In 2009, what will happen to all those TVs?

[Papa Deuce]

I did reply to the first one. Didn't mean to steal your thunder!

 

[LisaNJ25]

thanks for the coupons like,, I ordered 2 of them.

 

[Charade]

The probably little know caveat about the box you can purchase with the coupon is it's an SDTV (NOT HD!) converter only. If you have an HD set that DOESN'T have a digital tuner (my Sony does not), and you want OVER THE AIR (that's all these boxes are good for) HD programming, you'll have to get an HD digital converter box OR subscribe to cable (using their box) or satellite (using their box).

 

[disney1990]

I think that as people want more flat screens AND you add the DTV box, you'll see more unwanted TVs. The DTV conversion will be all they need to make the choice....

People are going to want 16 x 9 NATIVELY, IMO.

Well, yes that's all they need, plus lots of money to convert all their TVs to HDTV. With the economic situation in this country, I think that most people that don't have cable television or satellite television, will be using a converter box. Because if those people can't afford cable or satellite, where are they going to come up with the money for new televisions?

 

[Papa Deuce]

Well, yes that's all they need, plus lots of money to convert all their TVs to HDTV. With the economic situation in this country, I think that most people that don't have cable television or satellite television, will be using a converter box. Because if those people can't afford cable or satellite, where are they going to come up with the money for new televisions?

There are plenty of people unaffected enough to make the change, IMO. Now if they don't have cable or whatever, I agree.

 

[Kirby]

Okay, explain this to me. I have a tv that is probably 10 years old. I do not have cable or satellite but I have an antenna in my attic. And I do know plan on getting cable or satellite. How will this work?

 

[Papa Deuce]

Okay, explain this to me. I have a tv that is probably 10 years old. I do not have cable or satellite but I have an antenna in my attic. And I do know plan on getting cable or satellite. How will this work?

If you get cable or satellite, you will be fine for digital TV. They will provide what you need. As Charade pointed out, though, this is just a digital signal.... not high def.

 

[Kathi OD]

I also got my coupons yesterday, but won't be needing them. I do think that some of the confusion was deliberately caused by television manufacturers, who of course are completely happy that some people think they will need to buy new televisions.

 

[bicker]

Okay, explain this to me. I have a tv that is probably 10 years old. I do not have cable or satellite but I have an antenna in my attic. And I do [not] plan on getting cable or satellite. How will this work?

There is an earlier thread that went into this in great detail and has a lot of great information you may want:

Are your televisions prepared for 2009?

 

[Kirby]

There is an earlier thread that went into this in great detail and has a lot of great information you may want:

Are your televisions prepared for 2009?

Thank you!

 

[Northstar]

About the landfill issue...

As of January 1st, TVs and other electronic waste (cell phones, computers) are banned from landfills here in Nova Scotia. We have to take them to special recycling/disposal depots.

So we won't be filling the landfills with our old TVs here! I'm glad, electronic waste is such a huge item in landfills these days.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I think to a good majority of people, the change will be transparent. And I believe spending 20-40 bucks for a digital converter isn't too much a price to ask...

Besides, the FCC has already auctioned off the 700 MHz spectrum that analog tv currently uses, so no going back now!

 

[marlynnp]

Right... but I bet many people will choose not to spent the $50, or whatever it costs.

Why are you confused?

Really??? You think I won't pay the $50 but I'll throw out a perfectly good TV so I can spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new one?

That's why I am confused!!! You're not making sense.

 

[Jockaroo]

I think that the consumers who are aware that the changes were coming may be waiting to buy new TVs if they have older sets. I think there will be some very slick ad campaigns and special prices on the HD TV sets come Christmas shopping time. Many people will purchase new televisions during this time--thus the old ones end up in a landfill, even if they are operational. Also, if the advertising is "slick" enough and misleading, it will prey on the non-educated consumer and maybe be an "arm-twist" into getting some to go into debt for TVs they may not need, or be able to afford. This also contributes to adding working TVs to the landfills. I think this is part of the O.P.'s concern. Not everyone thinks "green" in our consumer-driven-instant-gratification society. My theory of course is dependent on the economy not completely going into the toilet, however.

My mom and hubby's grandparents will need the converter boxes for their older sets. We will make sure they get them and they are hooked up. My mom doesn't get cable because she thinks it is an unneeded expense. Hubby's grandparents live so far out in the country that cable is not an option for them. We have made sure they know that they do not need to buy new TVs and will make sure they get the coupons available.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Really??? You think I won't pay the $50 but I'll throw out a perfectly good TV so I can spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new one?

That's why I am confused!!! You're not making sense.

First off I wasn't quoting you. And 2nd off, I believe that many people will use this ast the tipping point as to whether to upgrade their TVs.

 

[Metro West]

I'm thinking the old televisions will replace the toilet as a garden fixture.

 

[mickeyfan2]

There will be a ton of converters sold.

 

[bicker]

No landfill concerns here.

In April 2000, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted a first-in-the-nation approach to reuse and recycle discarded computer monitors and televisions. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs), the leaded glass picture tubes found in computer monitors and televisions, are now banned from disposal in Massachusetts landfills and waste combustors due to their high lead content.

 

[shortbun]

I got the government coupons for the converters. My goal is to have the last set replaced by Christmas this year and give the coupons to someone who needs them. Watching for sales.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I got the government coupons for the converters. My goal is to have the last set replaced by Christmas this year and give the coupons to someone who needs them. Watching for sales.

I saw a commentary on doing what you plan. The "expert" said that now until early summer will be the best prices. Then the prices will rise as the demand increases.

We have one TV that is digital ready and one that is not. The one that is not is not even used these days. I may still keep it for watching DVDs on (we have two players) and never get a converter box. When it dies it will just go to the waste transfer station and be recycled like they do the computer monitors.