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Television Reception - The Digital Transition

If you have recently been in the market for a new television, you have probably seen warnings or heard retailers saying that certain TVs will no longer work, or will need a converter box, in 2009 when the TV stations switch from analog to digital broadcasts.  While this warning is valid, the majority of consumers will not be affected by the change.

The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that any new television, videocassette recorder (VCR), digital video disc (DVD) recorder, digital video recorder (DVR) or other device with a television tuner sold after March 1, 2007, must either include a new digital (ATSC) tuner or a warning sticker advising the buyer of the need for a converter box after the 2009 transition from analog to digital.  This does not apply to monitor-only TVs that do not have tuners.

Affected Consumers
If you receive your television service through a satellite or cable service provider, you will not be affected by the analog-to-digital transition, regardless of the type of tuner present in your TV.  In fact, it is likely that you are already receiving all digital channels through your service provider.

However, if your TV reception is solely through the use of an antenna, you will be affected by the transition.  After the cutoff date, analog channels will no longer be broadcast, so older TVs with NTSC (analog) tuners will no longer be able to receive channels using only an antenna without a converter box.

Simply stated, anyone using either “rabbit ears” or a roof-mounted antenna for a TV with an older analog tuner will no longer be able to receive any television channels without a converter box.  If your TV is equipped with a newer digital tuner, you will continue to be able to receive channels using only an antenna.  You should refer to your owner’s manual to verify what type of tuner your TV has.

Fortunately for consumers requiring a converter box, the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 has allocated $990 million to subsidize the cost.  Every household is initially eligible for up to two $40 coupons for use towards the purchase of a converter box from a certified retailer.  If the $990 million supply of coupons is exhausted, another allotment of coupons will be limited to households that exclusively receive “over-the-air” broadcasts.  This means that if you subscribe to cable or satellite television service and want to get a converter box for a TV that is not connected to a cable or satellite receiver box, you will be eligible for a coupon from the first allotment, but not from the potential second run of coupons.

You will be able to request your coupon(s) online or by phone, fax or mail between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009.  They will be good for a period of three months.  Details of this program are available through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on their web site at www.ntia.doc.gov.  Coupons can be requested by phone, fax, mail, or online request using the contact information at the end of this article.

History
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 mandated that television stations cease their “over-the-air” analog broadcasts and switch to digital broadcasts by February 17, 2009.  This technology will allow improved picture and sound quality and more programming options.  It is important to note that, while digital broadcasts are capable of sending high-definition (HD) channels, not all digital broadcasts will be in HD.

The analog-to-digital transition has been planned nationwide since Congress approved the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  The cutoff date was originally set for December 31, 2006, but has been pushed back several times.  The primary driving factor behind the transition is that it will free up a great deal of bandwidth.  Analog channels require six times as much bandwidth to broadcast as do digital channels.  Some of the bandwidth that becomes available will be used to improve communication systems for emergency first responders, and the rest will be auctioned off for other uses.

Request a $40 coupon for a converter box using any of the following methods:

Online:  Submit application online at www.dtv2009.gov.

Phone:  Call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). TTY service is available at 1-877-530-2634 for English and 1-866-495-1161 for Spanish.

Fax:  Print out an application from www.dtv2009.gov and fax to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)

Mail:  Print out an application from www.dtv2009.gov and mail to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208.  If you do not have internet access, coupons are available at some public libraries, or you can mail a note to the above Portland address with your name, physical home address (not a P.O. Box), the number of coupons needed (one or two only), and state if your household currently subscribes to either cable or satellite service.

For more information

www.dtv2009.gov – National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s site on the converter box coupon program

www.dtv.gov – Federal Communications Commission’s site on the digital transition

www.dtvtransition.com – DTV Transition Coalition’s site. The coalition is comprised of business, trade and industry groups as well as grass roots and membership organizations that share an interest in a smooth transition.

www.dtvanswers.com – National Association of Broadcasters site on the digital transition