Are You Prepared for the Digital TV Transition?
By now you've likely heard of the coming transition by all television stations to exclusively Digital format. If you don't have a digital television and depend on antenna reception rather than cable or satellite TV, you're in danger of being "in the dark" this summer.
Under Federal law, all full power television stations will cease broadcasting analog signals on June 17, 2009(the original transition date of February 17, 2009 was extended by Congress earlier this year). Currently, many television stations are broadcasting in both digital and analog. Approximately 40% of all television stations have switched transitioned to a digital format.
There exist a limited number of frequencies within the broadcast spectrum. One of the primary reasons the government is mandating this switch is to free up valuable portions of the broadcast spectrum for use in public safety communications. Following the transition, police, fire and rescue agencies will have access to a greater range of frequencies.
The digital transition also has a tangible benefit for consumers. Digital broadcasting will allow TV stations to offer improved picture and sound quality. Digital broadcasting also allows stations to utilize what is known as "multicasting".
"Multicasting" is the process of providing several channels of digital programming at the same time without using any more of the broadcast spectrum. For example, a single station could broadcast in standard digital on channel 4-1, a high definition version of the program on 4-2, and a third digital program (such as weather ) on 4-3: all simultaneously. DTV can also accommodate interactive video and data technologies that are not possible with analog TV.
A portion of the broadcast spectrum will also be auctioned to wireless communications companies. These companies will then be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (wireless broadband, for example).
If you watch over-the-air TV either via a rooftop antenna or an indoor "rabbit ears" antenna, you have three options:
1. Purchase and setup a Digital-to-Analog converter box - Digital-to-analog converter boxes are available for purchase in stores, and must be hooked up to any TV in your household that currently uses an over-the-air signal. If your current antenna receives a strong signal for channels 2-51 you should not need any additional equipment. Digital-to-analog converter boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition (HDTV).The boxes are priced between $40 and $70. To help with the cost of converter boxes, the U.S. Government is offering up to two $40 coupons per household. For information on coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-388-2009.
2. Purchase a digital television - Note that you do NOT have to buy an HDTV - only a standard definition digital TV. If you get good reception on your current antenna for channels 2-51, you should not need to purchase a new antenna. For more information on the different quality levels of digital television, see the "More on Digital TV" section below.
3. Subscribe to a paid TV service - If your TV received local broadcast stations via a paid service provider such as cable or satellite TV, you are already prepared for the DTV transition.
While there are a number of different quality levels of digital television programming, three are most common:
Standard Definition Television (SDTV) - SDTV is the bottom tier of quality for both analog and digital broadcasts. SDTV may be transmitted in either traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format.
Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) - EDTV is of better quality than SDTV, and is broadcast in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format.
High Definition Television (HDTV) - Widescreen (16:9) HDTV provides the best picture and sound quality available in digital TV broadcasts. There are several different grades of resolution within the HDTV range