2/17/09
The end of analog TV in the US
Got specific questions about digital TV in your area of Maine? MAB has answers -- visit DTVforME
DTV is coming! Are you ready?
On February 17, 2009, analog TV broadcasting will cease in the United States, and TV stations will broadcast only digital signals. Here are the key points you need to know about the transition:
- America is switching to digital television (DTV) because it offers improved television pictures and sound, and is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog.
- The benefits of digital broadcasting are remarkable. DTV provides crystal clear pictures and sound, and it offers high-definition broadcasting for consumers with HD-capable TV sets.
- DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple programs simultaneously – called "multicasting" – instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time.
- Despite the advantages of the move to digital, many consumers do not know that the transition will be completed in 2009. This transition will directly impact the almost 20 million households that rely exclusively on free broadcast television in their homes, as well as homes that subscribe to cable but may have TVs that receive only over-the-air signals. Hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other facilities with TV sets may also be affected.
Here are a consumer-oriented newsletter article on the transition, a "decision tree" to help you figure out whether you need a converter box, and a fact sheet on the converter coupon program.
- NO, you don't have to toss out your old TV set! There are three ways people can transition to digital:
1) Purchase a new TV set with a built-in digital tuner. It will work with your existing rooftop or other antenna, but you may need a more powerful antenna. Check www.antennaweb.org for recommended solutions for your area. This is the best way to receive digital and high-definition broadcast-TV signals.
2) Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the new digital signal into the old format for an existing analog television set.
3) Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telephone company television service provider, in which case analog sets will continue to function. But digital signals may be processed and "downconverted" by the service provider, so the picture quality may not be as good as if you were receiving the digital signals directly over the air. Note, however, that cable companies may not be carrying all of a TV station's "multicast" digital programming streams. Also, the satellite TV providers do not carry local TV signals in all areas of Maine. DirecTV does not carry local signals in the Bangor area, and neither DirecTV nor DISH Network carries local signals in the Presque Isle area. In these areas, you will need an antenna in order to receive digital broadcast signals. The telephone companies in Maine are not currently providing video service.
- Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion to fund a digital-to-analog converter box coupon program. The program is being administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA). (See link below.)
- Households may request up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, toward the purchase of a converter box. Coupons will be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service, and consumers will have 90 days to redeem them. With the coupons will be sent a list of area retailers who carry the converter boxes. To request a coupon, consumers can apply online at http://www.dtv2009.gov. The government has also set up a 24-hour hotline to take requests, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) - TTY 1-877-530-2634. Note that, as of Spring 2008, the coupon program was backlogged. It may be 8 to 10 weeks from the time you request a coupon until you receive it. Be patient! The 90-day redemption window doesn't open until the coupon is actually mailed to you.
- Converter boxes are available for purchase at consumer electronics retailers, at an estimated price of $40 to $70. Here is the list of Maine retailers that are authorized to sell coupon-eligible converter boxes. Here is the link to a list of online and telephone retailers.
Ø 19.6 million households that rely exclusively on free broadcast television.
Ø 14.6 million households that subscribe to a pay TV service, but have other over-the-air-only television sets in their homes.
Ø Approximately 70 million television sets nationwide will be affected.
- Digital broadcasts are already available. Today, more than 1,600 television stations nationwide, or over 92% of full power stations*, are already broadcasting using digital transmission.
A variety of Web sites offer information and resources on the digital television (DTV) transition:
www.DTVanswers.com: The National Association of Broadcasters has developed a consumer-friendly website that answers basic questions about the transition.
www.DTVtransition.org: The DTV Transition Coalition, a large coalition of public and private sector organizations including the Maine Association of Broadcasters, has come together to support the transition and help educate consumers. This site includes information about the coalition as well as information for consumers about the transition to digital television.
www.DTV.gov: The Federal Communications Commission's DTV website has a variety of information for policymakers and consumers. Also includes a DTV Shoppers' Guide and several foreign-language versions of DTV-related materials.
Converter box coupons: For more information on the DTV coupon program or information on how to request a coupon beginning January 1, 2008, please visit the National Telecommunications and Information Agency website.
AntennaWeb: This site will help you choose the best over-the-air antenna for your area.
*What about low-power TV (LPTV) stations and TV translators? LPTV stations and translators are not under a federal mandate to convert to digital by the 2/17/09 deadline; thus, they may continue transmitting analog signals after the transition date. Here is a list of such stations in Maine. For more information on how you can continue to receive these stations, visit LPTVanswers.com or the NTIA's website.
Welcome to the wonderful world of digital TV!
