Bill would require labels on analog TVs

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Super Bowl aficionados, consider yourself warned. If you're planning on buying a new TV to watch the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts face off this weekend, make sure you get the right TV. If you don't, your set could be dark for future Super Bowls. That's because broadcasters will stop transmitting analog signals Feb. 17, 2009, and TVs that can't receive all-digital broadcasts -- primarily older sets that use antennas -- won't work without converter boxes.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, wants warning labels put on any remaining analog TVs up for sale so consumers know what they're buying. "Digital televisions are selling like umbrellas in a thunderstorm, outpacing all expectations, and the Feb. 17, 2009, transition date is still two years away," said Barton, who filed the Digital TV Education Bill along with Reps. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Fred Upton, R-Mich. "But we should use our transition time wisely.

"This legislation ... will ensure that the relatively small number of consumers who are still using those analog televisions with over-the-air antennas in two years understand what they need to do."

Critics say the bill is a way for the GOP to keep some oversight of the issue. Democrats are expected to oversee the transition to digital, as well as a coupon program designed to help make the switch more affordable. Barton said the proposal is in response to a bill that went into effect last year, requiring analog broadcasts to switch to digital broadcasts by 2009. He said he wanted to boost public education provisions.

Consumers who watch TV by cable or satellite don't have to worry; those who use antennas can get a converter box to make their sets still work. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that about 14 percent of households with TVs used antennas in 2005.

"That number is likely to dwindle even further as more consumers subscribe to satellite and cable service," Barton said. "And under FCC rules, all analog television receivers manufactured after March 1, 2007, must also be able to receive digital signals over the air, so people with new televisions will not need converter boxes."

Manufacturers have been working to make many TVs digital-ready for some time. At Best Buy near Ridgmar Mall, most of the television sets are already digital-ready.

Even though warning labels aren't yet required, employees say they make sure that potential buyers know which TVs will be affected by the digital change, said John Johnson, a salesman there. "We only have a few small TVs that will be impacted," he said. "Some say if it lasts a couple of years, that's OK."

DIGITAL TV IS COMING

Why change:

Broadcasters have used analog technology since the 1940s to put TV into Americans' homes. Digital TV is a newer way to do that. Congress is requiring the switch to give viewers better sound and picture quality and allow for more channels. But without a converter, analog TVs won't receive the broadcasts after the digital switch is made Feb. 17, 2009.

What the bill would do:

The legislation would require retailers to post signs near any analog-only TVs; cable and satellite operators to include information in their bills about the transition; broadcasters to file reports with the Federal Communications Commission about consumer-education efforts; the FCC to create a public-outreach program and give Congress progress reports on those efforts; and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to establish energy standards for digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Converter boxes:

These boxes hook up to analog TV sets to let them receive digital broadcasts. Officials say they aren't sure how much they will cost, but estimates are that it will be less than $100 per box, although some could sell for more than $200. The NTIA will run a "coupon" program geared to cut the cost of a converter box by $40. The program has not launched yet but ultimately will provide two coupons by mail to households that request them. Applications for the coupons will be available some time between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.

www.ntia.doc.gov

SOURCE: Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Star-Telegram research