Get ready for Digital TV! DTV Converter
Coupons Program $40 coupons to help consumers with
transition January 1, 2008 is the begining date for
applying for the coupons
More info
on the DTV Converter Program below
On Jan.
1, 1954, NBC broadcast the first coast-to-coast color television program
showing the Tournament of Roses Parade. More than fifty years later, the
greatest advance in television will happen when full-power television
broadcasters switch from analog to all-digital broadcasting after February 17, 2009.
To assist households with
the transition, the federal government created the Digital-to-Analog
Converter Box Coupon Program. The program will help the public continue
receiving free, over-the-air television after February
17, 2009.
Why is television going from the current
television broadcast technology to digital? The Digital Television
Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires broadcasters to switch
from analog to all-digital broadcasting after February
17, 2009. Digital television provides a clearer picture and more
programming but also does it more efficiently, using less of the airwaves.
Digital broadcasting will free up some of the nation's airwaves
for firefighters and police to better communicate during emergencies and
will allow consumers access to next-generation wireless services.
What is the significance of the February 17, 2009 digital TV
transition date?
If
households receive television programs free, over the air using "rabbit
ears" or a rooftop antenna, they must take action to continue to receive
their television service after February 17, 2009.
By
February 17, 2009, "over-the-air" television viewers will need to either
purchase a new device, called a digital-to-analog converter box; subscribe
to cable or satellite service; or purchase a television with a digital
tuner to watch TV after that date.
How
can the public obtain a $40 coupon toward purchasing an eligible
converter? Consumers may call 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009)
between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, or go to www.dtv2009.gov to request coupons.
Coupons will expire after 90 days.
Where can the public buy a
coupon-eligible converter? Coupon-eligible converters will be
available in stores and online where televisions and other consumer
electronics products are purchased. The government will provide a list of
eligible converters and participating retailers online and when coupons
are mailed to consumers.
All households in the United States and
its territories are eligible to request coupons on a
first-come-first-served basis. A maximum of two, $40 coupons per household
will be allowed to help offset the cost of a converter, which is expected
to cost between $50 and $70 when it hits the market in 2008.
What can the public do to help with the digital TV
transition?
Become informed about the digital TV transition and
tell others. Details about the Coupon Program can be found at www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon and for
information about the entire digital TV transition, go to www.dtv.gov.
What else can the public do to plan for the
transition?
Now is the time to identify any televisions in your
home that receive free, over-the-air programming through an antenna. Take
a quiz to see what options are available for your household at http://www.dtvtransition.org/. The
public also should help friends, parents or other family members who may
have difficulty making this determination on their own so no one is left
without television service after February 17, 2009.
Other
organizations wanting to work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to
educate the public about the digital transition, may call (202) 482-9114.
Working together, we can make the digital transition a success for all
Americans.
Ways to Prepare:
Your TV tuner
is:
You get your programming
from:
You will need by Feb. 17,
2009:
Analog
Over-the-air
Digital-to-Analog converter
box
Analog
Cable or
satellite
Provider will address
Digital
Over-the-air
Nothing
Digital
Cable or
satellite
Provider will
address
A Few More Things You May want to
Know!
Some companies will no
doubt try to take advantage of the digital TV-transition
confusion. Here are a few tips to help you make an informed
decision before you buy or subscribe to something you
may not need.
To clarify, you're not
affected by the DTV transition if you have one of the following:
* A TV with a digital
tuner (Check your user manual if you don't know) * A digital-to-analog converter box (Did
you already go out and by one?) * A cable or satellite TV subscription
that's not connected straight to your TV set (Check with your provider and
ask questions to be sure)
Only analog TV owners
who rely on indoor or outdoor antennas to receive over-the-air-television signals are affected by the
change.
Find
out if your TV has a digital tuner. If it does... you are not effected!
Nothing more for you to buy....unless you want to go to HDTV.
If you own a TV that's
a few years old, a quick look inside your owner's manual may tell you if
your television has a digital tuner. Some TVs with this feature are
labeled, but if yours isn't, you can go to the manufacturer's website and
search for your model. It that's no help, then ask a local TV
repairman. Sets with digital tuners will have one of the following
labels:
Integrated Digital
Tuner Digital Tuner Built-In Digital Receiver Digital
Tuner DTV ATSC HDTV (High-Definition Television)
Do not buy a
television that doesn't have a digital tuner, unless you're
planning to spend more money on a converter box. If you plan to buy
one anyway, keep in mind that it doesn't need to be an HDTV, unless you want high-definition
programming-which usually requires an additional subscription from your
cable provider, anyway. If you use outdoor or indoor antennas and you do
buy an HDTV, then your present antenna may be fine for receiving their
"off the air" programs in High Definition.
No digital tuner, no problem! You don't have to get
rid of your favorite analog TV set. Just get a converter box. All
U.S. households are eligible to apply for up to two $40 coupons that can be used towards the purchase of
a converter box. These coupons are being handed out between January 1,
2008 and March 31, 2009, and you can request your coupon
here. Keep
in mind that you don't need a converter box if you have cable or satellite
service.
Still confused? Learn a sure fire way that will
help you! A sure fire way to know for sure what you need to do! If you have read all
of this information so far and it is still confusing, then a sure fire way
to determine what you need to do is this:
Don't do anything with
your present TV set up...... wait until February 17, 2009.....if all you
get is a snowy picture on the channels you received the day before on your
TV, (assuming everything is working properly)..... then either you have
to get a DTV convertor box for your TV..... OR go out and buy a TV
that will receive DTV, (Digital TV) without an external convertor
box...... or spend the extra money for an HDTV. If your on cable,
then contact them.
