Post by dkennedy on Mar 13, 2007 6:34:50 GMT -5
RCA Unveils Digital TV Converter
But the company offers no pricing or retail availability.
March 13, 2007
By Phillip Swann, tvpredictions.com
RCA yesterday unveiled a new Digital TV converter box designed for analog sets when the nation switches to digital signals in 2009.
The company did not reveal how much the set-top will cost or when it will be available at retail. But RCA clearly is getting ready for when millions of Americans will need new converter boxes to continue watching TV in 2009.
On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. The converter boxes will convert the new digital signals so they can be displayed on old analog TVs.
Without the converter boxes, viewers will not be able to watch TV when the switch occurs unless they get a new Digital TV or subscribe to cable or satellite. (An estimated 19 million people now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.)
The U.S. Commerce Department yesterday issued rules saying that every U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to purchase converter boxes to watch TV when the nation switches to Digital TV. The boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $75.
"We're very pleased that all households in America will initially qualify to receive up to two $40 coupons to defray the cost of products like our RCA DTA800, which we are now discussing with retailers for consideration in their upcoming assortments," said Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson's Americas Audio/Video business.
RCA said its DTA800 will be a low-cost, energy-efficient converter that will ensure reception of local channels when the digital switch occurs. The converter will have an antenna input and analog outputs and will come with a remote control.
Additionally, the box will include an on-screen program guide, parental control options, closed captioning and a "SmartAntenna" interface that will improve reception in hard-to-reach areas.
"We anticipate a market for several million Digital TV Adapters beginning with the availability of Digital TV Adapter coupons in January 2008. The RCA DTA800 will be the ideal resource for consumers who want to keep watching their old TV set – either in the main entertainment room or another room in the home. And now that the final eligibility requirements have been made public, we're ready to meet the demand from our retail customers," Collishaw said.
But the company offers no pricing or retail availability.
March 13, 2007
By Phillip Swann, tvpredictions.com
RCA yesterday unveiled a new Digital TV converter box designed for analog sets when the nation switches to digital signals in 2009.
The company did not reveal how much the set-top will cost or when it will be available at retail. But RCA clearly is getting ready for when millions of Americans will need new converter boxes to continue watching TV in 2009.
On February 17, 2009, all broadcasters must switch to digital signals. The converter boxes will convert the new digital signals so they can be displayed on old analog TVs.
Without the converter boxes, viewers will not be able to watch TV when the switch occurs unless they get a new Digital TV or subscribe to cable or satellite. (An estimated 19 million people now do not subscribe to cable or satellite.)
The U.S. Commerce Department yesterday issued rules saying that every U.S. household can apply for two $40 coupons to purchase converter boxes to watch TV when the nation switches to Digital TV. The boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $75.
"We're very pleased that all households in America will initially qualify to receive up to two $40 coupons to defray the cost of products like our RCA DTA800, which we are now discussing with retailers for consideration in their upcoming assortments," said Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson's Americas Audio/Video business.
RCA said its DTA800 will be a low-cost, energy-efficient converter that will ensure reception of local channels when the digital switch occurs. The converter will have an antenna input and analog outputs and will come with a remote control.
Additionally, the box will include an on-screen program guide, parental control options, closed captioning and a "SmartAntenna" interface that will improve reception in hard-to-reach areas.
"We anticipate a market for several million Digital TV Adapters beginning with the availability of Digital TV Adapter coupons in January 2008. The RCA DTA800 will be the ideal resource for consumers who want to keep watching their old TV set – either in the main entertainment room or another room in the home. And now that the final eligibility requirements have been made public, we're ready to meet the demand from our retail customers," Collishaw said.