The Digital TV Transition
What you need to know about DTV
The Transition to Digital TV
TV stations serving all markets in the U.S. are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through June 12, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.
Analog TVs will need additional equipment to receive over-the-air television when the DTV transition ends.
Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.
What Is Digital TV?
Digital Television (DTV) is a new broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with movie-quality picture and sound. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multi-casting, and interactive capabilities.
Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.
Who Will Be Affected
Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners will be affected by the transition.
Cable, Satellite Viewers Have Least Impact
Analog cable, satellite and telco viewers will not lose their broadcast signals and will be least impacted.
Cable, satellite and telco companies have been ordered by the FCC to carry all broadcast main and digital stations after the transition.
These companies must carry broadcasters high-definition signals in HD. Viewers may need to purchase a digital or high definition package from their cable/satellite provider.
What Can Consumers Do To Prepare
Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service: 1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. (Government providing $40 coupons starting Jan. 2008). 2. Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. 3. Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider.
Converter Box Coupon
A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.
For more information about the converter box coupon program, call 1-888-DTV-2009. You can also read more on DTV Web site.
Analog
Date for final transition to digital is June 12, 2009. After that date, stations will only broadcast digital signals.
Consumers will always be able to connect an inexpensive receiver, a set top box, to their existing analog TV to decode DTV broadcast signals.
Set top boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition.
Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices for many years.
DTV
Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a program is in high-definition.
Digital pictures will be free from "ghosts" and "snow" that can affect some analog transmissions.
Multi-casting is available.
HDTV is available.
Data streaming is available.
HDTV
High-definition broadcasts offered.
Best available picture resolution, clarity and color.
Dolby theatre surround-sound.
Dolby surround-sound.
Wide screen "movie-like" format.
Publications
What Every DTV Consumer Should Know (.pdf)
DTV Tip Sheet (.pdf)
FAQs
What is the digital TV transition?
Is HDTV the same thing as DTV
Why are we switching to DTV?
How much better is the quality of HDTV than analog TV?
DTV Links
What You Need To Know About Feb. '09 TV Switch
A Beginners Guide To High Definition Video
Federal Communications Commission
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