At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to digital broadcasting. This is referred to as the digital TV transition, or DTV.
Many DTVs and digital television equipment will have labels or markings on them, or statements in the informational materials that came with them, to indicate that they contain digital tuners. These labels or markings may contain the words "Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver," or "Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC" (for Advanced Television Systems Committee), or "HDTV" (High Definition television). If your television equipment contains any of these labels or markings, you should be able to view digital over-the-air programming without the need for a digital-to-analog converter box.
If your television set is labeled as a "Digital Monitor" or "HDTV Monitor," or as "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready," this does not mean it actually contains a digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate set-top box which contains a digital tuner in order to view over-the-air digital programming. Or subscribe to cable or satellite TV service.
If your television set is labeled as "analog" or "NTSC," and is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only.
If you have not purchased a new television in the last few years, your TV is probably analog.
If I have an analog-only TV, what do I need to do?
Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog 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.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a converter box and will continue to receive television programming.
Consumers with analog TVs have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. The box converts the digital signal to analog and plugs into your TV to keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
TV converter boxes are expected to be available beginning in mid-February 2008 at retailers where you would normally buy consumer electronics products. The federal government is certifying retailers to sell the boxes. Before shopping for your converter box, you might want to call ahead to make sure retailers have converter boxes available.
What is the federal coupon program for the converter box?
Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, which can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
When TV converter boxes are available, retail stores will set the price. TV converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70. The Federal Government permits each U.S. household up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of the converter box. After applying the coupon, participating retailers will charge consumers the remaining balance of between $10 and $30. Consumers will also be responsible for paying any sales tax on the box.
Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634
Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Download a Coupon Application at www.dtv2009.gov.
Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
The coupon will be in the form of a plastic card similar to the gift cards used by retailers. The coupon will expire 90 days after it is mailed to you and replacements cannot be obtained if the card expires or is lost.
Make sure it has a digital tuner. Check the labeling on the box. Verify with the salesperson.
By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory, but must prominently display on or near the analog-only device a Consumer Alert label with this advisory:
Consumer Alert 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-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission's digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.
What kinds of digital television sets are on the market?
There are a variety of choices in DTV screens. Today, the primary options are:
Cathode ray tube (CRT) screens - traditional color television screens updated for digital;
Rear Projection TVs - rear projection TVs can create brilliant, wide angle pictures on ever-larger screens;
LCD screens - are very thin and produce extremely clear pictures but are currently expensive and limited in size;
Plasma screens - create a bright, clear picture up to enormous sizes while remaining very thin.
There are many quality levels of digital television programming. The most common are:
Standard Definition TV (SDTV) - SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV) - EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV.
High Definition TV (HDTV) - HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing -- HDTV is one format of digital TV).
What do I need to do if I am connected to a cable or satellite TV service?
Cable and Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable or satellite provider what you will need. Depending on your service, you may be required to install a set-top converter box. Your cable company will determine the cost.
What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set?
Yes. Digital television sets are "backward compatible," meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets. However, their video will only be displayed in the maximum resolution that is available with each analog product. Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound quality when DTVs are used with existing analog equipment. Check with your retailer to determine the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.
