Rabbit ears no more: The transition to digital television is coming
by Karin L. Nauber
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| Out with the old? Rabbit ears may not work anymore, but don't throw out your analog television set, VCR or DVD players. They should all still work after the transition to digital TV (DTV). Special equipment may or may not be required. |
Many of us enjoy watching television. We rely on it as a source for news or entertainment and would miss it even if we watch it very little.
Some people in the younger generation don't remember rabbit ears antennas that were used to pull in a better signal. Some people still use them, but not for much longer.
Currently, many television stations are switching from analog to digital broadcasts. This switch is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.
In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.
But what does that mean? What difference does it make if you have an analog or digital broadcast?
According to the dtv.gov website located at: http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html, "An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband)."
Another benefit is digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality. Digital is almost more efficient than analog. Digital broadcasting will make multicasting multiple standard definition digital programs or a super sharp high definition program possible as well.
"So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers. Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology."
The following are some of the frequently asked questions that the Federal Communications Commission answered on the above mentioned website.
What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting?
"If you have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air television programming (with a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears" on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important.
A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009.
However, if you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering.
"Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes.
You will be able to request the coupons beginning in January of 2008.
For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit this website: www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
"Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting."
If I have an older analog television, will I have to throw it away after February 17, 2009?
No. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV to watch over-the-air digital broadcasts. Also, analog sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products that you use now.
If I want a new TV, will I have to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television after the transition?
No. It is important to understand that the DTV transition is a transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. It is not a transition from analog broadcasting to High Definition broadcasting. Digital broadcasting allows for High Definition broadcasts, but High Definition is not required, and you do not need to buy a HDTV to watch digital TV. A Standard Definition DTV (which is simply a TV with an internal digital tuner), or a digital-to-analog converter box hooked to an analog TV, is all that is required to continue watching over-the-air broadcast television.
You can watch High Definition programming on a Standard Definition DTV), but it won't be in full High Definition quality..
How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)?
By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory, but must prominently display a Consumer Alert label which states that it is only analog.
How do I know if I already have a digital TV (DTV)?
If it does not say it is or that it has a digital tuner, the best way to determine if your current equipment is digital is to check for the manufacturer name and model number, and then contact your consumer electronics retailer, or the manufacturer.
What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set?
Yes. Digital television sets are "backward compatible," meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets. However, their video will only be displayed in the maximum resolution that is available with each analog product. Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound quality when DTVs are used with existing analog equipment. Check with your retailer to determine the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.
Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?
In general, dependable reception of over-the-air digital TV programming will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV programming. If you need a roof-top antenna to receive analog TV broadcasts, the same antenna generally will work to receive digital TV broadcasts. You should not have to purchase new antennas that are marketed as "digital ready" or "HD ready."
My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV?
No. "Digital cable" and high definition programming on cable are not the same. If you want to watch HDTV programming on cable, you will need to subscribe to your cable provider's HDTV package and view the programming on an HDTV set. You may also need a set-top box or other equipment to view HDTV programming.
Do cable TV networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital
broadcasting as well?
No. The current requirement to switch from analog to digital only applies to full-power broadcast TV stations, which use the public airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming. However, as cable providers convert to digital transmissions over their systems, you may need to subscribe to their digital tier to continue to receive this non-broadcast programming.
I have an old antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Will I be able to use a converter box with this antenna?
Yes, but you may need to get an antenna adapter (also called a "balun") to which you will connect your antenna on one end, and then connect the balun to your converter box. You will then need a second adapter to connect to the converter box with a length of antenna wire to connect to your TV.
What will happen to the old analog TVs that will be replaced by DTVs? Will there be an effort to recycle them?
There are recycling programs for those who choose to discard old analog TVs or other old electronic products (but remember, analog TVs can continue to be used after the transition).
Will cable customers with analog TVs have to buy or rent a set-top box from their cable company?
First, it's important to know that the February 17, 2009 deadline for the digital television transition only applies to full-power broadcast stations. Cable companies are not required by the government to transition their systems to digital, and can continue to deliver channels to their customers in analog. Cable companies are actually required by FCC rules to continue offering local broadcast stations to their customers in analog as long as they offer any analog service. This requirement will continue for at least three years after February 17, 2009. The Commission will decide in 2011 whether the requirement should be continued beyond February 17, 2012. This means that customers who receive analog cable service (without a cable set-top box) will be able to continue to do so.
Whatever way you receive your television signal, it is sure that it will change, at least slightly, after February 17, 2009.