This information about the consumer alert is a littel outdated, but we felt that it may still aply to some people:
Since March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. This rule prohibits importing or manufacturing of any TV set that has an analog tuner unless it also contains a digital tuner. Retailers can continue to sell the TV sets that are analog only if it comes from their existing inventory.
Just because your TV says it’s "digital ready" doesn’t mean it can receive digital signals. If your television set is labeled as a "Digital Monitor" or "HDTV Monitor," or as "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready," this does not mean it actually contains a digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate converter box, which contains a digital (ATSC) tuner in order to view over-the-air digital programming.
HDTV vs HDTV-Ready
If you don't know if your TV set contains a digital tuner, you should get the manufacturer name and model number, and contact the manufacturer. The information may also be available online through the manufacturer's website.
The FCC requires sellers to display this message when selling TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner:
Consumer Alert
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.
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