Got Digital?

Got Digital?

Digital Broadcasting Deadline is Almost Here—Are You Ready?

The February 17 launch date for nationwide digital television is only days away, but you still have time to get a DTV converter so you can receive the new digital signal on your analog TV. Analog broadcasting from around 1600 local television stations across the U.S. will cease on February 17. Some low-power stations will be exempt from the digital changeover, and their signals can still be received by analog TVs.

Better Image & Sound

The change to digital broadcasting is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. Why? Digital television broadcasts offer far superior audio and video compared to conventional analog transmissions, offering dramatically clearer picture and sound. DTV also lets local TV stations provide several channels of programming simultaneously, a process known as “multicasting”.

Other advantages of DTV include interactive capability, data services such as on-screen program guides and enhanced closed captioning—capabilities analog technology can’t provide. Plus, once the switch to digital broadcasting is made, a large portion of the broadcasting frequency spectrum will be freed up for use by emergency, law enforcement, rescue and other potentially life-saving services.

Your Options to Receive DTV

So does the digital transition mean you have to run out and buy a new TV? Not if you receive TV service through a paid service, like cable or satellite, or if you already own a digital TV. Your reception of over-the-air channels will not be affected.

If you receive television reception from an over-the-air antenna on a television set manufactured prior to March 1, 2007, you do need an affordable digital-to-analog converter box. Analog TVs can’t decode the digital signal, which can carry far more information than the old analog signal. Without a converter device, your analog TV will receive only static after February 17. Fortunately, along with the government mandate comes a $40 coupon available to all consumers that can be used toward purchase of a digital-to-analog converter like the Winegard model available at Camping World (Item #42400, Club Price $59.99 Reg. $66.66).

How Do I Get the Coupon?

To receive up to two coupons per household, go online at DTV2009.gov

visit any Camping World location, online at CampingWorld.com or by phone at 888-626-7576. and apply. Redeem your coupon for a digital-to-analog converter box at any

The converter boxes work on your home analog TVs and on the analog TVs in your RV. You will need a converter box for each analog TV on which you receive free over-the-air stations. Analog TVs that receive cable or satellite programming and digital or HD TVs will be unaffected by the changeover.

Economical Upgrade

Using your $40 government coupon, the cost to upgrade to digital reception is minimal. President’s Club members pay only $19.99 for the converter box after applying their coupon. Without a coupon, members pay $59.99 for the converter box, Reg. $66.66. Have Camping World connect your converter box between your rooftop antenna and TV and the total cost to President’s Club members is only $39.99 using the government coupon (Club Price $79.99 Reg. $88.88 for converter box and installation without coupon). Once your converter box is installed, you are ready to start receiving digital broadcasts, which many TV stations are already transmitting simultaneously with their analog signal.

FREE Evaluation

If you are still unsure if you will need a digital-to-analog converter box for your RV television set, stop by any Camping World location for a free DTV evaluation. A technician will inspect your television and antenna system and advise you if you need a converter box. They will also tell you if you need to upgrade an older batwing-style rooftop antenna, which won’t offer optimum digital reception, with a Winegard Batwing Sensar II Replacement Head (Item #26654, Club Price $59.99 Reg. $66.66).