While all newly produced televisions require a digital tuner (as of 3/1/07), manufacturers and retailers have been permitted to work through existing inventory. However, in a move to designed to “facilitate the transmission of digital broadcast” the FCC just mandated (PDF) that NTSC-only sets must display a “Consumer Alert” sticker:
This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009,to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-onlyTVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products.
“Labeling of analog-only television sets is a good idea,” FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said in a prepared statement. “It would have been an even better idea had we adopted it fourteen months ago when Congress passed the February 2009 deadline.”
(via eWeek)
This will make NTSC-only sets less appealing to consumers, which should drive prices down as stores try to clear out the stock. Which is greate for anyone who uses an external tuner like a cable box or DVR. :-)