Go ahead: Wave your zeroes and ones through the air like we just don't care

My parents do not (and very likely will never) subscribe to a pay-TV service. They've got a pretty nice Sony TV with a Trinitron tube that still throws a darn good image at the glass after all these years. They are in the class of Americans that would be in danger of losing their TV programming when the ax falls on analog broadcast signals on February 17, 2009 unless we took action of some kind. With the $40 coupons being distributed by the federal government, I purchased a couple of Magnavox TB100MW9 DTV Digital to Analog Converter set-top boxes. Net cost for the pair from Wal-Mart: $21.37, including sales tax. (The second DTV converter box will eventually be installed on a very old TV in another room, just as soon as I find an adapter to convert the coax output into twin-lead antenna input!)

Setup to the old Trinitron warhorse was very straightforward. I attached the coaxial connector from the existing antenna to the box, and then ran RCA connections from the box to the TV. The most difficult part was navigating the dusty web of cables behind the entertainment center cabinet! After a very brief quick setup sequence that asked for date/time, audio connection preference, display mode (I chose to zoom the image to fill the screen, which cuts off the left and right sides of a widescreen frame), a channel autoscan was performed and we were finally ready to start watching digital TV broadcasts.

Unfortunately, the bundled remote control for the Magnavox set-top box (STB) is an ergonomic joke, with lots of itty-bitty, squishy buttons with itty-bitty labeling. (Way to think of of our senior population, Magnavox!) I took this opportunity to really clean things up by bringing a Sony RM-V210 universal remote control onto the scene. This was an obvious choice since the pre-existing group of TV, DVD and VCR are all members of team Sony. Per the fine print in the Magnavox instructions, I was able to successfully use a Sylvania STB code (3403) to program the remote to control the Magnavox STB via the CBL button. The clutter and confusion of four remotes has been reduced to the merely daunting prospect of learning to handle one remote.

There will certainly be an adjustment period as they get used to the new setup. But I rest easier knowing that Mom and Dad are now prepared to continue watching The Bachelorette, Wheel of Fortune, and even Sólo Boxeo Tecate on Univision (uppercuts and TKOs need no translation) into the digital age. As for me, I've been set to go for months with my sleek LCD hi-def television with built-in digital tuner. I don't watch enough television these days to justify spending the money on pay-TV myself.

It's just part of what makes me a unique individual, just like everyone else.