The Transition to Digital Television (DTV) is coming. Will Your Television Work Next Year?

Are you ready for the most significant upgrade in television since color TV?

The transition from analog to digital television (DTV) represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced. While it seems that every technology we use today -- including cell phones, music and radio – is all digital, television is not. The DTV transition is well underway and will be completed on February 17, 2009.

For California consumers, the benefits of digital television are amazing: crystal clear pictures and CD quality sound; enhanced closed captioning for the hearing impaired; and more choices through additional digital side channels – such as all weather or all traffic channels.

What’s your role?

You need to take action if you are one of the 2 million California homes that rely exclusively on free, over-the-air broadcasts made available through a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears." To make sure your family continues to receive free, over-the-air television, just follow one of these simple steps:

1) Use a DTV converter box so that your analog television set can receive the new digital broadcast
The DTV converter box, sometimes referred to as a set-top box, is an electronic device that makes the new digital signal viewable on an older television set. To help cover the cost of the converter box (which usually sells between $40 and $70), the federal government is offering you two converter box coupons, valued at $40 each. For more information about the converter box coupon program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov. When you receive your coupons, a list of local stores carrying the converter boxes will be enclosed.

2) Upgrade to a television set with a built-in digital tuner
Another option you may choose is to purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. All television sets manufactured after March 2007 are required to have a digital tuner. As with older sets, you will need a basic antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog television signals to pick up free digital broadcast programming from local stations. For information on DTV antennas visit www.AntennaWeb.org.

If you already have a digital tuner in your television, or subscribe to a cable, satellite or telephone company television service, you can relax and wait. All of these services will allow you to receive digital television signals on analog television sets (as long as they are connected to the service). No additional equipment is required for consumers who decide to go this route.

Studies have shown that Californians most at risk to lose their television signal will be senior citizens, non-English speaking households, the economically disadvantaged and those living in rural areas. Local television stations are a primary source of emergency information for Amber Alerts, weather warnings and other disaster information critical to viewer safety. Your stations are using strategies such as public service announcements, news reports, town hall meetings, partnerships with local service organizations and other promotional efforts to ensure these services are not cut off.

The Legislature has designated May 2008 as DTV Education Month and a van will be traveling the state advising viewers about the transition. Many non-profit organizations and retail businesses are assisting in this massive educational campaign. The goal is to ensure that those who need to take action are given accurate information and know where to go for help.

The digital television transition is coming in February 2009, and it means a better quality television experience for everyone. But don’t wait until next year to figure out what to do. Get prepared TODAY for DTV.

Additional information about the DTV transition is available at www.dtvanswers.com.

Confused?

Take the on line quiz and find out how the DTV Transition will affect you.

Need a converter box?

Viewers using an existing analog receiver with an indoor or outdoor antenna may purchase a "set-top converter box." This box - installed between the antenna and TV set - will convert the new digital signals to the longtime analog format and allow continued use of an older television set.

These new converter boxes retail between $60 and $80 and are available for purchase at many retail locations.

The US Government is offering a converter box coupon program -and all households in the country will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each - to be used toward the purchase of up to two (2) digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Consumers may request coupons by visiting www.dtv2009.gov - or by calling: 1-888-DTV-2009.

See the most recent list of NTIA-certified retailers who are authorized to accept the converter box coupons here.

Installation of the set-top converter boxes can typically be performed by consumers with basic wiring skills - and is similar to the installation of a VCR or other video component. Get a "help to" diagram to assist consumers here.

Antenna

Remember that you will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set; your current antenna may be adequate, depending on your reception conditions.

Past antenna performance is no guarantee of reliable reception of new digital television signals!

Consumers who elect to continue to receive their local television service with an over-the-air (non-cable/satellite) antenna may find it necessary to upgrade their existing indoor or outdoor antenna.

Digital television receivers, including the set-top converter boxes - require a strong, consistent signal from an antenna.

Depending on the distance from your local digital television station towers, it may be necessary to replace an indoor "rabbit ear" antenna with a suitable outdoor roof-mounted antenna to receive the local channels you desire. In some cases - consumers with an existing outdoor roof-mounted antenna may find the need to upgrade to a larger, more powerful antenna - or may need to re-aim their current antenna as some local broadcasters may have had to relocate their towers for the digital transmissions.

For detailed information on specific antenna requirements at your address, visit antennaweb.org.

Home