food pantry. Many services are offered there.
I know there is a program where they have a list of people needing certain large items (furniture and appliances) and they match up people who have these items to donate. They do not take the items at the office, so do not take them there looking to leave them. Call the office and see if there is a need for the item you are looking to donate.
As armyof3 says, there are many organizations around that will accept the donations, I just don't have a list myself.

ECHO is a food pantry, but they do have a list of people looking for electronics/appliances, if I'm not mistaken... but who says that it has to be ECHO specifically?? there are other charitable organizations, or even schools, there that people can donate to...

For those discussing donating, I know that the thrift store in Edgerton accepts electrical/electronic items.

I know echo takes fridges, washers, dryers, stoves, so maybe tv's?

One guy says that if it doesn't sell he'll "run it until it dies." The next guys says "it's not too frustrating. I still use it." And the third person says it's an "extra TV sitting downstairs" and "I'm not going to stress over it."

So exactly who is crying and BOO HOOing because they can't get a flat screen, lulu. Not one person quoted made any comment even remotely suggesting that.

Unless the policy has changed, ECHO can't accept donations of electrical items. No TVs, microwaves, etc. At least that was the policy back when ECHO "store" was still located in a church.

good point luluberry...
.
why don't they think of donating it to a good cause... just because they are unable to find someone to buy these things doesn't mean that there are others out there that don't have the luxury of even owning a tv?? think of those in need, not of what you want... after all, 'tis the season for sharing and caring...

It's sad really. Where people are losing jobs and not being able to keep their houses or buy presents for their children, there are these people who are crying because they can't get a flat screen.... BOO HOO

A brand new 27" TV could be had at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago for under $100.