As previously mentioned in Part One, Congress has mandated that as of Feb. 17, 2009, all full power broadcasting stations must cease analog broadcasting and set forth the digital revolution. Due to that, as of March 2007, all televisions being shipped within or to the U.S. must already obtain a digital converter for the switch over in 2009.

Of course Congress was aware of the fact that there are retailers out there who still have a lot of televisions not prepared for the digital revolution that have yet to be sold. In order to solve this issue, the FCC has demanded that all retailers must place a warning on those sets not programed for digital reception with labels such as this.

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at:www.dtv.gov.

In order to persuade retailers to do this, the FCC has placed a hefty fine for every non digital television set not marked with the label. According to Nate Anderson from arstechnica.com, the FCC is fining $8000 dollars per tv. So far the FCC is owed a total of $96,000 dollars in fines. That seems like a lot if you ask me. I know they’re looking out for the people, but eight thousand dollars for ONE tv set?

Well, on a brighter note, NTIA , a branch of the federal government, is scheduled to release $40 dollar coupons for the analog-to-digital conversion starting in January of 2009. The converters are expected to run anywhere between $50-$75 dollars. Thank the feds for ensuring us that nothing in this world is free. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) contract with IBM doesn’t include just the production and distribution of the converters. Oh no, NTIA is making sure they get their money’s worth. IBM is entrusted with educating the consumer, as well as the reimbursement process for when the coupons are turned in.

In the end all I have to say is, I guess forty bucks up is better than eight grand in the hole…