Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

On Jan 31, 2:20�pm, wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05�pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

On Jan 31, 3:27*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?

Mikepier wrote:
....

If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?

Not at present...there's been no clear decision rendered on what the
mechanics are going to be I've seen on whatever added funding there may
eventually be. At present, new requests already in the queue are being
honored only as previously issued ones that haven't been utilized
expire. There apparently is quite some delay in determining whether one
is actually expired and unused, however...

--

dpb wrote:
Mikepier wrote:
...

If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?

Not at present...there's been no clear decision rendered on what the
mechanics are going to be I've seen on whatever added funding there may
eventually be. At present, new requests already in the queue are being
honored only as previously issued ones that haven't been utilized
expire. There apparently is quite some delay in determining whether one
is actually expired and unused, however...

--

About a year after the switch really happens, I'm thinking
there will be a lot of used converters for sale for just a
few bucks. There will be a lot of converter box users that
will buy widescreens as prices fall.

Also, you don't need a television to use a converter box,
anything that has an rs-170 input and sound input will work.
The converter box is a tv, less the display and speaker.
I'm feeding one of our converters composite video into an
old pci ntsc card and the left/right sound into the cd rom
connector. I expect to bring out the video and sound leads
on an old $20 5" b/w portable tv, unless I find a cheap lcd
video player that has a composite input. The bare converter
board will even fit in the old 5" portable case next to the
D cell battery compartment. And it will now have a remote
control to boot.

Time to be a little creative. You can find new usb2 atsc
sticks on sale for $25-30, if the rebate pays out. ;-) You
can also put dtv sound in your car for $40, if your auto
radio has ipod or cd player jacks.

Think outside the box.

--larry / dallas

On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:43:21 -0800 (PST), Mikepier
wrote:

On Jan 31, 3:27*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?

I'm sure not. They had dates on them. I only used one, and when I
called in to get another, they knew they had sent me two, but didn't
seem to know I hadn't used the second.

Those who want more issued says that would be better than extending
the exp. date on ones already issued. I don't know why, but that is
what even the ones who want more issued say.

I only used one, because I wasn't impressed with the boxes. Since
then, I've found two models at an indepenedent store and would like to
buy my second converter. But if I can't get a coupon, there is no
rush. And if I can get a new coupon, it will probably expire while
I'm on a long business trip this spring.

wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:43:21 -0800 (PST), Mikepier
wrote:

On Jan 31, 3:27 pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.
But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.
It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.
All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.
the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program
If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?

Take the coupon to Best Buy and find one of the illiterate 20 year
olds that work the sales floor. (Most of them are illiterate high
school dropouts, so it wont be hard to find one). Get into a
conversation with this kid about things that would appeal to him, such
as boobs, tits, pussies, rap music and narcotics. Then in the middle
of that conversation choose the most expensive tv in the store and
tell him you want to buy one of them. Get him all worked up thinking
he is going to make a big sale and lots of money and benefits from his
boss. Tell him you will be back when you get your tax return and you
will buy two of them, one for yourself and one for your girlfriend,
who happens to be a nude model for a top shelf porn magazine, and
begin to tell him all about yourself who of course was in that
magazine naked. Then pull out a photo of a really attractive woman
(which you downloaded), and show it to him. About the exact second he
puts his hands down his pants (to wiggle the worm), grab a DTV
converter off the shelf and tell him that you want that for now, and
you got to go because your girlfriend requires sex at exactly 6pm (or
whatever time is approaching). Hand him your credit card and the DTV
coupon, and tell him to please hurry so you are not late.

With any luck, he wont even notice the expiration date. His mind will
be focused in the erection in his pants. If by chance he does notice,
tell his that his calendar must be wrong, and pull out your PDA (which
you set a month before the coupon expiration date before you entered
the store). Explain to him that he must have lost track of time and
it really IS November 16, 2008. At that time ask him what he plans to
do for Thanksgiving, and immediately tell him to please hurry, your
girlfriend will be very upset she is not given sex at precisely 6pm,.
and begin breathing very fast and hard. You'll be out the door in no
time and you saved $40.

The idiot kid WILL accept the coupon. Guaranteed !



other than the fact that the coupons are scanned and
validated real time. the idiot kid will happily hand it
back to you.

-l

larry wrote in
:

wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 12:43:21 -0800 (PST), Mikepier
wrote:

On Jan 31, 3:27 pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is
doomed whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I
believe. Obviously we won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV
set. But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a
Prism digital LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether
this one would also require a converter box -- or how could I
tell. It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.
All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner
built-in. The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few
years ago and included even the smallest for maybe the last 2
years or so.
the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program
If you have an expired coupon from the govt, is it still honored?



other than the fact that the coupons are scanned and
validated real time. the idiot kid will happily hand it
back to you.

-l


has anyone actually TRIED to use a expired coupon?

BTW,the Digital Prism is clearly marked "ATSC Television" right on the
front of the TV. CVS has them on sale for $100.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

wrote:
(BS story snipped)

ember 16, 2008. At that time ask him what he plans to
do for Thanksgiving, and immediately tell him to please hurry, your
girlfriend will be very upset she is not given sex at precisely 6pm,.
and begin breathing very fast and hard. You'll be out the door in no
time and you saved $40.

The idiot kid WILL accept the coupon. Guaranteed !


Uh, the expiration date is in the MAG STRIPE on the card. Basically, the
thing works just like a gift card. Expired cards will not work- the
cash register will just laugh at you.

--
aem sends...

On Jan 31, 2:27*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

And 66 or so % of converter boxes are second rate, In Fact no locals
sell 1st rate that I see. Its all online.

On Jan 31, 2:27*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

There are good and crap boxes, Target sells mid road and crap rated.
A box is not a box in equal. Just like phones

On Jan 31, 5:31*pm, ransley wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:27*pm, " wrote:





On Jan 31, 2:20 pm, wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05 pm, "Ray" wrote:

Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

the converter boxes are cheap, recently target had them on sale for
$40.01

one cent over the coupon program

There are good and crap boxes, Target sells mid road and crap rated.
A box is not a box in equal. Just like phones- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Wake up bubba butts-

On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.

The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

Absolutely not. I've seen non-digital tvs up to 15 inches in the
stores this year. They were however labeled that they would require a
converter or something to receive digital signals.

These tvs still work with converters, cable, and satellite. That's
the vast majority of America. Let the manufacturers change over their
production as they see fit. Just don't mislead consumers.

On Jan 31, 10:17*pm, mm wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. * And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. *But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.



So says you. The FCC says otherwise:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...mz1b5bray.html

"March 5, 2007

Many Americans don't understand digital TV, but they no longer can buy
the old analog technology it replaces, thanks to a federal mandate
that recently kicked in.

All new television sets designed to receive over-the-air signals must
now contain a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, not just
the old-style analog signals we have relied on for the past half-
century.

The March 1 mandate covers smaller sets, the last bastion of all-
analog technology. "


So, as I stated, for about 2 years now, ALL TVs manufactured for sale
in the USA must have an ATSC tuner. Yeah, you might find some TV
somewhere that was built prior to Mar 2007, but the chances of that
are small, unless it's some refurbished piece of crap.

I don't understand why this question even needs to be asked. All one
has to do is read the box.






The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

Absolutely not. *I've seen non-digital tvs up to 15 inches in the
stores this year. *They were however labeled that they would require a
converter or something to receive digital signals.

These tvs still work with converters, cable, and satellite. *That's
the vast majority of America. *Let the manufacturers change over their
production as they see fit. *Just don't mislead consumers.

On Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:29:43 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Jan 31, 10:17*pm, mm wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. * And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. *But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.



So says you. The FCC says otherwise:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...mz1b5bray.html

"March 5, 2007

Many Americans don't understand digital TV, but they no longer can buy
the old analog technology it replaces, thanks to a federal mandate
that recently kicked in.

All new television sets designed to receive over-the-air signals must
now contain a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, not just
the old-style analog signals we have relied on for the past half-
century.

The March 1 mandate covers smaller sets, the last bastion of all-
analog technology. "


So, as I stated, for about 2 years now, ALL TVs manufactured for sale
in the USA must have an ATSC tuner. Yeah, you might find some TV
somewhere that was built prior to Mar 2007, but the chances of that
are small, unless it's some refurbished piece of crap.


Walmart has non-digital sets on their website. They also sell at least
one set that is "Digital" but has not passed testing for compatibility
with the new system.

On Feb 1, 8:39*am, wrote:
On Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:29:43 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 10:17*pm, mm wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. * And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. *But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.

So says you. * The FCC says otherwise:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...mz1b5bray.html

"March 5, 2007

Many Americans don't understand digital TV, but they no longer can buy
the old analog technology it replaces, thanks to a federal mandate
that recently kicked in.

All new television sets designed to receive over-the-air signals must
now contain a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, not just
the old-style analog signals we have relied on for the past half-
century.

The March 1 mandate covers smaller sets, the last bastion of all-
analog technology. "

So, as I stated, for about 2 years now, ALL TVs manufactured for sale
in the USA must have an ATSC tuner. * Yeah, you might find some TV
somewhere that was built prior to Mar 2007, but the chances of that
are small, unless it's some refurbished piece of crap.

Walmart has non-digital sets on their website. They also sell at least
one set that is "Digital" but has not passed testing for compatibility
with the new system.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Care to provide us with a link so we don't all have to go search
through 100 tv's?

On Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:29:43 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Jan 31, 10:17*pm, mm wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. * And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. *But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.



So says you. The FCC says otherwise:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...mz1b5bray.html

But this isn't the FCC, it's signon sandiego.

"March 5, 2007

Many Americans don't understand digital TV, but they no longer can buy
the old analog technology it replaces,

Maybe it's even illegal to sell it, but it's still for sale.

thanks to a federal mandate
that recently kicked in.

All new television sets designed to receive over-the-air signals must
now contain a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, not just
the old-style analog signals we have relied on for the past half-
century.

The March 1 mandate covers smaller sets, the last bastion of all-
analog technology. "

Well, somehow it's wrong. Even if for the sake of argument it is
illegal to sell analog sets, they are still selling them.

So, as I stated, for about 2 years now, ALL TVs manufactured for sale

This might be true, but in the first post you said "All tv's sold in
the US". A big difference. Who knows how big the unsold inventory
of analog tv's is.

in the USA must have an ATSC tuner. Yeah, you might find some TV
somewhere that was built prior to Mar 2007, but the chances of that
are small, unless it's some refurbished piece of crap.

He said he was shopping at a discount house. (And I'm pretty sure
the ones I saw were also at Target, like Salty says. Maybe they bought
a big bunch of them somewhere. There are loads of seconds, odd-lots,
unsold lots, leftovers, of all sorts of things. Certain stores
specialize in them (although often mixing them with cheap shlock that
isn't a bargain), and others sell them sometimes.)

I don't understand why this question even needs to be asked. All one
has to do is read the box.

The problem with that is that box writers are very good at being
misleading. Do you remember when iiuc lots of tvs were called
cable-compatible, even though they still required a cable box to
receive stations. IIUC, all tvs including the ones from the 1950's
were cable-compatible by that standard.

I wanted some food that didn't need refrigeration and saw that
Bumblebee Tuna had bags like that. One of their 3 similar packages
showed something wrapped up in what looked like baloney, but might
have been made out of tuna. I thought that might be a "serving
suggestion", so I looked further and the bag said "wraps". So I
bought it. I haven't opened the bag yet, but now I see the words are
in a circle, with a big banner in the middlle separating "Good for"
from "Wraps". So it's just the same chopped tuna fish with a
different flavor from the other two bags. And the other two were
just as suitable for wraps. It's only $1.50, but I have to remember
to bring a fork and not think I can hold it by a wrapper that it
doesnt have.






The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

Absolutely not. *I've seen non-digital tvs up to 15 inches in the
stores this year. *They were however labeled that they would require a
converter or something to receive digital signals.

These tvs still work with converters, cable, and satellite. *That's
the vast majority of America. *Let the manufacturers change over their
production as they see fit. *Just don't mislead consumers.

On Feb 1, 11:16*am, mm wrote:
On Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:29:43 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 10:17*pm, mm wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:20:25 -0800 (PST), wrote:
On Jan 31, 2:05*pm, "Ray" wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed whenever
TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we won't get a
$100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital

If it says digital on it, that should mean that it's digital. * And it
probably does, but read the box carefully, plug it in when you get
home and make sure it gets digital stations.

LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also require
a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.

Not true. *But they do have to be labeled if they won't receive
digital.

So says you. * The FCC says otherwise:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...mz1b5bray.html

But this isn't the FCC, it's signon sandiego.


It's an article from the March 5, 2005 Boston Globe. I remember the
reqt to phase-in ATSC tuners very well. It started with a date, maybe
around 2005 for the largest sets and worked it's way down in size over
time. I also provided another link here in the thread to a broadcast
engineering site that says the same thing. Kurt provided another
link. So, now what? You want to question the accuracy of the Boston
Globe and the other sources? And your source, other than your own
opinion would be?






"March 5, 2007

Many Americans don't understand digital TV, but they no longer can buy
the old analog technology it replaces,

Maybe it's even illegal to sell it, but it's still for sale.

thanks to a federal mandate
that recently kicked in.

All new television sets designed to receive over-the-air signals must
now contain a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, not just
the old-style analog signals we have relied on for the past half-
century.

The March 1 mandate covers smaller sets, the last bastion of all-
analog technology. "

Well, somehow it's wrong. * Even if for the sake of argument it is
illegal to sell analog sets, they are still selling them.


So far, the only one that appears to be selling them is Target. They
are not taking orders online, but do say they have stock in some
stores. If you have any other examples, I'd like to see them.






So, as I stated, for about 2 years now, ALL TVs manufactured for sale

This might be true, but in the first post you said "All tv's sold in
the US". * A big difference. * Who knows how big the unsold inventory
of analog tv's is. *

Yes, that's true. I mistated it. But interestingly, it's beyond
manufactured. According to the link Kurt provided, the FCC order bans
the importation or interstate shipment of TVs without an ATSC tuner
after Mar 2007.

Knowing how the consumer electronics biz works, would you expect to
find sets that haven't been shipped for 2 years still on the shelf?
Yeah, you might find some exception, which apparently the Target case
is. IIf you have others that you know of, I'd be happy to see them.




in the USA must have an ATSC tuner. * Yeah, you might find some TV
somewhere that was built prior to Mar 2007, but the chances of that
are small, unless it's some refurbished piece of crap.

He said he was shopping at a discount house. * (And I'm pretty sure
the ones I saw were also at Target, like Salty says. Maybe they bought
a big bunch of them somewhere. *There are loads of seconds, odd-lots,
unsold lots, leftovers, of all sorts of things. Certain stores
specialize in them (although often mixing them with cheap shlock that
isn't a bargain), and others sell them sometimes.)

Stores could buy them, but they couldn't legally ship them interstate
for the last 2 years. That would seem to severly limit what you might
find in the retail channel.





I don't understand why this question even needs to be asked. *All one
has to do is read the box.

The problem with that is that box writers are very good at being
misleading. *Do you remember when iiuc lots of tvs were called
cable-compatible, even though they still required a cable box to
receive stations. * IIUC, all tvs including the ones from the 1950's
were cable-compatible by that standard.

Nonsense. The boxes will state if they have an ATSC tuner. In
fact, another specific reqt of the FCC is that those TV without ATSC
that have been sold in the last 2 years MUST have a specific warning
that they are not DTV compatible. Besides, a retailer would be
pretty stupid to sell crap that they are going to have to take back.





I wanted some food that didn't need refrigeration and saw that
Bumblebee Tuna had bags like that. One of their 3 similar packages
showed something wrapped up in what looked like baloney, but might
have been made out of tuna. * I thought that might be a "serving
suggestion", so I looked further and the bag said "wraps". *So I
bought it. *I haven't opened the bag yet, but now I see the words are
in a circle, with a big banner in the middlle separating "Good for"
from "Wraps". * So it's just the same chopped tuna fish with a
different flavor from the other two bags. * * And the other two were
just as suitable for wraps. *It's only $1.50, but I have to remember
to bring a fork and not think I can hold it by a wrapper that it
doesnt have.





The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

Absolutely not. *I've seen non-digital tvs up to 15 inches in the
stores this year. *They were however labeled that they would require a
converter or something to receive digital signals.


Absolutely not what? The freaking FCC started this phase-in about 4
years ago. It's a fact. It started with the largest TV and worked
it's way down. Since Mar 2005 all TV's have been included, which
means you can't manufacture them, import them, ship them interstate.

So, you saw some leftovers. Maybe they were refurbished, so what?
Hmmm, doesn't the fact that they were clearly labeled go completely
opposite to your whine above?





These tvs still work with converters, cable, and satellite. *That's
the vast majority of America. *Let the manufacturers change over their
production as they see fit. *Just don't mislead consumers.- Hide quoted


One more time: The FCC mandated the changeover. It was NOT left to
the discretion of the manufacturers. The FCC did it because they
wanted to be sure that all TV's being sold by now would be DTV
compatible to ease the transition. OK, not all, but almost all,
because 2 years later, I'd bet the amount of non ATSC units being sold
is a miniscule amount of all TVs.

On Jan 31, 12:20*pm, wrote:


All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

I thought I read on one of the consumer websites recently that
manufacturers and retailers are sometimes getting around that by
calling them HDTV "monitors" instead of "receivers" - basically
selling a TV without an ATSC tuner as a "monitor".

Jerry

On Feb 2, 5:15*pm, Jerry wrote:
On Jan 31, 12:20*pm, wrote:



All TVs sold in the US now have to have an ATSC DTV tuner built-in.
The requirement began with the largest TVs quite a few years ago and
included even the smallest for maybe the last 2 years or so.

I thought I read on one of the consumer websites recently that
manufacturers and retailers are sometimes getting around that by
calling them HDTV "monitors" instead of "receivers" - basically
selling a TV without an ATSC tuner as a "monitor".

Jerry

I believe the essential element there is that to be classified as a
monitor, it cannot contain a tuner at all. If it does contain an
NTSC tuner, then it's a TV and specifically covered under the FCC
decree. I don;t see a point in manufacturers trying to evade the
ATSC tuner at this point. There are plenty of low cost TVs with ATSC
built-in. Apparently including the one that started this thread. So
far, the only example anyone has come up with of a TV in the normal
retail channel being sold that doesn't have an ATSC tuner is the 13"
at Target.

Ray wrote:
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed
whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we
won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

If your TV has antenna/cable or RCA (red, white, yellow) inputs then you
can use a converter box if not, then TV will be useless. Many of the
small battery powered TV's do not have any inputs and will not work
after the changeover.


But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism
digital LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would
also require a converter box -- or how could I tell.

I recently saw some under cabinet LCD TV units for sale that did not
have digital tuners. There were signs posted on the store shelf and
stickers on the box saying that.
If it has DTV tuner then the specs printed on the outside of the box
will say so.
You might also 'google' the model number and look for specs and/or reviews.


It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

See above.
Kevin

the Zenith, also sold under the Insignia brand, are both made by LG
Electronics, are the best, from the research that I did. I have bought two
of the Zenith, and they work great.

James

James wrote:
the Zenith, also sold under the Insignia brand, are both made by LG
Electronics, are the best, from the research that I did. I have bought two
of the Zenith, and they work great.

James


I have a Zenith on the TV in the spare bedroom and like it, but I have a
Channel Master on my big TV downstairs because the CM has an S-video
output which the Zenith does not. Also has a much better onscreen guide
than the Zenith. The one drawback to the CM is the remote; it does not
have a programmable button for your TV power, but if you have a
universal remote that doesn't matter. These are the only two I've
tried, but like you I spent a lot of time searching online for reviews
etc. before purchasing anything.

nate


--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed
whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we
won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also
require a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

The good news is you'll be able to watch that little TV a bit longer as the
government will be delaying the switch over date to June. It's not a sure
thing yet but the bill passed the senate and has to pass the house which is
predicted to do so.

Check to make sure any TV you purchase has it's own digital tuner. If not,
it'll require a box, but then again, you shouldn't even be able to find a
new TV without a digital tuner.

In article ,
"SBH" wrote:

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed
whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we
won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also
require a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

The good news is you'll be able to watch that little TV a bit longer as the
government will be delaying the switch over date to June. It's not a sure
thing yet but the bill passed the senate and has to pass the house which is
predicted to do so.

Check to make sure any TV you purchase has it's own digital tuner. If not,
it'll require a box, but then again, you shouldn't even be able to find a
new TV without a digital tuner.
Or if so, they should be well labeled as such. Looking over the
FCC rule making pdfs, I can't find anything that indicates any kind of a
deadline for DTV tuners in sets under 13 inches.

On Feb 1, 7:50*am, Kurt Ullman wrote:
In article ,





*"SBH" wrote:
"Ray" wrote in message
...
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed
whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe. Obviously we
won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism digital
LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one would also
require a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

The good news is you'll be able to watch that little TV a bit longer as the
government will be delaying the switch over date to June. It's not a sure
thing yet but the bill passed the senate and has to pass the house which is
predicted to do so.

Check to make sure any TV you purchase has it's own digital tuner. If not,
it'll require a box, but then again, you shouldn't even be able to find a
new TV without a digital tuner.

* * * Or if so, they should be well labeled as such. Looking over the
FCC rule making pdfs, I can't find anything that indicates any kind of a
deadline for DTV tuners in sets under 13 inches.- Hide quoted text -



http://broadcastengineering.com/RF/F...uner-20051104/

"FCC commissioners voted Thursday to advance its deadline for
including the ability to receiver digital television signals in all
new sets to March 1, 2007 — four months sooner than previously
mandated.

In the Second Report and Order on Requirements for Digital Television
Receiving Capability, the commission also extended the requirement to
cover new receivers with screen sizes smaller than 13in and put it on
the same schedule.

The action moves the deadline for digital television tuner inclusion
from July 1, 2007. In a previous rulemaking proposal, the commission
sought comment on advancing the final deadline to Dec. 31, 2006.

Kurt Ullman wrote in
:

In article ,
"SBH" wrote:

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Our little cheapo 5" screen TV that we use in the kitchen is doomed
whenever TV makes its conversion -- in June now, I believe.
Obviously we won't get a $100 converter box for a $15 TV set.

But I just noticed one of the discount stores has on sale a Prism
digital LCD TV. with a 7" screen. My question is whether this one
would also require a converter box -- or how could I tell.

It does have a retractable antenna, if that means anything.

The good news is you'll be able to watch that little TV a bit longer
as the government will be delaying the switch over date to June. It's
not a sure thing yet but the bill passed the senate and has to pass
the house which is predicted to do so.

Check to make sure any TV you purchase has it's own digital tuner. If
not, it'll require a box, but then again, you shouldn't even be able
to find a new TV without a digital tuner.
Or if so, they should be well labeled as such. Looking over the
FCC rule making pdfs, I can't find anything that indicates any kind of
a deadline for DTV tuners in sets under 13 inches.


I saw a CVS ad today for that Prism 7" TV,and right on the TV itself says
"ATSC Television". Thus,it needs no converter.
CVS has it on sale for $99.99.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net