D Day, 2009
You're probably at least peripherally aware of the impending transition to digital television (DTV). You may not yet know what it means to you, or what you'll need to do to get ready.
Basically, "On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels."
In other words, television broadcasting will start employing a new technology to send out signal, which will require you to have new technology to receive that signal. In the past, broadcast signal was "analog." Starting in 2009, it will be "digital." (Analog was the old method of varying carrier waves by frequency and amplitude to encode information; digital is "A form of transmission that transforms analog signals such as speech into a series of electrical or optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0 and 1.")
Why are they doing this? According to the government, who is demanding this change, "Converting to DTV (also) will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services."
The "also" part referred to above is the sales pitch for DTV: "Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities."
So, aside from better picture and sound quality, and more programming choices, what does all this mean to you? You'll have to have a television set, and a cable box, that are equipped to handle the new signal.
If you have (very) recently purchased a new television, or plan to, you're in luck. As of March, 2007, "all new TVs must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner."
But here's the part you need to watch out for: "Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009." So, in other words, caveat emptor (buyer, beware): a retailer can still sell you a set that basically won't work after February 17, 2009. (At least, it won't work without a converter... but more about that in a moment!).
The FCC does require that non-digital sets carry this warning:
"This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation's transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission's digital television website at: www.DTV.gov"
So, if you're buying a new TV, look for that statement. If you see it, you're better off not buying that set.
What do you do if you have a perfectly good analog TV?
That depends. If you watch television "over the air," that is, you simply pick the TV signal up directly, or through such devices as an outside antenna, you're going to need a converter box when "D" (for digital) Day arrives. You'll need a set-top converter box: "These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality." So, you'll be able to see your shows, though not necessarily with full digital quality.
Because the U. S. Government is imposing this change, they have also created the "Converter Box Coupon Program" to assist citizens in making the conversion (assuming they don't want to go out and invest a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in a new digital television set). "Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov."
And what if you have cable? You're going to need new DTV equipment. Same for satellite subscribers. In both cases, you'll need to contact your specific provider for more information.
For more information, go to: www.dtv.gov (source of quotes in this article).
Basically, "On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels."
In other words, television broadcasting will start employing a new technology to send out signal, which will require you to have new technology to receive that signal. In the past, broadcast signal was "analog." Starting in 2009, it will be "digital." (Analog was the old method of varying carrier waves by frequency and amplitude to encode information; digital is "A form of transmission that transforms analog signals such as speech into a series of electrical or optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0 and 1.")
Why are they doing this? According to the government, who is demanding this change, "Converting to DTV (also) will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services."
The "also" part referred to above is the sales pitch for DTV: "Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities."
So, aside from better picture and sound quality, and more programming choices, what does all this mean to you? You'll have to have a television set, and a cable box, that are equipped to handle the new signal.
If you have (very) recently purchased a new television, or plan to, you're in luck. As of March, 2007, "all new TVs must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner."
But here's the part you need to watch out for: "Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009." So, in other words, caveat emptor (buyer, beware): a retailer can still sell you a set that basically won't work after February 17, 2009. (At least, it won't work without a converter... but more about that in a moment!).
The FCC does require that non-digital sets carry this warning:
"This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation's transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission's digital television website at: www.DTV.gov"
So, if you're buying a new TV, look for that statement. If you see it, you're better off not buying that set.
What do you do if you have a perfectly good analog TV?
That depends. If you watch television "over the air," that is, you simply pick the TV signal up directly, or through such devices as an outside antenna, you're going to need a converter box when "D" (for digital) Day arrives. You'll need a set-top converter box: "These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality." So, you'll be able to see your shows, though not necessarily with full digital quality.
Because the U. S. Government is imposing this change, they have also created the "Converter Box Coupon Program" to assist citizens in making the conversion (assuming they don't want to go out and invest a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in a new digital television set). "Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov."
And what if you have cable? You're going to need new DTV equipment. Same for satellite subscribers. In both cases, you'll need to contact your specific provider for more information.
For more information, go to: www.dtv.gov (source of quotes in this article).
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