All major broadcasters (NBC, CBS, and ABC) are required to change their transmission signal from analog to digital by February 17, 2009. While it is a big undertaking for the broadcasters, it is also going to be an inconvenience and a cost to some American households because they will need to buy digital-to analog converter boxes.
The television-watching public most affected will be those who will continue to use an analog TV and/or a battery-operated TV, and who will continue to use “rabbit ears” and/or antennas to get their television reception after February 17, 2009.
Analog TV’s that receive their signal over-the-air (“rabbit ears” or antenna) will need to connect to a digital-to-analog converter box. Televisions that do not have any labeling that identifies them as digital and is also labeled either “analog” or “NTSC” is an analog television. Most televisions manufactured before 1998 are analog. The owner’s manual and the manufacturer are two other sources for information regarding the type of tuner inside a set.
It is important to note that each analog device needs its own digital-to-analog converter box to receive digital programming. If an analog VCR is connected to an analog television, two converters boxes are needed to receive program signals. For example, a family who owns both an analog TV and VCR will need two converter boxes if they want to watch one television program while recording another one on a different station.
The FCC requires that all digital-broadcast equipment be equipped with the V-chip and closed-captioning technology. Parents will still have the choice to block programming, and the hearing impaired will still have closed-captioning.
It is not expected that battery digital-to-analog converter boxes will be manufactured. So, battery television sets that have analog receivers will need an AC powered converter box to receive and convert a digital signal. In order for a battery-operated television to connect to a converter box, it will need to have the right plug openings. So, it is possible that some battery-operated television sets will be obsolete.
The converter boxes connect in the same way that other electronic devices connect to a television and antenna. The Digital Television Transition Coalition offers detailed instructions with pictures on their website, www.dtvtransition.org, on how to connect a converter box. However, included with a converter box will be detailed instructions and all the necessary cables.
Once the converter box is connected to the TV and antenna, it will change the digital signal to analog so that the picture and sound being transmitted can be seen and heard.
The Converter-Box Coupon Program
The government has established a coupon program to help consumers off-set the price of the boxes. The coupons are worth $40.00 each and every household is permitted a maximum of two coupons. The coupons cannot be used in combinations to buy a converter box, only one coupon for one converter box is allowed. They also cannot be used to purchase any other electronic equipment such as DVD’s or antennas. The coupons are good for only 90 days after issuance. In addition, the coupons can only be used on specific models that are approved by the government. A list of the approved models is at the end of this article.
Applications for the coupon program started at the beginning of January, 2008 and will go until March, 2009. The application asks for a name and address, what kind of TV service is used (cable, satellite or neither), and the number of coupons needed. To apply for a coupon, call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634, or go online at www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx. The plan is for the coupons to arrive at every home that requested them when the converter boxes become available.
The converter boxes are to be in stores by the end of February or the beginning of March, 2008. All major retailers who sell electronic equipment are expected to sell the converter boxes and accept the coupons. Converter boxes are expected to be priced between $40.00 and $70.00.
List of Approved Converter Boxes
The following is the approved list of converter boxes. The list is provided by The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
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It is not necessary to go out and buy a new digital television set in order to be ready for the conversion from analog to digital broadcast. However, it would be prudent for every household to be prepared and ready for the conversion by planning early. Identifying all analog televisions sets that will need a converter box, applying for the converter box coupons, and buying a converter box early will ensure a family that they are ready for February 17, 2009.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Let me say that I live in a Hurricane prone area. In case a Hurricane knocks out power I can’t watch weather adversities on my small battery operated TV because it isn’t digital. I can’t even hook it up to a converter box because A/C power is required for the converter box!
April 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
i would like my $40.00 discount cARd for my converter box
May 1st, 2008 at 11:06 am
i would like my $40.00 discount card for my converter box
May 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
seems that the retailers are boosting prices to offset the $40.00 coupons. Will the gov’t investigate or not?
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
how do you hook up the converter box i done as said and dont get jack
June 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
noobs… why complain here for the rebate and as for yor box not working after hooking i up… you obviously live in the woods or did something rong so read the manual again.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Is it true that I can NOT watch one channel and record a different channel on my VCR at the same time? What about the problem of “letterboxing” and “postage stamp effect” that has been reported with some boxes? Are some boxes less likely to produce these problems?