What’s New in Maryland
For you Merliners out thereArchive for July 16, 2008
Verizon Changes to All Digital TV…Some May Need a Digital Converter Box
If you are at home wondering why your tv isn’t working, it might not be your tv per se. It may be because as of today, Verizon has switched to digital broadcasting only for Maryland and Northern Virgina residents. If you have an analog tv and want to keep it, you’ll need a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. These boxes can be bought at places like Sears, Best Buy, and Target.
But don’t toss out your analog tv just yet if you don’t want to buy a digital converter box. Video games, DVD players, and VCRs will still work with your tv. Another option is buying a new tv; it doesn’t have to be high definition. It just needs to have a digital turner, which all tvs bought in the U.S. after March 1, 2007 are supposed to have.
Those with analog tvs that would like to buy the converter can request two coupons at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help subsidize the cost . The coupons are for $40 each, a great deal considering the cost of a digital converter box is around $50 to $60. With the $40 coupon, consumers can expect to pay around $10 to $20.
The reason for the switch is more efficiency, greater programming options, and more room for emergency communications like police and fire responders.
