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DTV - What is the Digital Transition?

The Digital Transition refers to the transition from analog television signals to digital television signals as set forth by The Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005. This act requires all U.S. television stations to discontinue broadcasting in analog and switch to digital broadcasting beginning on midnight, February 17, 2009.

This change will effect all broadcasts, whether you have cable television or even regular television programming.

How will the Digital Transition Effect me?

Beginning on February 17, 2009, in order for your television(s) to receive programming, you need to have up to date technology that can accept digital broadcasting to your television(s). Many cable boxes and newer television sets already have this technology today. Please see our DTV FAQ or read more about your options below.

What are my DTV Options?

Many of the televisions sold in stores today are already digitally compliant, but not all of them. If you own a digital transition compliant television (DTV) there is nothing further that you will need to do to prepare for the digital transition. If your television is not a DTV, you will need one of the following in order to view television programming: a converter box, a subscription to digital cable service or a new DTV compliant television which has the conversion box technology built in it.

Government TV Converter Box Coupon Program

Beginning January 2, 2008 DTV Converter boxes will be available to the public for purchase. The estimated cost of such a box is between $50 and $70, however the U.S. government will provide coupons worth $40 (limit 2) to each household in need of a converter box. Note: Converters with enhanced features such as DVR capabilities are not eligible for the coupon program.

You can access and submit the coupon request via an online DTV coupon form or if you would like, you can also order the DTV converter coupon by phone or U.S. mail.

Digital Cable Television

If you have cable television, the odds are that in this day and age you have digital cable television and your hardware is already compliant. If this is the case, your home can receive a digital signal but you may want to be sure that you have enough digital cable boxes or digital converter boxes for all of the televisions in your home or business that you wish to use by February 17.

If you do not yet have cable television, or satellite television, now may be an ideal time to consider ordering digital programming through your local cable or satellite provider.

Cable companies can provide you with a digital cable box that digitally compliant, usually on a monthly rental basis. Subscribing to digital cable will also allow you to utilize On Demand Programming, digital music stations and to digitally record programming onto your cable box without the need of a VCR or VHS tape.

DTV Compliant Televisions

The Digital Transition and Public Safety Act was passed in October of 2005, so if you bought your television before this date or within several months of this date, it may be highly doubtful that your television is digitally compliant.

If you are unsure if your television has a digital tuner, we recommend that you call your television manufacturer to confirm if your model number is a DTV and compatible with the digital transition.

If you can not get cable service in your particular area and you are not interested in purchasing a converter box, you have the option to purchase a television that has a digital tuner. Check with a sales associate at a participating retailer to ensure that any TVs you may be consider to purchasing has the necessary technology built in to receive a digital signal.

News Articles on Digital Transition

Thomson to Provide DTAs to Comcast

Thomson has announced the finalization of a purchase agreement with Comcast to supply the cable company with digital-to-analog (DTA) adapters, a one-way device that enables cable operators to move quickly and cost-efficiently to all-digital infrastructures by delivering digital-quality video and audio service to existing analog cable customers.

Orlando Television Stations Test DTV

Twelve television stations located in Central Florida's Orlando market were among the first to test digital signals in preparation for next year's digital conversion.

FCC Expects Increase in DTV Complaints

According to a Congressionally-mandated five-year strategic plan issued last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expecting to receive an increase in complaints related to the digital television transition.

Senate Approves Additional DTV Funds

With the February 2009 deadline for the transition from analog to digital television less than eight months away, the Senate voted to allow additional funding to assist during the switch to digital broadcasting.

Nine Million Households May Not Receive Digital TV Signals

9.2 million households may have difficulty receiving digital television signals after the digital transition takes effect in February 2009.

Senate Committee Seeks Flexibility with DTV Coupons

Currently the laws concerning DTV coupons do not allow consumers to use them after they have expired -- they are valid for three months then consumers must reapply for coupons -- nor can consumers preorder DTV converter boxes.

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