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Buying DTVs

Updated 3:55 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 5, 2009

Digital ready television sets for sale.
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Digital ready television sets are for sale. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

 

Be sure that you are buying a DTV. It should be a no-brainer, but it's always best to double check.

By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory, but must prominently display on or near the analog-only device a Consumer Alert label with an advisory.

Therefore, all television equipment being sold should contain a digital tuner, or should be identified at the point-of-sale as not having one. Be aware of the Consumer Alert label and the limitations of analog-only devices if you are purchasing a new TV or other TV equipment. And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson. Just remember that DTV is different from HDTV and you do not need an HDTV simply to receive free over-the-air programs.
 

Comments (5)

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  • ICON AV Wednesday, May 20 at 11:24 AM FLAG COMMENT New Image Digital manufactures a PORTABLE LCD TV for use during emergencies such as: HURRICANES, TORNADOES, EARTHQUAKES! I purchased one of their units and i am receiving 47 Digital Signals in my local area. Outstanding product! I had to return two units, Harier and Axion. I couldn't get more than two or three analog signals and the two digital channels were horrible. I would recommend New Image Digital to anyone. www.newimage ... MORE >
  • narkspud Tuesday, Feb 10 at 1:07 PM FLAG COMMENT Judy - Most likely you're just going to need to up the antenna ante - perhaps even go with rooftop. There's no such thing as a "digital antenna," but you may need to go with an amplified one. (Radio Shack has some good ones.) In most cities you'll need one that picks up both VHF and UHF. Check out http://www.antennaweb.org for more info on what the situation is in your neck of the woods. Some reception problems will go away wh ... MORE >
  • Judy Beck Tuesday, Feb 10 at 10:03 AM FLAG COMMENT I hooked up my converter and nbc ch 4 says weak signal or no program Oother channels ok. I I have tried differant antenna in every positon--still no picture on my favorite station Do i go and buy a new digital and have the same weak signal? Help thanks
  • narkspud Monday, Nov 17 at 8:42 AM FLAG COMMENT The digital tuners *do* replace the store-bought converter boxes (which are really just digital tuners in a box). They generally *do not* replace cable boxes, which are a totally different thing. If your TV has a "QUAM" tuner, you can *try* hooking the cable up and doing a scan, but you'll only get a few local channels, and that's if you're lucky. If the cable still has unscrambled analog channels, you'll still be able to see ... MORE >
  • GettinTechnical Sunday, Nov 16 at 11:47 PM FLAG COMMENT Question. This built-in Digital tuner in newer Tv's...will this replace the digital converter boxes that we currently have to purchase or rent from our cable provider? In other words...would the new tv's work like the old analog tv's in that when you plug them straight to the wall and run the "digital scan" will it then pick up all digital channels provided by our current cable provider? Thanks for any info!

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