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Ready For The Digital Television Transition?

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By ROBERT MCDOWELL

Published: February 17, 2008

Updated: 02/15/2008 06:22 pm

You have one year from today to get ready. By law, on Feb. 17, 2009, all TV broadcasters must upgrade to digital and stop broadcasting their old analog signals. Nearly 20 million American households will be affected. Are you one of them?

If all of the TVs in your house are hooked up to cable or satellite, there's really nothing more you need to do. In fact, you can stop reading this article and start looking forward to the better picture and sound your TVs will receive as a result of the digital transition.

But if you rely only on "rabbit ear" or rooftop-type antennas to receive free over-the-air TV, here are a few simple steps you should take to enjoy this new technology and to make sure your TV set doesn't go dark one year from today.

•First, determine whether your TV set has a digital tuner already. If you bought it before 1998, it's probably analog. But to be certain, look in the owner's manual or on the back of the set to see if it says your TV is "ATSC." If it is, then it is digital. If it says "NTSC" then it's analog.

•If the set is digital, there's nothing more you need to do. Your TV will automatically receive broadcasters' digital signal when they flip the switch next year. But if any of your sets is analog, don't worry, you do not need to get new sets. In fact, the U.S. Department of Commerce has set up a subsidy program to help you buy a small converter box that is easy to install and will allow your old TV to "see" the new digital signals. Each household that applies is entitled to a $40 coupon towards the purchase of a converter box, with up to two coupons per household.

•To apply for up to two coupons, go to www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-388-2009. Persons who are hearing impaired can call 877-530-2634. ol.) Some electronics stores and public libraries may also have some applications.

Don't wait until the last minute! Currently, the government has budgeted for 33.5 million coupons to be distributed. They will be distributed in a first-come, first-served basis. So get yours now before any shortages occur.

Once you receive the coupon, take it to any major retailer that sells TVs or other electronics, and they will help you from there. You must use your coupon within 90 days before it expires! The expiration date will be printed on your coupon.

To help you find the locations of stores near you that are selling the boxes, you can go to www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx. The total cost of these converter boxes is between $50 and $70, so you may have to pay between $10 and $30 out-of-pocket for each box after the subsidy.

Of course, if you'd rather not have a converter box but still want to enjoy the new benefits of digital TV, you can buy a new digital-ready set or a more expensive HD set that will give you high-definition picture quality.

Keep in mind that new digital TV signals will not give you high-definition quality pictures on your old set. Only new HD sets will give you that. Even though the picture on your old set will be superior to what you have now, it will still be in standard definition.

In addition to the sharper picture and better sound, new digital technologies allow broadcasters to divide their signals into new programming streams, giving you more channels for free, over the air.

For instance, instead of just watching Channel 7, you will now be able to watch Channels 7.1, 7.2, etc., each with different programming. Your new converter box or new digital TV will sort all of that out for you. Also, you may want to check to see if your new TV or converter box will allow you to see "low-power" TV stations that will still broadcast in analog after the transition.

Congress mandated the move to digital because digital broadcasting technologies use the airwaves more efficiently than old analog gear. That increased efficiency frees up huge pieces of the airwaves which we can use for powerful new technologies that will enrich our lives.

In the meantime, making the transition to digital may be an anxious time for some. We at the Federal Communications Commission are working hard to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible, and private industry is doing its part as well. But remember, acting early will help ensure you can make the transition without a glitch.

Robert McDowell is a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission.

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