Get ready for the digital TV transition
Confused about what the upcoming transition to digital TV means for you? Armed with the right information you can make smart choices that are light on your wallet and the planet.
The cheapest, greenest, and easiest options are all the same: Keep the television you already own. But that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of affordable and sustainable choices if you are shopping for a new TV.
Read on for answers to common questions, plus money and energy-saving tips.
Do I need a new TV?
No, but depending on what your set-up is, you may need to make some adjustments. Here are the various scenarios:
- You don't have to do anything if you subscribe to paid cable or satellite television. Your television will still work after the June 12 transition.
- If you rely on a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" for reception, check to see if your analog TV has a digital tuner (which will allow it to still work after the transition). How to find out? Look in your owner's manual or call the manufacturer. You're probably out of luck if your TV was made before 1998. Chances are better for those purchased after 2004.
- No digital tuner? You have three choices. You can subscribe to cable or satellite television, buy a digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box that will convert the incoming signals for you, or buy a new TV.
Are all digital converter boxes the same?
There are several models to choose from. Learn the basics before you buy:
- Digital converters are a lot less pricey than a new TV. Plan on spending somewhere between $40 and $70. The government has run out of the $40 coupons it was offering to consumers, but it's worth it to get on the waiting list in case more become available.
- Picture quality, remote controls, on-screen programming information, and other factors differ so test out a box before you buy it, just as you would a new TV. Here are Consumer Reports' ratings, and here are video and product details.
- Converter boxes with the Energy Star stamp of approval use less energy (and, therefore, cost less to run) than conventional models and automatically power down when not in use. Here's a list of models (PDF) that qualify.
- Looking for DTA boxes that earn high marks from Consumer Reports and are Energy Star qualified? Your best bet is the Zinwell ZAT (970A), which was rated high for picture quality. These others all had "acceptable" picture quality: Digital Stream (DTX9950 and DSP7500T); General Electric (22730 and 22729); and Good Mind (DTA 1000).
- You can buy boxes at most of the major retailers that sell electronics. Check out this extensive list of stores and online retailers or to search for one in your neighborhood. Learn how to set up a converter box and get answers to common connection questions.
What should I look for when buying a new television?
There's no one definition of a "green" TV, but shoppers looking to make sustainable purchases can consider several factors.
- Size matters. Larger TVs use more energy than smaller models using the same technology. You'll save money at the store and on your electricity by not buying a television that's larger than you need.
- Plasma TVs can use twice as much power to operate than a similar sized LCD. A typical 42-inch plasma TV will cost at least $200 more to operate over the life of the product than a similar size LCD TV, according to Noah Horowitz, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
- Televisions with the Energy Star 3.0 label are 30 percent more efficient than those that aren't qualified. Here's another chance to save money on operating costs.
- Several TVs make sustainability claims. Here are links to recent reviews from T3, CNET, The Wall Street Journal, and EcoGeek. Try searching My Green Electronics for television suggestions.
How can I save money and energy if I buy a new TV?
How you set up your TV can make a difference:
- Enable any energy and power saving modes. When you set up your new TV, for example, NRDC suggests selecting the “home” mode for brightness rather than the “retail” or “vivid” mode, which uses up to 30 percent more power.
- Plug your television and other home entertainment equipment into a power strip to eliminate electricity they are consuming while they are in standby mode. Turn it off when you’re not watching. Unfortunately, at this time it’s frustrating to cut off power completely to cable boxes because they take a long time to reboot and won’t record programmed shows.
What should I do with my old TV?
Don’t send it to the landfill. Old televisions contain significant amounts of lead and other toxic chemicals that can leach into soil and ground water. Plus, the sheer number of potentially obsolete TVs (approximately 22 million if owners decide to upgrade to new TVs) could overwhelm landfills. Here are some better options:
- Find a new home for it. Check to see if your favorite charitable organization is still taking analog TVs. (They might be more willing to accept one if you donate an accompanying converter box.) Or find someone who wants it through your local reuse group.
- The next best option: Recycle it. You'll want to find a responsible recycler so that your old TV isn't shipped overseas. Search Earth911's comprehensive database. Visit the Electronics Manufacturers Recycling Management Company website to find out where you can drop your TV off for free.
- If you're buying a new TV, ask if the retailer or manufacturer will recycle your old TV. Best Buy and Sony, for example, will take away your old TV when you have a new one delivered.
Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.
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