Friday February 22, 2013
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Digital Television Transition
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Listen to Mike's Public Service Announcement on DTV Transition In the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress mandated that all over-the-air full-power broadcast become digital (DTV) on February 17, 2009. This does not apply to low-power and translator stations. However that effective date has been pushed back to mid-June.
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives recently passed the DTV Delay Act, S. 352, which postpones the nationwide transition to digital television from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. President Obama signed the bill on February 11, officially delaying the DTV transition until June 12, 2009. Television stations do have the option to make the transition earlier than the mandatory date if they so choose.
This conversion will free up bandwidth to be used for public safety and emergency services as well as wireless services. Digital signals have higher quality and more versatility. It is estimated that as many as 400,000 Idahoans may find their TV signal affected by the DTV transition.
In preparation of the transition to digital television, I have compiled a list of frequently asked questions so all Idahoans will be informed and prepared to make the switch:
- What is the transition to digital television?
- Why the transition?
- How many people in Idaho will be affected?
- How will I know if I am affected?
- Could any challenges occur after the digital transition?
- What can I do to prepare myself for the transition?
- Where can I buy a converter box?
- How do I get more information?
In 2008, I hosted several informational meetings throughout Idaho about the digital TV transition. Officials from the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) and local broadcasters were on hand to educate Idahoans about how the transition will affect them.
Some of the terms used for the DTV conversion may be confusing to some. Click on this link, Digital Transition Definitions, for a glossary of terms used.
What is the transition to digital television?
Beginning June 12, 2009, full power stations will cease broadcasting in analog, over-the-air signal and will begin broadcasting in digital signal only. Televisions that are not equipped with a digital tuner will no longer be able to receive broadcasts from these stations. It is important to note that this deadline will not apply to low power, Class A, or translator stations. Many of these stations will continue to broadcast in analog signal.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 mandated that all full power, over-the-air stations become digital. There are several reasons for the transition. Digital signal is more efficient, meaning it can transmit more information using less bandwidth, and digital offers more options to consumers, such as the ability to receive certain services only currently offered by cable. Moreover, digital picture is clearer and more pleasing, offering improved quality and sound. An equally important aspect of the transition involves freeing up analog bandwidth, which will allow for more bandwidth to be used for wireless services and public safety communications.
How many people in Idaho will be affected?
Based on data gathered from each Designated Marketing Area (DMA) in Idaho, approximately 400,000 people may be affected. Certain demographic groups tend to rely on over-the-air television more heavily than others. Included within the affected demographic group are rural residents, the elderly, non-English speaking consumers, minorities and the disabled. As a result of Idaho’s rural nature and mountainous terrain, the impact on Idaho will be substantial. However, the impact of the digital transition will not only be felt in Idaho. Nielson Media Research suggests that as much as 17.8 percent of U.S. TV households rely solely on over-the-air television broadcasts.
Could any challenges occur after the digital transition?
In December 2008, the FCC released a report revealing that some areas of the country will experience certain challenges in digital reception following the transition due to signal contour shrinkage and the digital cliff effect. Signal contour shrinkage may occur because some stations made service area adjustments when transitioning to digital, resulting in both gains and losses in covered populations. The digital cliff effect may occur because while analog signal slowly fades out, producing a fuzzy, yet visible, picture, digital signal completely drops off at one specific point. if a certain population lives beyond the broadcast area, it is at risk of losing its coverage.
The FCC is acting to tackle both of these problems by providing several options for stations to restore service if they have lost viewers. First, the FCC has given stations the ability to use translators, including Distributed Transmission Systems (DTS), that give stations the opportunity to operate on a different channel. The FCC is also offering use of another channel through multicasting, maximizing the station's power, or adjusting the antenna pattern. The FCC has also release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would allow stations to continue to provide service in areas that have lost service through a new digital television translator service. If you have questions or concerns regarding service, you can contact your local stations.
How will I know if I am affected?
Cable and satellite subscribers will not be affected by the transition. Cable is legally obligated to continue carrying the main signal of “must carry” commercial broadcast television stations in both analog and digital after the transition. Satellite already broadcasts completely in digital. Only consumers who rely on over-the-air broadcasts and who do not have a digital tuner in their television sets will need to take action. Furthermore, your location in the State may play a role in the degree to with you may be affected.
To broadcast over mountainous terrain, Idaho makes regular use of devices called translators, which receive signal from major full power stations and repeat or “translate” them to a targeted broadcast area. These translator stations are not mandated to change to digital by the 2009 date. Many translator stations are being prepared for the transition by converting to digital only. Thus, many will also begin broadcasting in digital on February 18, 2009. Others may be equipped with a converter that will receive digital signal and translate it to analog. As a result, some viewers who are served by certain translator stations may continue to receive analog, over-the-air signal after the transition.
What can I do to prepare myself for the transition?
If your television is equipped with the ability to receive only analog, over-the-air reception, you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box. Congress has acted to financially assist consumers with this purchase by establishing a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program. The National Telecommunications Information Association (NTIA) is the agency tasked with administering the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program. Consumers can request two coupons to subsidize the purchase of up to two converter boxes per household worth $40 each by linking to the coupon information webpage. Consumers may also call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at: 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634. Converter boxes are expected to range in cost from approximately $50-$70.
Recently, the NTIA began experiencing a backlog of coupon requests, and coupon distribution stalled. More than three million people are on the waiting list for their coupons. Click here to check your application or coupon status. For general information, you can also contact the Idaho State Broadcasters Association hotline at: (866) 633-1871.
Please take note of the fact that coupons are set to expire three months after they are mailed. NTIA has stated that it does not intend to issue coupons to consumers in areas where converter boxes are not currently stocked in area retail stores.
Where can I buy a converter box?
You can find a list of retailers who have agreed to sell converter boxes at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's website. NTIA will also mail you a list of converters and participating retailers along with your coupon. Among those retailers who have agreed to sell converter boxes include: Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.
How do I get more information?
You can learn more by visiting the FCC’s special website for the digital transition at Countdown to DTV. As always, you can call my Washington, DC, office or any of my Regional Offices in Idaho with any questions or concerns about the transition. You can also attend one of the forums I am co-hosting in Idaho during February and March of 2008 to learn more. Specific information about each forum is available at the top of this page.
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