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The Digital TV Transition

What you need to know about DTV

The Digital TV Transition - We've made the switch!

As of Friday, June 12 at 5 a.m. WFLA-DT News Channel 8 completed its SWITCH to Digital TV. If you have questions or a problem associated with your Digital TV setup, can call the FCC at 1-888-225-5322.

Below are some helpful background facts regarding “what you need to know about DTV,” as well as some FAQs and links that may be of interest to you.

DTV Help Centers (walk-up centers)
There are no walk-up centers in the immediate Tampa Bay area, however there are two in Orlando. Others centers are located in Jacksonville, Miami and Tallahassee.

Best Buy
4597 East Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803

DTV Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 12:00pm-8:00pm
Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Now Through July 20th

Best Buy
8350 S Orange Blossom Trl
Orlando, FL 32809

DTV Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 12pm-8pm
Sunday 11am-7pm
Now through June 13th

What Is Digital TV?

Digital Television (DTV) is a new broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with movie-quality picture and sound. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multi-casting, and interactive capabilities.

Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.

Who Will Be Affected

Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners will be affected by the transition.

Cable, Satellite Viewers Have Least Impact

Analog cable, satellite and telco viewers will not lose their broadcast signals and will be least impacted.

Cable, satellite and telco companies have been ordered by the FCC to carry all broadcast main and digital stations after the transition.

These companies must carry broadcasters’ high-definition signals in HD. Viewers may need to purchase a digital or high definition package from their cable/satellite provider.

What Can Consumers Do To Prepare

Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service: 1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. (Government providing $40 coupons starting Jan. 2008). 2. Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. 3. Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider.

Converter Box Coupon

A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.

For more information about the converter box coupon program, call 1-888-DTV-2009. You can also read more on DTV Web site.