March 1st was an important date that most of you probably didn't celebrate. Neither did the folks who produce analog TV's. Though, it was good day for digital broadcasting and HDTV.
As of March 1st, 2007, the government officially implemented a ban importing analog TVs from foreign countries or trafficking in interstate commerce of analog sets. This means that retailers of "analog only" TVs aren't allowed to buy any more to sell to you.
This is good news for the consumer, because it means ALL TV's being sold after March 1st MUST have a digital tuner (ATSC). This doesn't mean you have to buy an HDTV, it just means you will be buying a TV that can receive the new digital signals.
Which leads me to say that you would be crazy at this point to go out and buy a TV that isn't at least a flat screen or plasma. With the HD transition date of February 17, 2009 getting closer, it would make sense to spend the money and get an HDTV.
More and more programming is being offered in HD. As I mentioned last week, NBC Nightly News just launched the first national evening newscast in HD on Monday. Expect more programming to come.
If you aren't familiar with the Digital TV transition, you may want to check out the following website: www.dtvtransition.org
