NOTE: THE DTV TRANSITION WILL OCCUR ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009
Background
What are the benefits of DTV?
Consumer Options
Glossary of Helpful DTV Terms
To help clear spectrum for use by public safety officials, Congress passed legislation requiring all full power broadcast TV stations to end their analog transmissions and switch to a digital format by February 17, 2009.
The switch from analog to digital signals for over-the-air TV will deliver profound improvements ranging from public safety communications to your in home television entertainment experience. Citizens that receive over-the-air television broadcast, rather than cable or satellite, on an analog television set with an antenna – or rabbit ears – will need to purchase a digital converter box.
As a member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, I have long been engaged in this issue and have worked with my colleagues to ensure that this transition takes place as efficiently and easily as possible. I am pleased that Congress established a 'Converter-Box Coupon Program' to help individuals purchase converter boxes. Each U.S. household can request up to two $40 coupons to use toward the purchase of converter boxes. More information on this program and this exciting transition can be found at www.dtv2009.gov
Background
It is important to understand that this transition ONLY applies to over-the-air television broadcasting. Thus, if you receive most or all of your current TV programming via cable or satellite services, you won't be required to make equipment changes.
However, if you are currently using an analog TV set with an antenna to receive over-the-air programming, don't be alarmed. A simple set-top converter box will be all you need to convert digital broadcast signals into a format your TV can display.
To assist consumers who wish to use analog televisions with over-the-air antennas after the digital transition, DTV legislation has given the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) up to $1.5 billion for a digital-to-analog converter-box program. The statute directs NTIA to use $990 million to enable U.S. households to request up to two $40 coupons for use toward the purchase of converter boxes. If the NTIA certifies to Congress as the program progresses that it needs more money, another $510 million becomes available. So far the NTIA has approved 37 converter-box models as eligible for purchase with the coupons - 4 of these converter-boxes contain "analog pass through" technology. The coupon-eligible converter-boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $75. While a converter-box cannot display digital programming in high-definition format on an analog television, it will improve both the video and the audio, and will also enable the analog television to receive digital multicast programming over-the-air for free.
The NTIA will start mailing the coupons the week of Feb. 17, 2008. Under rules adopted by the NTIA, the NTIA will use the first $990 million allocated to the program to provide coupons to each requesting household, including cable and satellite households that have additional televisions not connected to the pay service. The NTIA used its discretion under the DTV legislation to restrict the last $510 million to exclusively over-the-air households - the consumers most likely to need coupons. The initial $990 million allocated to the converter-box program can fund 22.25 million redeemed coupons, including expenses. If necessary, the additional $510 million allocated to the program can fund another 11.25 million redeemed coupons, including expenses, for a total of 33.5 million. The NTIA will not send coupons to a consumer unless it is confident coupon-eligible converter-boxes are available in the consumers’ area. When the NTIA sends coupons, the NTIA will include a list of participating stores near the consumer. So far the NTIA has certified 250 retailers with a total of 15,000 stores to participate in the program.
What are the benefits of the DTV transition?
The DTV transition will improve public safety communications and spectrum use. An all-digital broadcasting solution will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (police and fire departments). Additionally, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to wireless companies for the provision of advanced commercial wireless services (such as wireless broadband).
The DTV transition will also improve the ability to deliver enhanced technology services with greater efficiency. With the transition to digital, consumers will also benefit from a more flexible and efficient technology than the outdated analog system. Providing several simultaneous programs like a super sharp 'high definition" (HD) program or multiple "standard definition" (SD) digital programs simultaneously on one broadcast channel is called "multicasting." This means more choices of free programming, as well as interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.
Consumer Options
By February 17, 2009, consumers who receive over-the-air TV programming will have three options to receive TV broadcast signals after the DTV transition. These three options include:
1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into the analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog televisions connected to converter boxes will show digital broadcasts but will not display the full picture quality of DTV due to differences in display resolution.
Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons through The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (www.ntia.doc.gov or www.dtv2009.gov). Worth $40 each, the coupons are to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes (one coupon can be used per box) and expire 90 days after mailing with the expiration date clearly printed on the front of the coupon.
2. Subscribe to Cable or Satellite. If you are a cable or satellite subscriber, you are not likely to be affected by the DTV transition. Cable and satellite providers will continue to offer free local programming, regardless of the broadcasters' means of transmission. However, you may want to check with your provider if you have additional questions.
3. Upgrade to a New DTV. A 'digital ready' TV set lets you receive a digital signal without a set-top box.
For more information on the DTV Transition, visit www.dtv.gov or call 888-CALL-FCC. For more information on the converter box program, visit www.dtv2009.com, or call 888-DTV-2009.
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