Question about the 2009 move to digital TV

[Hugabear]

As I understand it, next year you'll have to have a digital box to receive over-the-air signals. What happens if there's an emergency like a hurricane? A few years ago after Hurricane Charley, we relied heavily on our small battery-operated TV. Would we be screwed?

Just something that I haven't seen addressed yet, maybe someone on here will know.

[NEDem]

1. you would need to

hook the converter box to the small TV. The converter would need a power source

On Edit:

Unless the small TV is already digital (unlikely from what you described).

[deminatl]

2. i guess radio

i have a battery operated radio that will play tv, and emergency weather
i use it during bad weather

[NEDem]

4. unless it's digital, TV won't work after digital conversion

[onenote]

3. the short answer is that in all likelihood your battery operated tv won't work after 2/17/09

If you live in an area served by a "low power" television station (operating on a UHF channel), and your set is sensitive enough, you may (and I emphasize may) still be able to get reception for a couple of more years on a set with an analog tuner. But the odds are against you.

While your battery operated tv probably won't work,you should still be able to get emergency information from radio stations in the vicinity using a battery operated radio.

[Catch22Dem]

5. TV may not be the best option anyway

If you live in an area prone to weather related power outages, invest in a battery powered weather radio, and perhaps a police scanner as well.

[NEDem]

6. I've seen some really cool radios

the ones with the crank, the prices on the good ones have gone down a lot and the quality has gone way up. I have an old one, fortunately never had to use it. I will be getting a new one soon.

[Catch22Dem]

7. I had a crank lantern...

That thing sucked ass. Bright for about 1 minute, dim for about 10.

[msongs]

8. if you have no tv consider yourself blessed :-) nt

[MercutioATC]

9. If your goal is to get info, you want something like this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7796432&type=product&id=1142291512355&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7796432