| With the changeover to Digital TV coming up in | | | | for your TV/TVs. The manual will tell you specifically |
| February, people are confused on whether it will | | | | if it has a digital tuner. If you do not see anything in |
| affect them or not, even some RVers are not sure | | | | the manual about a digital tuner, then you will need a |
| if they need a Digital TV Converter Box to receive | | | | converter box. |
| TV using their RV's antenna. Here is the question I | | | | If you are still not sure, try to find the model number |
| recently received and the answer I gave. Hopefully | | | | of your TV (this is sometimes hard in an RV because |
| this information will clear up the most common | | | | the TVs are usually built into a cabinet). Once you |
| questions people have about Digital TV. | | | | find the model number, go to the TV Manufacturers |
| I'm still confused about the digital TV thing. Our 2006 | | | | website and look up the specifications for your TV. |
| RV is cable and internet ready, but if we are not at a | | | | If the Specs do not mention "digital tuner" then, you |
| campground do we need a converter to pick up TV | | | | will need a converter box. |
| signals after Feb? | | | | Digital Converter boxes can cost as little as $40.00 to |
| ANSWER | | | | well over $100.00 (depending on the extra bells and |
| Thanks for your question. There is a lot of confusion | | | | whistles the box comes with). |
| about the change to Digital broadcast TV scheduled | | | | The boxes are available at electronic stores, |
| to take place on February 17, 2009. | | | | WalMarts, K-Marts etc. |
| If you do not have a TV with a digital tuner, you will | | | | Now, here is the GOOD NEWS. There is a |
| not be able to receive any stations when using an | | | | government funded program to help offset the cost |
| antenna, all you will get is snow. | | | | of purchasing a converter box for TVs without digital |
| If you are at a campground with cable TV, you will | | | | tuners. |
| be able to receive TV, whether your TV has a digital | | | | This program is called the "TV Converter Box |
| tuner or an analog tuner. | | | | Coupon Program". When you go to their website you |
| Since your RV is a 2006 model, there is a pretty | | | | fill out a simple form and you can receive up to two |
| good chance that you will need a converter box for | | | | coupons valued at $40.00 each towards the purchase |
| each TV in your RV to watch TV using an antenna. | | | | of a converter box. |
| The government required that all TVs sold after | | | | These coupons look like credit cards and are |
| March 1, 2007, had to have digital tuners. The TVs in | | | | accepted at places such as Best Buy, etc. Here is the |
| your RV were manufactured before that. | | | | catch; these coupons are only good for 90 days |
| You say that your RV is "cable and internet ready". | | | | after the date they were mailed to you. There is a |
| Unfortunately that does not mean that it is Digital TV | | | | limit of 2 coupons per household. |
| ready. It simply means that the cable and wiring to | | | | The last I heard, the demand for these coupons was |
| hook up your TV and computer were pre-wired in | | | | so great, that there was a chance that they would |
| when they constructed the unit. | | | | run out of them by the middle of January, unless |
| The first thing I would do is find the owner's manual | | | | they received more funding from the government. |