DTV.

Went to Target just now after a dimsum brunch. Decided to pick up the DTV converter before my $40 rebate from the government expires or before I simply forget to do it. The U.S. is switching all television broadcast to digital; rooftop antennae and rabbit ears t.v.-top antennae aren't going to work beginning February 2009.

So you're thinking, who still uses that technology? I do. The change doesn't affect people who have cable or satellite television--which is most Americans--but I never had those things (I choose to soak up as much premium programming when visiting friends and family; whatever they have Tivo-ed). It also doesn't affect people who have fairly new television sets that have digital receivers built-in. I've always chosen to spend the little money I make on much stupider things: books, DVDs, a few videogames. Mostly food. I like the idea of cooking, but I rarely assemble anything besides simple salads and sandwiches. For hot meals, I have to get those on the outside. Like the dimsum earlier--when would I ever make that kind of thing at home.

The government is issuing $40 rebates to those who need it to defray the cost of the digital change. Two to a household. All you have to do is request it online or by telephone. I guess because they figure only the poorest homes can't afford satellite television. I chose the cheapest model they have for the receiver which was $50. I also used the $15 gift card I picked up for free on Black Friday. No idea how well this thing is going to work, but supposedly if you use it before February, your reception should improve. I rarely even watch broadcast television. I have local news on in the mornings but catch everything else online or on DVD.