The Truth About Your Uncle

I’m a hardcore watcher and listener (via XM) of CNBC. Everyday I hear more and more about your Uncle Sam trying to borrow money when he already owes a bunch of people money. I have an Uncle like yours so I won’t judge you. I also hear a lot about the Digital Television (DTV) conversion being mandated by your Uncle Sam. Some of  you believe that he’s just trying to con you into spending a bunch of money on an expensive High Definition TV (HDTV). He has done a lot of things that could legitimately be classified as a hustle or scam but this isn’t one of them.

First, DTV doesn’t automatically mean HDTV. Just like pasta doesn’t automatically mean spaghetti. HDTV (spaghetti) is a form of DTV (pasta). That means that you DON’T have to purchase an HDTV.  You just need a way to feed your TV “pasta”. If you have cable or satellite TV service on a TV, you only have to do one thing to be ready: Pay your bill! If you have done, and continue to do, that, you can keep doing what you have been doing (*see my note at the bottom).

If you only have an antenna (or coat hanger; I’m not judging you) connected to your TV, you will have some issues when they hit the switch. Here’s what you can do:

1) Buy a TV that likes pasta, not necessarily spaghetti. In other words, buy a TV that has an ATSC digital tuner. It will say “DTV” so don’t worry about what it means. As I said before, it doesn’t have to be an HDTV. You will also need an antenna connected to the TV or on your roof. I won’t get into the specifics on what type to buy. All I’ll say is that there is no such thing as an “HDTV antenna.” Go to antennaweb.org.

2) Keep your antenna (or coat hanger) and get a digital-to-analog converter box. Your Uncle Sam will give you $40 (of your money) to buy one or $80 (of your money) to buy two.

3) Come out of your pockets and buy a sexy widescreen HDTV (spaghetti). There are a lot of good options. Choose one. You will still need an antenna connected to the TV or on your roof (see #1).

The DTV conversion is a good thing. your Uncle is not trying to scam you.

Your TV just needs a hug!

Terrance

The TechLife Concierge

*Analog cable subscribers who plug the coaxial cable directly into the back of the TV without using a set-top cable box will be affected, though. The FCC requires cable companies to provide analog signals for local stations that have switched to digital signals as long as they offer analog feeds for any other channel. If you’re concerned that your TV will go dark, you should contact your cable provider. (How Stuff Works: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/digital-converter-box.htm)

My First Embrace

The first time I remember hugging technology was in the first grade. My cousin owned some type of keyboard that you hooked up to a TV (that was a long time ago so “Some Type of Keyboard” [STK] will have to be the official product name). I couldn’t even attempt to tell you where he got and why he got it. But I do know, HE GOT IT!

I recall one day waiting around for the small 13″ black and white TV to be free. When it finally became free, I hooked up the STK and went to work. In hindsight, “went to work” meant “I typed a bunch of words.” I was pretty smart at that age but not smart enough to know that I was stupid and didn’t know what I was doing. I kept typing “break into (name left out to protect the innocent)’s computer.” Now, how was that supposed to happen? I’m not even sure he had a computer. I refer you back to my “pretty smart” sentence. There was no World Wide Web at that time. I wouldn’t encounter that for another 12 years.

However, that was my first warm embrace with technology, assuming trying to make a parachute out of shopping bags doesn’t count.

There’s some technology that needs hugging. I can show you how.

Terrance
The TechLife Concierge

Why I Do This

…And then there were none.

That’s what I felt about people in the technology industry who actually liked people. That’s what I felt about technology companies that could actually commit to an exact appointment time, not a window. That’s what I felt about technology professionals who dressed like professionals. That’s what I felt about technology companies that prevented problems, not just fix them. That’s what I felt about technology companies that educated consumers. That’s what I felt about technology professionals that could make complicated solutions simple. That’s what I felt about technology professionals that created relationships with the client instead of the product.

… And then there was one: Denity Technology Solutions.

It’s time to feel at home with technology.

Terrance T. Whitehead, The TechLife Concierge