Ready for DTV?

[carlb]

Just thought I'd bring up this, about to be a raving mad topic from a lot of people. I've talked to a lot of older people that just don't understand.
IF you have older TV's, still use an antenna, those TV adds say just send in for a $40 coupon and purchase a converter box. So here is what I've found out so far since I still use an antenna:
If your antenna is not in good line with a digital signal, you will still not receive a decent signal with the converter box. Digital signals are rather directional.
If your antenna is not directional, it may not work next February even with the converter box.
If you sent in for those coupons, check them out. They have experation dates. I know of many people that waited to long and now the coupons expired. No second chances.
No one on Earth that I could find sell thoes converter boxes for less than $50. AND you pay sales taxes on the full amount, not the difference from the coupon. This means the $40 coupon, paid with your tax money, is now also taxed.
If you have a VCR or DVD or both in line with your TV, when you connect the analog/digital converter box you will no longer be able to watch one station and record a different one.
If you have a VCR or DVD or both you will now have 3 remotes. Of course some have Universal ones so you will now only have 2 remotes. Most converters will not work with a Universal remote.
If you hook up a converter box now you will loose all analog stations. The box will only receive the Digital ones and many stations have not coverted.
In the MidWest there is supposed to be a test on Channel 5 on Dec 19th.
If you have a TV in your vehical, it may well be 12 Volts. All converters are 120 Volts.
If you have a small portable TV that has rabbit ears, you may not have anything to hook up the converter box to. You must check all TV's for a 75olm type round connector in the back. If none, either rewire the TV or throw it out.
If your TV or VCR or DVD player has 300 olm connectors only, you need to go out and purchase a 300/75 olm converter so you can hook up those conerter boxes.
And don't forget all converter boxes are 120 Volt so far. This means they must be connected to a 120 Volt power source. No problem on portable TV's if you have a very, very, very long extension cord.
I've complained to almost every TV station that what they are saying is excessively incomplete and so far no answers from any of them.
I trully feel very sorry for elderly people that have no idea of what is coming.