Learn About DTV
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that the June 12, 2009 DTV transition deadline does not apply to low-power television (LPTV) stations. The FCC will determine a deadline for these stations to transition to digital at a future date. Learn more about LPTV.
Converter Box
- What Should I Do if I Have a Twin Lead Antenna Wire?
- Do I Need One Converter Box or Multiple?
- Which Retailers Sell Eligible Converter Boxes?
- Is All Antenna Wiring Compatible with Converter Boxes?
- What Features Are Available on Converter Boxes?
- What Is Analog Pass-Through on a Converter Box?
- How Do I Control Multiple Devices with the Remote Control?
- What Is the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program?
- Where Is My Coupon? What Is My Application Status?
- What Converter Boxes Are Eligible in the Coupon Program?
- How Do I Get a Coupon?
- How Do I Get a Coupon if I Live in a Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facility?
- What Is Channel Scan?
- How Do I File a Complaint with the FCC?
- How Do I Connect My Digital Converter Box?
What Should I Do if I Have a Twin Lead Antenna Wire?
Twin Lead antenna wire is an older wire that requires an adapter to connect to a converter box. Please contact your converter box supplier for more information.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
Do I Need One Converter Box or Multiple?
You will need one digital-to-analog converter box for each TV set or other device (such as a VCR) that only has an analog tuner. The digital-to-analog converter box basically replaces the analog tuner in one piece of equipment.
If you want to watch one program and record another simultaneously, you will need two digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Which Retailers Sell Eligible Converter Boxes?
Converter boxes are available from both national and local retailers, including most of the large stores that sell electronics. More information about obtaining a converter box can be found at the NTIA’s website at: http://www.dtv2009.gov. 
Is All Antenna Wiring Compatible with Converter Boxes?
All converter boxes should be compatible with indoor and rooftop antennas; however, additional equipment and wiring may be needed.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
What Features Are Available on Converter Boxes?
The list of features that are recommended by the Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee includes: Closed Captioning, Secondary Audio Programming, Remote Control, and Additional/Advanced.
What Is Analog Pass-Through on a Converter Box?
A converter box with analog pass-through allows you to receive any stations that still broadcast in analog, including programming from U.S. Low-Power TV (LPTV), Class A, and translator stations. The analog broadcast signals pass through the converter box to be tuned by your analog TV.
How Do I Control Multiple Devices with the Remote Control?
If the Converter Box includes a universal remote control or you already have a universal remote control, follow the instructions that come with the Converter Box to program the remote to work for both the TV and the Converter Box.
What Is the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program?
To help defray some of the costs to consumers to obtain a converter box, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The NTIA, a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program.
All U.S. households are eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, through July 31, 2009, to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes.
The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers. In addition, the coupons must be used at the time of purchase. Please also note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing.
The estimated one-time cost for each digital-to-analog converter box is between $40 and $70.
For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit NTIA at www.dtv2009.gov , or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
Where Is My Coupon? What Is My Application Status?
You can check the status of your application on the NTIA.gov website at https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx.
What Converter Boxes Are Eligible in the Coupon Program?
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) maintains a list of eligible boxes at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.
To locate a converter box retailer near you, go to the FCC’s Support Center, Other Resources.
You can request a coupon through the NTIA, the agency that administers the coupon program. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, or to apply for coupons, please visit www.dtv2009.gov , or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
How Do I Get a Coupon if I Live in a Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facility?
You can request a coupon through the NTIA, the agency that administers the coupon program. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, or to apply for coupons, please visit www.dtv2009.gov , or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
A resident of a licensed nursing home, intermediate care, or assisted living facility may file an application for one $40 coupon. The converter box must be connected to a television set individually owned by the facility resident on the application.
The application form may be completed by or on behalf of an eligible resident of an eligible licensed facility. The administrator of a nursing home, intermediate care, or assisted living facility can apply for more than one resident. If approved, the coupon will be mailed to the facility where the resident resides.
Channel scan is a menu feature available from either a converter box or television remote control that will search for and “remember” digital broadcast channels that are available in your area.
How Do I File a Complaint with the FCC?
Complaints related to the Converter Box Coupon Program should be filed with the NTIA, the agency that administers the coupon program, at www.dtv2009.gov .
For all DTV related inquiries, please visit www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). If you have a complaint that is not related to DTV, use the FCC on-line complaint form found at http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.
How Do I Connect My Digital Converter Box?
Specific connection information for a converter box depends on the type of device and its configuration. The converter box manufacturer should provide detailed connection instructions for the box that you have.
Simple, step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Unplug your TV set from the wall.
Step 2: Remove your antenna wire from the set and plug it into the "Antenna In" port on the box.
Step 3: Plug the coaxial wire into the "Out to TV" port on your converter box.
Step 4: Plug the remaining end of the coaxial cable into "Antenna In" on the set.
Step 5: Plug in your set and turn on the converter box.
Step 6: Tune your set to channel 3 or 4, and follow the on-screen set-up guide.
To browse for a converter box manual by manufacturer name or model number, try the FCC Support Center’s Converter Box feature.