Asahi: Attention! The end is near for analog TV
Analog TVs are good for only five more years, and the government and industry are planning publicity campaigns to get the word out to avoid a backlash from uninformed consumers. On July 24, 2011, all terrestrial broadcasting in the nation will switch to digital. About 90 percent of the 100 million TVs currently in use can receive only analog signals and will become useless without a digital-analog tuner...which typically costs 20,000 yen or more...In addition to purchasing compatible TV sets or tuners, consumers will have to install antennas that can receive ultrahigh frequency (UHF) bands for channels 13 to 62. The antennas cost about 40,000 yen or more, including installation fees. Those who already have UHF antennas will have to realign them if the relay facility for digital broadcasting is built in a different place than the one used for analog. Antenna adjustments cost 10,000 yen to 15,000 yen...more...
