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DTV Is Coming - Are You Ready?

On Feb. 17, 2009, television as we know will change. On that date, by law, analog broadcasts will cease and digital broadcasting will begin.

The advantages of digital television are many, as digital broadcasting provides a clearer picture, more programming options, and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

In order for you to continue to watch television, you'll need to have either a DTV-ready television set, or buy a digital converter box for your television. In preparation for this switch, the federal government is sponsoring a coupon program for citizens who need to buy a converter box. For more information on the coupon program, please visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.

More information on DTV:

• The Federal Communications Commission's DTV website: http://www.dtv.gov
• The FCC's DTV Consumer Facts webpage: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html
• The National Association of Broadcaster's DTV website: http://www.dtvanswers.com
• Digital Television Transition Coalition: http://www.dtvtransition.org
• Wikipedia article on DTV: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television
• Earth-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Old TV: http://www.thestreet.com/story/10411170/1/earth-friendly-ways-to-chuck-your-analog-tv.html
• Watch "DTV 101: A Consumer's Guide to Digital Television"
  

But be warned - because this is such a widespread program and affects so many people, there are already reports of scams and misleading advertising:

• FCC fines retailers for breaking DTV transition rules
• Scammers Exploit DTV Coupon Program

Make sure you get enough information before you purchase a converter box or new television. For product reviews, check out our Consumer Information Resources webpage, or contact the Reference Desk for help.

2/17/09, analog, box, chelmsford, converter, digital, dtv, hdtv, library, television, tv

Fabulous Photos Workshops

Last night was the first in a series of workshops designed to help people do more with their digital cameras.

Last night's session with Loreen Liberty, of TLM Studios, focused on the technical aspects of a digital camera: how to set resolution, compression, what memory card and batteries, to use, etc. Next week, on March 19th, Loreen will switch from the technical to the creative aspects of photographs - choosing subjects, balancing foreground and background, paying attention to color and lighting, and much more.

The third and final workshop, on April 2nd, will give one example of what can be done with the pictures you take with your digital camera. Brian Herzog of the Chelmsford Library will demonstrate how the photo sharing website flickr can be used to store, organize and share photographs.

For more information on this series, visit the website.

digital, photographs, photos, pictures, series, workshops