January 3, 2008
Gearing Up For The Digital Television Transition

By Dave Maxwell

Millions of $40 government coupons became available January 2, 2008 to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes for older TVs that might not work after the switch to nationwide digital broadcasting.

In today’s world, digital broadcasting, using 1’s and 0’s in an infinite number of combinations, is widespread. Analog television uses a continuous wave, and since the beginning of digital, the two have operated very nicely right alongside one another.

Analog service ends in February 2009, freeing the spectrum for other uses such as public safety, i.e., police, fire and rescue departments. Some will be auctioned for wireless communication such as wireless broadband.

When the change comes, your analog TV must be capable of receiving digital signals. If you have cable or satellite right now, you will still be able to use the old TV, if you have the necessary equipment. Contact your local provider to find out what equipment you might need to have. Telephone companies’ fiber-optic service should also continue to work.

If you use an antenna, your television will need a digital, or ATSC, tuner. Do not confuse this with NTSC tuners, which are analog.

All of this means that after the February 2009 date, TV stations will have to broadcast programs over the air in digital format instead of analog. A person with an analog receiver or TV will need to buy a converter box.

Laws have helped ease the transition for consumers. Since July 2005, digital tuners have been required in sets 35 inches or larger. The same requirement was made for sets 25-inches or larger in March 2006. And since March 2007, televisions that have analog tuners have been required to be clearly marked as such.

All HD TV’s are capable of receiving digital signals. Older standard-definition CRT sets are not.

If you are still planning to have antenna reception after February 2009, converter boxes can be purchased to translate analog signals to digital. Your TV will need to have inputs for the converter. Cost of the converter boxes when they become available should be between $50 to $75.

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government has established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. Customers can now apply for two $40 coupons per household to be used toward the purchase of the converters that can be purchased at most major electronic retail stores beginning in February. Coupons expire 90 days after you receive them in the mail.

To request a coupon, consumers can apply online to the FCC at www.dtv2009.gov. or a 24-hour hotline at 1-888-388-2009 or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

A converter box will not give you a High Definition signal. Your old TV is not set high enough for that, so the converter downgrades the signal for analog use.

The giveaway program basically works on the honor system. The first 22 million coupons will go to all households that request them. Tony Wilhelm, Director of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said the agency expects to have enough coupons to satisfy the demand. “We think the high number will be 26 million. The low end is 10 million,” he said.

You can also use a DVR as a signal receiver. It contains a digital tuner. After connecting the receiver, you leave it on to watch television. You change the channel on the DVR rather than the TV itself. You will still see the picture in the normal standard definition mode. But if you do have an HD receiver, your picture will also be high-def.

You can learn more about the transition to digital television on the FCC’s site at www.dtv.gov or you can call 1-888-CALL-FCC (225-5322).