Attention, Canadians: Get a Head Start on Digital Conversion

Canadian television will make the switch from analog to digital broadcasts on August 31, 2011. That seems like a long way off, but what if you want to watch shows originating from south of the border after the U.S. conversion occurs (on February 17, 2009)? Or what if you want to watch the numerous programs now airing over digital channels in both nations, from broadcasters such as the CBC, CTV and WNED?

Do you need a whole new television set to receive a digital signal? The short answer is “no.”

If you subscribe to any type of pay TV service (cable, satellite or telephone company), no action is needed. You can receive any digital channel that is part of your provider’s package.

If you now receive a free analog, over-the-air signal, you will need to take one of three steps:

• Purchase a DVD converter box. It’s easy to connect between your television set and your antenna.

• Purchase a television set with a built-in digital tuner.

• Subscribe to a pay TV service. Check to see which broadcast stations are carried by any provider you are considering.

Where to Get a Digital Converter Box
Check with your local electronics retailer. These tuning devices are now selling at U.S. stores for as little as $40 U.S. A recent search of ebay.ca yielded several used HDTV & digital tuners (that is, digital conversion boxes) with “buy it now” prices of just under $50 Canadian. Also, several online retailers will ship the boxes to Canada (see below).

U.S. Digital and Canadian Analog Channels: How Can You Receive Both?
Some channels in Canada will continue broadcasting analog signals. If you want to receive both analog and digital channels (that is, analog signals via your converter box), you have two options:

1) Set up a splitter or A/B switch on your converter box (or have a technician do it). These parts, as well as installation service, are available from:
Telenex Satellite
(514) 694-0947
1-800-463-0947

(If you find you need a different antenna to pull in digital channels, this company also sells and installs antennas.)

More information for antenna viewers.

2) Buy a box that passes analog signals (not all do). Vendors that do carry analog pass-through boxes (and that ship to Canada) include:

Solid Signal
1-866-374-4625

A1activations
1-800-670-0388

Satellite RadioSuperstore
1-800-513-8554

EP Vision
(714) 630-6839

Other sources for digital-to-analog converter boxes include:

• Buying in the States in person may be more cost effective than ordering a box online, depending on shipping and duty costs. Radio Shacks near the border carry analog pass-through boxes for $60. Several carry Zenith and Digital Stream models. Check location of Western New York area stores.

• Some Wal-Mart stores sell a Magnavox DVD recorder for $199 that includes a digital (ATSC) tuner that works as a converter box. Model H2080MW8.

• The Future Shop and The Source By Circuit City electronics stores in Canada plan to sell digital converter boxes but have not yet announced a date.

For more information on Canadian DTV conversion, please visit the Canadian Office of Consumer Affairs.