DTV faq’s
What is the digital TV (DTV) transition? What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting? Do I have to wait until after February 17, 2009 to watch DTV? If I have an older analog television, will I have to throw it away after February 17, 2009? How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)? How do I know if I already have a digital TV (DTV)? What is the difference between “Integrated” DTVs and DTV or HDTV “Monitors”? How do I get DTV or HDTV programming? Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air? How do I know if I already have digital programming through my cable or satellite TV service? My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV? Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service? Can I hook up more than one TV and video recorder to a single digital-to-analog converter box? What is the digital TV (DTV) transition? The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is In addition to the improved picture and sound quality of DTV, With the transition to digital, consumers will also benefit What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting? Because Congress mandated that the last day for full-power To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up Do I have to wait until after February 17, 2009 to watch DTV? No, digital television is available now. If you watch If I have an older analog television, will I have to throw it away after February 17, 2009? No. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you If I want a new TV, will I have to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television after the transition? No. It is important to understand that the DTV transition is How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)? By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television Consumer Alert This television receiver has only an analog broadcast Therefore, all television equipment being sold should How do I know if I already have a digital TV (DTV)? Many DTVs and digital television equipment will have If your television set is labeled as a “Digital Monitor” or Over-the-air digital set-top boxes for Digital or HD If your television set is labeled as “analog” or “NTSC,” and If you cannot determine whether your television set or other Because most broadcast stations in all U.S. television What is the difference between “Integrated” DTVs and DTV or HDTV “Monitors”? An Integrated DTV set is a television with a In contrast, a DTV Monitor is not capable of receiving If you have a digital or HD “Monitor” and would like to What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set? Yes. Digital television sets are “backward How do I get DTV or HDTV programming? In order to receive over-the-air digital programming (as A listing of the U.S. TV stations that are broadcasting Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air? In general, dependable reception of over-the-air How do I know if I already have digital programming through my cable or satellite TV service? You may receive digital programming if you subscribe My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV? No. “Digital cable” and high definition programming Do cable TV networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital broadcasting as well? No. The current requirement to switch from analog to Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service? Your cable system decides when and whether to carry Can I hook up more than one TV and video recorder to a single digital-to-analog converter box? You will need one digital-to-analog converter box What about my portable, battery-powered analog TV? Will I be able to use it to watch broadcast TV after February 17, 2009? Portable, battery-powered analog TVs may be able to I have an old antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Will I be able to use a converter box with this antenna? Yes, but you may need to get an antenna adapter
What will happen to the old analog TVs that will be replaced by DTVs? Will there be an effort to recycle them? There are recycling programs for those who choose to Will the February 17, 2009 date for the end of full-power analog television broadcasting be pushed back? Federal law mandates that February 17, 2009 is the What are low-power (LPTV), Class A, and TV translator stations and how does the DTV transition affect them? You may have noticed that Congress mandated that The FCC created low-power television (LPTV) service in 1982 Class A TV stations are former LPTV stations that have A TV translator station rebroadcasts the programs of a There are several ways to determine whether the broadcast While the February 17, 2009 deadline for ending analog Viewers should look for information from their LPTV, Class What is a digital TV converter box? A digital TV converter box hooks up to a conventional analog TV set, allowing it to receive digital broadcasts. This device is sometimes called a “digital-to-analog converter box,” “set-top converter box” or “digital TV adapter.” Set-top box will not give your analog TV high-definition capabilities; no device is capable of that, a set-top HD receiver, also known as an HD tuner will be needed. While intended for an “HD-ready” television, some models can also be used with an analog TV, functioning like a converter box.
HDTV | DTV | Digital Television Transition FAQ’s
referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress
authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast
TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while
simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress
mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television
stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are
currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009,
full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.
an important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will
free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety
communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some
of the spectrum will be auctioned to wireless companies for the provision of
advanced commercial wireless services (such as wireless broadband).
from a more flexible and efficient technology than the outdated analog system.
For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog programming
channel, a broadcaster will be able to provide a super sharp “high definition”
(HD) program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs
simultaneously. Providing several simultaneous programs on one broadcast channel
is called “multicasting.” This means more choices of free programming for
viewers. Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are
not possible with analog technology.
television stations to broadcast in analog would be February 17, 2009,
over-the-air TV broadcasts will be in digital only after that date. If you have
one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air television programming
(with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is
very important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will
allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17,
2009. However, if you have an analog television, you will need a
digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on
that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional
multicast programming that your local stations are offering.
established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the
Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every U.S. household is
eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of
eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. You will be able to request the
coupons beginning in January of 2008. The coupons may only be used for eligible
converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, and the
coupons must be used at the time of purchase. Manufacturers estimate that
digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $50 to $70 each. This is a
one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s website at
www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634
(TTY).
to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17,
2009 cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting.
over-the-air television today, you should be able to receive all or most of your
local stations’ digital signals if you have a DTV receiver. You may view high
definition and multicast programming from your local stations. Check your local
program listings or contact your local TV stations to find out more about the
digital television available now. The FCC’s special website,
www.dtv.gov, has more information on digital
television, or call 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).
to continue using your existing analog TV to watch over-the-air digital
broadcasts. You do not need to get rid of your existing analog TV. In
addition, analog sets should continue to work as before if connected to
a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV. Also, analog sets
should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and
similar products that you use now.
a transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. It is not a
transition from analog broadcasting to High Definition broadcasting. Digital
broadcasting allows for High Definition broadcasts, but High Definition is not
required, and you do not need to buy a HDTV to watch digital TV. A Standard
Definition DTV (which is simply a TV with an internal digital tuner), or a
digital-to-analog converter box hooked to an analog TV, is all that is required
to continue watching over-the-air broadcast television. Digital broadcast
television includes Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) formats.
You can watch High Definition programming on a Standard Definition DTV (or on an
analog TV hooked to a digital-to-analog converter box), but it won’t be in full
High Definition quality. It is also important to know that Standard Definition
DTVs are comparably priced to similar sized analog TVs.
reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the
U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner.
Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing
inventory, but must prominently display on or near the analog-only
device a Consumer Alert label with this advisory:
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.
contain a digital tuner, or should be identified at the point-of-sale as not
having one. Be aware of this label and the limitations of analog-only devices if
you are purchasing a new TV or other TV equipment.
labels or markings on them, or statements in the informational materials
that came with them, to indicate that they contain digital tuners. These
labels or markings may contain the words “Integrated Digital Tuner,”
“Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” or “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,”
“ATSC,” or “HDTV” (High Definition television). If your television
equipment contains any of these labels or markings, you should be able
to view digital over-the-air programming without the need for a
digital-to-analog converter box. (Remember, you do not need an HDTV to
view free over-the-air digital programming. As long as your television
equipment contains a digital tuner, you can view over-the-air digital.
An HDTV is only necessary if you want to view High Definition
programming in full HD quality.) You should also check the manual or any
other materials that came with your television equipment in order to
determine whether it contains a digital tuner.
“HDTV Monitor,” or as “Digital Ready” or “HDTV Ready,” this does not mean it
actually contains a digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate
set-top box which contains a digital tuner in order to view over-the-air digital
programming.
“Monitors” can be purchased at retail stores. Cable and satellite TV providers
also sell or lease digital set-top boxes for their specific services. (Note: the
digital set-top box described here is not the same as the digital-to-analog
converter box, described above, used to convert free over-the-air digital
broadcasts for viewing on an analog TV set.)
is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only.
television equipment contains a digital tuner, you are advised to check your
equipment for the manufacturer name and model number, and then contact your
consumer electronics retailer, or the manufacturer, to determine whether it
contains a digital tuner. This information also may be available online through
the manufacturer’s website.
markets are already broadcasting in digital, consumers can watch DTV today. You
can contact your local broadcast stations to determine the channel numbers on
which the stations are currently broadcasting digital programming. You should
then ensure that your television is set up to receive over-the-air programming
(as distinguished from being connected to a paid provider such as cable or
satellite TV service), and then tune to the over-the-air digital channels to see
if your set can receive the digital broadcast programming.
built-in digital tuner (also referred to as “a DTV”). A digital tuner is
also sometimes called a DTV decoder or DTV receiver. If you have an
Integrated DTV, you will not need any additional equipment, with the
exception of a broadcast antenna (either a rooftop antenna or “rabbit
ears” connected to the set), to receive over-the-air digital broadcast
programming. Integrated DTVs can also receive and display analog
broadcast programming, so you can continue watching analog broadcasts.
digital broadcast programming without additional equipment; it is simply a
display device without the processing capability for DTV reception. A digital or
HD set-top box must be connected between the antenna and the monitor to receive
and display over-the-air digital or HD programming.
purchase a digital or HD set-top box to view over-the-air programming, confirm
with your retailer that the set-top box is compatible with your Monitor.
compatible,” meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players,
camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets. However,
their video will only be displayed in the maximum resolution that is
available with each analog product. Manufacturers are producing a number
of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture
and sound quality when DTVs are used with existing analog equipment.
Check with your retailer to determine the types of connectors that will
work with your equipment.
opposed to digital programming provided by a paid provider such as cable or
satellite TV service), you will need: (1) a DTV (a TV with a digital tuner) or
an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box and (2) a
broadcast antenna (either a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” connected to your
set). In general, an antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air
analog TV broadcasting will work for digital TV broadcasting.
digital programming is available at
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonair.html. Satellite TV providers and
many cable systems are currently offering digital programming. Subscribers
should check with their service providers to see what digital programming is
available in their area.
digital TV programming will require the same type of signal reception
equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of
analog TV programming. If you need a roof-top antenna to receive analog
TV broadcasts, the same antenna generally will work to receive digital
TV broadcasts. You should not have to purchase new antennas that are
marketed as “digital ready” or “HD ready.”
to a digital or HD package from your provider and you are viewing the
digital programming on a digital set. However, the digital cable tier
and satellite TV service are not necessarily DTV. Your cable or
satellite TV system may be using digital technology as a more efficient
way of delivering analog programming to you. If you have an analog
television set, then you are probably not getting digital, even though
the reception may be somewhat improved. Check with your cable or
satellite TV provider to find out what kinds of programming you can
receive, and what equipment you need to receive it.
on cable are not the same. If you want to watch HDTV programming on
cable, you will need to subscribe to your cable provider’s HDTV package
and view the programming on an HDTV set. You may also need a set-top box
or other equipment to view HDTV programming. Check with your cable
provider to find out what kinds of programming you can receive, and what
equipment you need to receive it.
digital only applies to full-power broadcast TV stations, which use the public
airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming. However, as cable providers
convert to digital transmissions over their systems, you may need to subscribe
to their digital tier to continue to receive this non-broadcast programming.
programming on a digital tier, which may mean that you will need digital
equipment. However, all of your local stations will continue to be
available in analog format for as long as your cable system offers any
analog service.
for each TV set or other device (such as a VCR) that only has an analog
tuner. The digital-to-analog converter box basically replaces the analog
tuner in one piece of equipment. So if you want to use your analog TV
and VCR at the same time (for example, to watch one program and record
another simultaneously), you will need two digital-to-analog converter
boxes.
receive over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009 if they have
the inputs necessary to allow them to be connected to a
digital-to-analog converter box. Because it is not anticipated that
battery powered digital-to-analog converter boxes will be produced, an
external power source would also be required.
(also called a “balun”) to which you will connect your antenna on one
end, and then connect the balun to your converter box. You will then
need a second adapter to connect to the converter box with a length of
antenna wire to connect to your TV.
discard old analog TVs or other old electronic products (but remember,
analog TVs can continue to be used after the transition). One such
program is myGreenElectronics. Through this program you can learn about
disposal options and locate recycling programs near you. Go to
http://www.mygreenelectronics.org for more information.
last day of full-power analog television broadcasting. Government
agencies, industry, public interest groups, and other interested
organizations are working hard to make sure that the deadline is met and
that everyone is prepared for the end of full-power analog television
broadcasting.
“full-power” TV stations will not be able to broadcast in analog after
February 17, 2009. While the majority of the viewed TV broadcast
stations are full-power stations, three other categories of TV stations
exist – “low-power” stations, “Class A” stations, and “TV translator”
stations. There is currently no deadline for these stations to convert
to digital broadcasting.
to provide opportunities for locally-oriented television service in small
communities. These communities may be in rural areas or may be individual
communities within larger urban areas. LPTV stations are operated by diverse
groups and organizations including high schools and colleges, churches and
religious groups, local governments, large and small businesses and individual
citizens. More than 2,100 licensed LPTV stations are in operation. LPTV
programming can include satellite-delivered programming services, syndicated
programs, movies, and a wide range of locally-produced programs.
certain interference protection rights not available to LPTV stations. These
stations are technically similar to LPTV stations, but unlike LPTV stations must
air at least three hours of locally-produced programming each week and comply
with most of the non-technical regulations applicable to full-power stations.
Approximately 600 licensed Class A TV stations are in operation.
full-power TV broadcast station. Translator stations typically serve communities
that cannot receive the signals of free over-the-air TV stations because they
are too far away from a full-power TV station or because of geography (such as
uneven terrain or mountains). Many of the 4,700 licensed TV translator stations
operate in mountainous or more remote areas of the country.
stations you view over-the-air (with a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” attached
to your TV) are LPTV, Class A or TV translator stations. Class A stations are
required to visually or aurally identify their stations with their community of
license and call sign (that includes the suffix “-CA” for Class A) at sign on,
sign off, and on an hourly basis. LPTV stations also must regularly identify
their station call sign. When locally originating programming, they must
visually or aurally identify their call sign and community of license at sign
on, sign off, and hourly. LPTV call signs may consist of four letters followed
by the suffix “-LP” (for low power) or, alternatively, five characters beginning
with the letters K or W followed by two numbers (their operating channel) and
two additional letters. Also, some TV translators are identified by the
full-power TV stations whose signals they rebroadcast. Further, LPTV, Class A,
and TV translator stations may regularly broadcast information as to their
status, and may include information regarding the DTV transition.
broadcasts does not apply to low-power, Class A, and TV translator stations, the
FCC will require these stations to convert to digital broadcasting some time
thereafter. Nearly 2,000 of these stations have been authorized to construct
digital facilities and some are broadcasting in digital already. The FCC is
currently considering the remaining issues involved with the low-power digital
transition and will make decisions regarding these stations in the future.
A, and TV translator stations about plans to convert from analog to digital
broadcasting. Viewers should also visit www.fcc.gov for any updates on the digital transition of low-power, Class A, and TV translator stations.
