DTV Conversion 2009

National Conversion from Analog to All-Digital Television

On February 17, 2009, the nation’s television broadcasting system will change from an analog broadcasting system to a digital broadcasting system. This will not effect PBTV subscribers. This will only effect those who receive their television signal via rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears". They will need to get a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box. Details about the conversion and how to obtain a coupon for a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box are below.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE NATION’S CONVERSION TO ALL-DIGITAL TELEVISION

On February 17, 2009, the nation’s television broadcasting system will change from an analog broadcasting system to a digital broadcasting system.  TV stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital formats. After February 17, 2009, full-power TV stations will cease analog operations and begin broadcasting in digital format only. The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.

Digital broadcasting allows TV stations to offer improved service.  This can take the form of improvements in picture and sound quality, including super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital programs and/or allow stations to offer multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program. This means more programming choices for viewers. In order to obtain the full benefits of these improvements, viewers must have a TV that is equipped with a digital tuner.  The Federal Communications Commission has required that all new TVs with screen sizes of 13” or more must be equipped with digital tuners.  Many older TV sets purchased before this FCC requirement went into place can only receive analog signals.

For viewers who have one or more TVs that receive free over-the-air programming with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV, the type of TV you own is very important. A digital TV (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering. In some cases a converter box is not enough and the TV may need to be replaced.

TV sets that receive programming from a multichannel video program distributor (MVPD), such as Paul Bunyan Television, or a satellite carrier (e.g., DirecTV or Dish Network), a cable television system operator or their local telephone company should experience no change in their ability to receive the programming, including TV broadcast stations, that they currently subscribe to regardless of the type of set that they own.  However, in some cases, additional equipment may be needed from your service provider.  Auxiliary equipment, such as gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products should continue to function after the DTV transition as they did before.

To assist consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes, while supplies last.  You can request the coupons online at www.dtv2009.gov.  The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of purchase. Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s Web site at www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

It is important to note that these converter boxes are expressly designed to allow analog television sets to receive digital television signals that are received directly off-the-air from a rooftop antenna or a pair of rabbit ears and should be used only on analog televisions that are not receiving service from an MVPD.  If you experience problems receiving television stations on sets that are connected to MVPD service, you will need to contact your service provider.

There are many sources of information about the digital transition but one of the best is the government’s Web site www.dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in DTV, and much more. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

More Information

• www.dtv2009.gov or 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY)
• www.dtv.gov or FCC: 1-888-CALL-FCC