How do I know whether my TV is analog or digital?

• To determine whether your TV has a digital tuner, check for labels or markings containing the words "Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver," or "Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC," 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 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. Therefore, you may need a separate set-top box which contains a digital tuner in order to view over-the-air digital programming.

How do I know if my converter box works?

• Consumers can begin enjoying the benefits of digital television today. Because most full-power stations are currently broadcasting both in digital and analog, viewers can plug in their converter boxes and generally receive a clearer picture and more channels, where they are available.

My application for the converter box coupon was denied. Why?

• Applicants for the digital-to-analog converter box must meet the Census definition of a household as consisting of "all persons who currently occupy a house, apartment, mobile home, group of rooms, or single room that is occupied as separate living quarters and has a separate U.S. postal address." A household is defined as separate living quarters with a separate U.S. Postal address. If your request has been denied, you may file an appeal with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) online at www.dtv2009.gov.

Can my cable company require me to obtain a set-top box?

• Some cable companies have decided to switch to digital service. This is a business decision made by the cable companies and is not required by the federal government. Your cable company may decide to move certain cable channels off of its analog service tier and onto a digital service tier, or it may decide to switch to all-digital service at once, so that there is no analog service tier for any subscribers. If your cable company decides to move some or all of the channels it provides onto a digital service tier, it may notify you that you need to get "digital cable" equipment to continue receiving that cable service. This may include renting or purchasing a digital cable set-top box or purchasing a digital cable ready TV equipped with a "CableCARD" slot. The digital cable equipment is different from the digital-to-analog converter boxes that are used to receive over-the-air broadcast signals.

How can I get rid of my old, analog TV?

• There are recycling programs for those who choose to discard old, analog TVs or other old, electronic products (but remember, analog TVs can continue to be used after the transition). One such program is myGreenElectronics. Through this program, you can learn about disposal options and locate recycling programs near you. Go to http://www.mygreenelectronics.org for more information.

For more information about the DTV transition, consumers may call the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department at 305-375-3677.

About CSD
The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department (CSD) investigates and mediates consumer complaints, enforces the County's consumer protection laws and business regulations, and licenses certain businesses. In addition, the department's Cooperative Extension Division provides technical assistance to commercial agricultural growers, backyard gardeners, homeowners, and manages youth and family development programs. The department also educates consumers on issues that affect them and provides resources to the public to improve their quality of life.