Digital Television Transition FAQ

On February 17, 2009 every television station in the U.S. will stop airing programming in analog form and begin digital television broadcasting (DTV). This is one of the most significant developments in television since the advent of color programming in the 1960s.

DTV allows television stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality to viewers, including high-definition (HD) images for viewers with HD television sets. Like computers, the new technology transmits television pictures and sound information as data bits, allowing stations to broadcast more programs than is possible with an analog system.

The transition to digital will impact how you receive television transmissions, and some viewers will need new equipment to view DTV.

Question: Why is television converting to digital broadcasting?

The change to DTV offers viewers superior picture resolution, interactive video, and data services that surpass the quality and offerings of analog television. DTV also allows broadcasters to “multi-cast” their programming, or to air both standard and high definition programs at the same time. This frees broadcasting space to allow for more public safety programming and advanced wireless services.

Question: As a cable subscriber, how will this change affect me?

Customers who access their television service through a cable provider, will probably not be affected at all by the transition. Your cable provider is able to accommodate both analog and DTV technologies through its customer converter boxes; therefore no change in your existing equipment should be necessary.

Question: If I subscribe to satellite television, will I need new equipment?

No. As in the case of cable subscribers, your satellite television company should be able to accommodate DTV broadcasting without requiring any change in your present equipment.

Question: If I access television programming with an antenna - on my television set or on my roof - how will I be affected?

Television viewers who use a set-top (rabbit ears) or a rooftop antenna have analog television sets which will not be able to receive DTV broadcasts effective February 2009. In order to continue to watch television, you need to take one of the following steps:

1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will plug into your existing television set. The box will receive digital over-the-air signals from your antenna and convert them to analog which will allow the signal to be viewed on your existing set. Converter boxes are available for purchase online or at electronics retailers nationwide. Prices range from approximately $40 to $70 per box. U.S. households can request up to two digital converter box coupons - valued at $40 each - which can be applied to the purchase of set-top converter boxes. More information about obtaining converter box coupons can be found at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling (888) DTV-2009.
2. Subscribe to a cable, satellite, or other pay television provider. Be sure to check that all of the stations you want to view are carried by the company. Most providers offer different levels of pricing based on the number of broadcast and cable television networks you can view.
3. Purchase a new television set which has a built-in digital tuner.

Question: What is the difference between DTV and HDTV?

All DTV broadcasts are not high-definition, nor are high-definition channels automatically available to viewers who receive DTV transmissions. HDTV (high-definition television) offers the highest quality picture available with DTV and requires both an HDTV television set as well as a subscription to a cable, satellite, or other pay television’s HD programming.