TV is going digital, a move that will make millions of analog television sets obsolete

Television has come a long way since its introduction to the world in 1925, when Scottish inventor John Logie Baird successfully transmitted the first recognizable image -- the head of a ventriloquist’s dummy.

At first, the image quality was poor, but it quickly improved and by the 1940s, more than one million American households had a television. The remote control arrived in the 1950s; color television and videotape in the 1960s.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, and another major milestone is on the horizon. Television is going digital, a move that will make millions of analog sets obsolete.

The federal government is requiring the change for two main reasons: first, so a valuable communications spectrum can be made available to emergency responders, such as police and fire departments; and second, because digital technology renders improvements in over-the-air TV, including clearer pictures, more channels and high-definition TV images.

So what should you do to get ready for the change?

There are three options for continuing service:

Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set

Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service

Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner

Improved technology makes option three hard to beat.

New televisions offer clearer, crisper pictures than older sets, and they also offer more flexibility. Their small size and minimal weight allow them to be put pretty much anywhere, and they’ve come down in price significantly so they are relatively affordable.

If you decide to invest in a new TV, you have more options than simply setting it on top of a stand or cabinet. You can also hang it from the wall like a picture frame, or even mount it overhead in the corner of a room.

"The possibilities are really endless thanks to innovations in the technology available to support these TVs," says Jim Wohlford, vice president and general manager of Sanus Systems, a manufacturer of audio video furnishings, mounts and accessories.

Prefer a more traditional look?

Rather than just setting your new TV on a dresser or TV stand, dress up your living space with a piece from the Sanus Component AV Foundations line. Sanus furniture looks fantastic and is designed specifically for audio/video equipment.

The features of Sanus' furniture make it easier to store AV components in the cabinets, while a convection cooling system upholds the quality of the components so they don't overheat and become damaged. The furniture is also constructed to improve audio quality by virtually eliminating resonance from audio systems.

The cabinets have flexibility built into them such as deep adjustable shelves to accommodate the varying sizes of AV components. Every component in your system will have multiple cables. Generous cable management channels in the Foundations furniture hides all cables for a clean appearance.

If you prefer a contemporary look, the Sanus VisionMount line offers a variety of wall mounting options for flat-panel TVs, including many full-motion mounts that tilt, swivel and extend away from the wall for limitless viewing angle options.

Some of the company's most popular models include the VisionMount MF215 for medium TVs and the VisionMount VMAA26 for large TVs. People looking for an advanced, even more high-tech option might like Sanus' VisionMount LA112 automated wall mount, which lets the viewer adjust the TV angle with a remote control and pre-set favorite angles for frequent use.

Not sure how you want to put your TV on display?

Go to www.sanus.com for even more ideas. Sanus Systems products are available at thousands of retail locations nationwide. A store locator is available on the website.

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