Beware: Rabbit-Ear Lovers

From Analog to Digital just like that!

If you do not yet own a digital television set, you will have to buy one before February 17, 2009 in order to watch your much loved cable television shows because 21st century TV is going digital. Many of our older generation still owns and religiously watches their programs on their antique analog televisions.
This change to digital will most likely not be a big deal or problem to very many people; especially those legendary couch potatoes who basically worship the TV and all its holiness. However, there is that other percentage of our population that will most likely be frantically confused about what they need to do. I call this population the “old folks,” a.k.a. the senior citizens.
According to an article by Market Watch, many senior citizens are actually catching onto some of these changes being made and are already adapting to them appropriately. There are a few options to change from analog broadcasting to the new digital way which is taking over:

“ 1)Purchase a converter that will translate the analog airwaves of standard broadcast pictures to the higher-definition digital spectrum that will generate greater clarity in viewing and more channels for programming, 2) Subscribe to a cable TV service or satellite broadcasting that will do the legwork for consumers, 3) Purchase a new TV with a digital tuner already loaded into it, 4) Do nothing and give up watching TV.”

All of the above are decent options, however, I would go with my favorite option and just purchase a new TV (of course a digital one). The article states that many television stations are already broadcasting public-service announcements to insure the fact that viewers have plenty of time to act before the actual transformation occurs. This new digital era will let Digital TV, or DTV, allow for “multicasting.” This is where broadcasters at the local network stations can split their signal into multiple streams. In other words, one station will be able to carry anywhere from three to six programs at one time.

Hopefully this new change will not anger any of our fellow TV viewers or beloved couch potatoes. With time, those who have been affected by the change, will soon grow to learn that digital is in and bunny ears are out.