As I am sure you know, ALL analog television broadcasting will cease on February 17, 2009. If you get your TV via cable or satellite, you may not even notice a change. However, that second TV in the back room that is not attached to another transmission medium, on it you’ll get nothing but static.

Your clients will appreciate letting them know about the big change. And also about the set-top converter they can buy for $50. Or about the free coupon to get the box if they are a low-income family. However, that family is unlikely to be a client.

Sets that have been made in the past few years have digital tuners already built-in. Some users may not even know the tuners are included.

It will be interesting to hear the cry the day TV is shut-off. Even with plenty of notice and cheap set-top converters, you’ll hear upset people complain about the change.

You know we asked for it. It was the TV industry that wanted HD and agreed to shut down the analog transmission in order to provide digital television.

In my opinion, it was a good deal. Stations can now broadcast HD along with several channels of SD. They get more revenue streams inside the same 6 MHz transmitted bandwidth.

Picture and sound quality is much improved while transmission interference is greatly reduced.

Just remember to tell Grandma about the set-top box.