Consumer

WASHINGTON (National Association of Broadcasters) ― Television as we know it has changed.

By law, television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) in 2009. DTV is a new type of broadcasting technology that delivers movie-quality pictures and sound, more channels and even high definition television (HDTV) to consumers with HD television sets.

While the benefits of DTV are remarkable, millions of households risk losing television reception unless they take the easy steps to receive a digital signal. The National Association of Broadcasters and the CBS Television Stations Group will assist you throughout the entire transition process. For more information about DTV, visit DTVAnswers.com from the National Association of Broadcasters.  You can also call the government's toll-free information line at 877-DTV-5353.

What is DTV?

Digital television (DTV) is an innovative type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.

DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.


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. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.

Troubleshooting Converter Box Problems


The FCC has created a guide to troubleshooting any problems you might have with your DTV converter box.  Click here to read the .pdf file.


What is analog television?

Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog is not as efficient as digital television: it uses up much more of the valuable spectrum than digital, and TV stations can only transmit one channel of programming with an analog signal versus up to four or more programs with a digital signal in the same amount of spectrum. Analog is also susceptible to interference and "snow" that make a picture less clear. 
Choosing An Antenna

Do I need a special antenna to receive digital television (DTV) over-the-air?

With a good indoor or outdoor antenna, you will maximize your DTV reception. In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of antenna that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. For help choosing an antenna in order to receive your free, local broadcast TV channels, visit www.antennaweb.org.

What is the DTV transition?

The DTV transition is the switchover from analog (the traditional method of transmitting television signals) to exclusively digital broadcasting of free television programming. The transition from analog to digital television represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced. The DTV transition will be completed on June 12, 2009, as set by Congress. Television stations have been preparing for the transition from analog to DTV since the late 1990s, when they began building digital facilities and airing digital channels alongside regular analog broadcasts. Today, 1,624 out of 1,762 full power television stations nationwide offer digital programming.


Why the switch?

DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels in 2009 and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format. Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs.

What equipment do I need?

If you currently receive free over-the-air television programming on an analog television set, you will need a DTV converter box to continue to receive television service after June 12, 2009.  DTV converter boxes became available in early 2008. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) instituted a coupon program.  But the program has run out of money.  Now consumers can put their names on a waiting list with the possibility of receiving a coupon.  Information about the DTV converter box coupon program is available at www.ntia.doc.gov.


What's The Difference Between More And Less Expensive Converter Boxes?

CBS 11 engineers tested six boxes and found not all converter boxes are created equal.

We found that less expensive converter boxes produce a lesser quality picture and may struggle to locate digital signals. Those boxes cost about $50. They need a strong signal from an antenna to detect a digital broadcast signal.

The better the antenna, the more likely the box is to find the signal when it scans the airwaves.

The next step up in quality costs about $60. They don't have the best on-air picture, but do have a bit more sensitivity when scanning for digital signals.

The best box tested by the CBS 11 engineering staff is from Samsung and can cost any where between $160 - $180. These will have more bells and whistles, like more audio and video inputs, HDMI output and a digital audio out put. They also produce the best picture and sound quality.

The only problem with the Samsung converter box is you can't use your government coupon to buy it.

Consumer Reports also tested digital converter boxes. Click here for the report.

What are the benefits of DTV?

Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television 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.


How do I switch?
Consumers who receive over-the-air 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.

At least 19.6 million households receive over-the-air signals exclusively in their homes, and 14.9 million households have secondary over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens. Overall, nearly 70 million television sets were at risk of losing their signals on June 12, 2009, if consumers didn't make the easy transition to DTV.

Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service:

Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set;

Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or

Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service. You can make the transition to digital television by following one of three simple steps:

Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set.

Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.

Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider.  DTV Help Website - Search For Help Locations  Can Someone come to my house? 

The Federal Communications Commission is making free house calls to help consumers struggling with the transition to digital television.

In-home services include set-up of a digital television (DTV) converter box, indoor antenna adjustments, and hooking up analog VCRs to a converter.  Among those making house calls in some communities are members of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, along with firefighters through the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  Most services will be provided by contractors hired by the FCC, who are prepared to visit around 200,000 homes over the course of the transition if needed.




For help, call 1-888CALL-FCC or visit dtv.gov and enter your zip code or state in the upper right-hand corner of the page to find local events, assistance and information.On June 12, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only digital signals.  Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to have digital-to-analog converter boxes attached to their televisions in order to continue receiving over-the-air television programming.  They may also need to adjust or upgrade their television set-top antennas. 
Can I recycle my analog TV?  Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit one of these links:


Take Back My TV
Computer Take Back
Responsible e-Cyclers
My Green Electronics
TCEQ List Of Electronic Recyclers (.pdf file)

KTVT/KTXA FCC Reports on DTV Education

First Quarter 2008 (KTVT)
First Quarter 2008 (KTXA)
Second Quarter 2008 (KTVT)
Second Quarter 2008 (KTXA)
Third Quarter 2008 (KTVT)
Third Quarter 2008 (KTXA)
Fourth Quarter 2008 (KTVT)
Fourth Quarter 2008 (KTXA)
First Quarter 2009 (KTVT)
First Quarter 2009 (KTXA)

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)