What about digital TV if you only have rabbit ears for reception? I have a color TV with a remote.

From the FCC

If you receive only free over-the-air television programming, the type of TV you own, either a digital TV or an analog TV, is very important. Consumers who receive only free over-the-air television may view digital programming through a TV set with a built-in digital tuner (integrated DTV) or a digital-ready monitor with a separate digital tuner set-top box. (Both of these digital television types are referred to as a DTV). The only additional equipment required to view over-the-air digital programming with a DTV is a regular antenna, either on your roof or a smaller version on your TV such as “rabbit ears.”

If you have an analog television, you will have to purchase a digital-to-analog set-top converter box to attach to your TV set to be able to view over-the-air digital programming (see “What About My Analog TV?” below).

I should point out that my pre-coffee reponse up there left out the fact that we have a digital converter box, and have for a few years. I tend to forget the thing isn't part of the actual TV.

So if it's got a remote, it's a digital TV?

Is the difference between a coaxial connection and a converter box? I'd guess that if you have to connect your antenna to the TV with a standard screwdriver, you've got an analog connection.

So if it's got a remote, it's a digital TV?

Nope.

In theory, once they start selling converter boxes as more than a speciality item this year, with the FCC $40 coupon, it'll be about $10-$20 to get a box so that any old TV can get a digital signal.

I was told, third hand, by tech support that the Gateways I wanted to get for my classroom will not work on the network (Internet, Lotus notes, network drives), and that I should get one of a list of twice-as-expensive IBMs. This smells funny to me, but I want to confirm that it really is bullshit before I call Bullshit and talk to Tech Support directly.

Sounds like bullshit. Now, it may be that your support group has some kind of service contract that they want/need to deal with, but all the stuff on your list can be done with pretty much any internet-capable machine.

So if it's got a remote, it's a digital TV?

Not by default no - sorry, I should have been more clear. What I was trying to say (badly) was that almost all new (or even not-that-new) TVs already have the capability to decode digital off-air signals. Most people will not have to buy new TVs.

(And that's if the digital switch actually happens on schedule - this is the what, third time it's been pushed back? Fourth?)

connie, see:

dcp "Sunnydale Press" Jan 1, 2008 8:51:42 am PST

FAQs page: [link]

Thanks.

I'm going to choose to believe that the digital thing is the cover story for a conspiracy...now to figure out that conspiracy it's covering up...