Digital TV Conversion - Frequently Asked Questions
En Espanol
Under legislation passed by Congress in 2005, free local broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in a digital television format. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the upcoming conversion (source: National Association of Broadcasters):
What is Digital Television?
Digital Television (DTV) is an innovative new type of broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. DTV can also offer multiple programming choices, interactive capabilities and data services such as significantly enhanced closed captioning.
What are the benefits of DTV?
Digital television allows stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures, sound quality and high definition television (HDTV), DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of programming at once. This is known as "multicasting." DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.
Who will be affected?
Consumers who receive free television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners -- and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider -- will be affected by the transition.
How many households are affected?
At least 19.6 million households receive only over-the-air television signals in their homes, and approximately 70 million televisions sets are at risk of losing their signals after February 17, 2009, if owners of these sets do not make the easy transition to DTV.
How can I switch to DTV?
You can make the switch to DTV by following one of these three easy steps by February 17, 2009:
DTV converter box: Purchase a DTV converter box that plugs into your existing analog set. A converter box will enable you to receive free television reception, and is already available for purchase. The federal government will provide $40 coupons (up to 2 per household) that you may use toward the purchase of these boxes. To receive your coupons, call 1-888-388-2009 or go to www.dtv2009.gov. Coupons must be redeemed within three months of receipt.
New television set: Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.
Paid service: Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider to continue using your analog TV set, if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
What is a DTV converter box?
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.
Can I keep my analog TV set?
Yes. Buying a new digital television set is not the only option you have for navigating the DTV transition. If you wish to continue using your analog set, you must consider one of the following options to make the switch to digital television:
Purchase a DTV converter box, which will convert the new digital signal into the analog format for older televisions.
Switch to a cable, satellite or telephone company service provider to receive the new digital signal.
How do I know if I have an analog or digital television set?
To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number.
Is HDTV the same thing as DTV?
No. HDTV is the highest quality of DTV, but it is only one of several formats. In addition to HDTV, the most common format is Standard Definition Television (SDTV). Consumers who have high definition TV sets may receive free high definition television programming over the air using an antenna.
Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over the air?
In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. If you currently need a roof-top antenna to receive television, the same antenna generally will be needed to receive DTV.