Pittsburgh, PA – January 23, 2009– Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14) held a press conference today to urge his constituents to get ready for the dramatic technical change in local television broadcasts that will take place on February 17th.

“On February 17, 2009, television stations all across the country will stop broadcasting the analog signals they have been using for decades and begin broadcasting only digital programming,” Congressman Doyle said at the press conference, which was held at the Forest Hills Senior Center.  “The transition from analog signals to digital will produce a number of benefits for the public – from better picture quality to additional channels and interactive features.”

“Most Americans whose television sets are hooked up to cable or satellite systems will not be affected by this transition, nor will new televisions with digital tuners, but many consumers will have to buy special converter boxes if they want to continue to view television broadcasts over the air on their old TVs,” Congressman Doyle added.    “These converter boxes are now being sold in a number of local stores.”

“I encourage any of my constituents who view over-the-air broadcasts on their television sets to purchase their set-top converter boxes as soon as possible,” Congressman Doyle said.  “I anticipate that demand for these boxes will escalate dramatically as the deadline approaches next month.  Procuring this equipment in the near future will ensure that your television viewing isn’t interrupted on February 17, 2009.”

Digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

Because the federal government has mandated this transition, the federal government is subsidizing the purchase of set-top converter boxes in order to minimize the financial impact of this change on individual households.  Each household may request coupons from the federal government that will reduce the cost
of each set-top converter box by $40.  Each household can receive up to 2 of these coupons. 

Consumers will be able to redeem converter box coupons at a variety of local electronics retailers, including Best Buy, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, CVS, and Wal-Mart. Congressman Doyle will continue to work with retailers to ensure that converter boxes are available for purchase online as well as in local stores.

All new TVs must include digital tuners.  TVs with digital tuners will be able to receive the new digital over-the-air broadcast signals.  Despite the prohibition on manufacture and shipment of new analog-only TVs, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory.  As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers should be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009.

Cable and Satellite TV

Cable subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable provider what you will need and when.

Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to receive and view high definition digital programming. You should ask your satellite company what you will need and when.

The digital television (DTV) transition is scheduled for February 17, 2009.  Converter box coupon applications are available from January 1, 2008 until March 31, 2009. There are four ways consumers can request a coupon: 

• Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov;
• Call the 24-hour hotline, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634;
• Mail a coupon application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000;
(an application can be downloaded at https://www.dtv2009.gov/docs/Coupon_Program_App_en.pdf) 
• Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632)
(an application can be downloaded at https://www.dtv2009.gov/docs/Coupon_Program_App_en.pdf).
 
More information about the digital TV conversion is available on-line at https://www.dtv2009.gov/.

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