Analog cutoff stuff

We're less than a year away from the switchoff of analog TV transmission, and I've found out some interesting stuff lately.

First, turns out that I'll be affected more by the switchoff than I thought. When analog broadcasts are turned off, TV stations will be given the option of moving their digital broadcasts back to VHF (right now almost all of them are UHF-based). Sure enough some of my local channels will be going back. But right now I only have a UHF antenna on my roof. Oopsie. Have to find out what to do. Ugh. Here is a good discussion of the issue.

Secondly, I got my in-laws (who don't get cable) one of the infamous digital to analog converter boxes, using my $40 coupon the government sent me. It works surprisingly well. They were never able to get their local CBS affiliate, and now it's crystal clear. They're quite impressed with the results.