Ready Set…Go Digital

Television's big switch from analog broadcast technology to digital broadcasting will be complete in less than a year. The looming transition has many consumers puzzled about how the shift will affect them.

Analog (the current technology) is the process of taking a signal and translating it into electronic pulses. The variations in the pulses have given us our TV programs for decades. Digital, on the other hand, cuts up the electronic information into "little pieces" and your digital TV (DTV) set recombines the information into your program.

The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the "digital TV transition." Congress mandated that February 17, 2009, would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Many of the broadcast stations in every U.S. market are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital, but after February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will only broadcast in digital.

Analog broadcasting uses large amounts of frequency bandwidth, so ceasing analog broadcasting will free up a wide range of frequencies for public safety uses such as police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, as well as other commercial uses. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality because digital technology is much more efficient than analog. Through a process called "multicasting," broadcast stations can offer several channels of digital programming at the same time.

If you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. The converter box also will allow you to see any additional multicast programming your local stations are offering, but the box will only display the programs in analog picture quality. A digital-to-analog converter box is required for each TV set or other device (such as a VCR) which has only an analog tuner. Any digital-to-analog converter box will correct the analog tuner in only one piece of equipment. Therefore, if you want to use your analog TV and VCR at the same time, to watch one program and record another simultaneously, you will need two digital-to-analog converter boxes.

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the government established the digital-to-analog "converter box" coupon program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons - worth $40 each - toward the purchase of converter boxes. The coupons have been available since January 2008. Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog "converter boxes" will sell from $40 to $70 each.

If you choose to use a "converter box," you will be able to continue with your existing analog TV. If you are connected to a subscription service, such as a cable or satellite television system, your analog sets should continue to work as before. Most of the service companies use equipment which can convert the signal for analog equipment. However, to view DTV programming and reap the benefits of the digital and high definition formats, cable subscribers and satellite subscribers will need new DTV or HDTV equipment. Digital-to-analog converter boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition! You should ask your cable or satellite provider what you will need for your goals and when you will need it.

Analog sets also will continue to work with existing gaming consoles, VCRs, and DVD players. To find out if you already have a digital TV (DTV), check your television or other equipment. Many digital televisions and video units have labels or markings on them, or statements in accompanying informational materials to indicate that they contain digital turners. These labels or markings may contain the words "integrated digital tuner," "digital receiver," or "digital tuner built-in." If your television equipment contains any of these labels, you should be able to view digital over-the-air programming without using a digital-to-analog converter box.

If you are connected to a major cable television provider, the firm should provide options for receiving signals after the digital transition happens. For example, the local Shawnee cable provider, Allegiance Communications, told us its subscribers will not need to purchase any new equipment. Allegiance will receive the digital signals from the various broadcasters and convert them for distribution to their subscribers. A variety of digital programming packages are offered by cable companies. These packages provide customers with additional programming and equipment choices for a minimal monthly fee.

Switching to DTV is the most significant change since television networks started broadcasting in color. Take the easy steps required in order to receive all of the free benefits. Now is the time to act so that you are ready for the switch in 2009.

To request a coupon for a converter box or to find out more about DTV, visit www.dtv2009.gov.