Audio Video News

Shame on you, RadioShack. And you too, HH Gregg, FYE, Fred Meyer Stores, Ultimate Electronics, and Boscov's. You've been selling analog televisions without adequately warning consumers that these sets are about to become obsolete with the end of analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009. That's why the Federal Communications Commission has just slapped you with $96,000 in fines. Not much, admittedly, but it's a start.

On May 25, 2007, the FCC began requiring retailers to display a consumer warning on analog sets in "a size of type large enough to be clear, conspicuous and readily legible." After a few weeks the commission's Enforcement Bureau began checking stores for proper labeling. Apparently some weren't taking the new rule seriously. How far the FCC is willing to escalate the fines remains unclear but this definitely qualifies as a warning shot off the bow.

Broadcast-dependent viewers will be able to obtain $40 coupons from the federal government for set-top boxes that would convert new digital broadcast signals to analog after the end of analog broadcast service. Satellite and cable companies will be required to serve analog signals to those who need them. Of course, the best solution if you can afford it is to buy a new DTV with a digital (ATSC) tuner.