by Denise Karson
Come February 17, 2009 the U.S. government is making all citizens convert…whether they want to or not. It’s true…for all television viewers that is. On this date analog television sets will start to become obsolete as digital televisions start to become the standard. Well, actually it’s the method by which televisions receive their broadcast signal that is changing.
For over fifty years, televisions have been receiving their transmissions through an analog signal. However in 1996, the FCC endorsed the digital signal as the new standard for broadcast transmissions. Over the last decade, the government, the electronics industry, and the computer companies have been gradually preparing their own entities for the conversion as well as preparing consumers.
Some households are ready for the conversion because they have purchased digital-ready televisions. Other people who receive cable may notice that their local television stations are also available on the higher end channels; these channels are broadcasting in digital. This is a result of the government assigning new digital receiving channels to broadcast companies.
Some of the benefits of a digital signal are a better-quality picture (no ghost or snow), and televisions with digital signal receivers will have the capability to receive and transmit information over the internet much like computers do now.
The families most affected by the new conversion standards are those who do not have high definition television sets, and who do not use a cable or satellite service to receive their programming on all their televisions. Households who rely only on an antenna, or who do not have all their televisions sets connected to cable or satellite will need a conversion box.
Conversion boxes change the digital signal to analog so that television programs can be viewed on an analog TV. The government is issuing coupons worth $40.00 each that can be applied to the purchase of a single converter. Every household that applies for the coupon is permitted a maximum of two. The converters are expected to cost between $50.00 and $75.00. While the government has authorized the distribution of hundred of millions of coupons, they have also set a limit to the number available for the entire program. The list of retailers approved to accept the coupons will not be released until the end of March, 2008. Conversion boxes can be purchased in electronic stores and online.
Below is an outline to help you decide which category you are in and what you will need to do.
All My Televisions Are Connected to an Antenna
You will need to get a conversion box for all your televisions. Converter boxes are available at retail electronic stores. Use the government’s offer for 2 coupons per household to defray the cost of the converter. Here are the easiest ways to get your coupons.
Online - www.dtv2009.gov - apply for converter box
Call - 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634
The other option is to purchase televisions that have a digital tuner. If you go to buy a digital television, make sure it is says that it has a digital tuner because analog televisions are still on the market. The FCC does require retailers to place a consumer alert on all analog televisions that notifies customers that the television is analog and of the change from analog to digital broadcast.
Be aware that digital does not mean high definition. However, HDTV’s (High Definition TV) are digital ready.
Some of My Televisions Are Connected to Cable or Satellite
The televisions that are connected to cable or satellite do not need a converter box. Most cable and satellite service providers will convert the signal from analog to digital for their customers. To be sure, check with your service provider.
Your televisions that are not connected to cable or satellite will need a converter box. They are available a retail stores or online electronic stores. You can get a coupon worth $40.00 from the government to offset the cost of converters. There is a maximum of two coupons per household. Below are the easiest ways to get the converter coupons.
Online - www.dtv2009.gov/ - apply for converter box
Call - 24-hour hotline 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634
You can also replace all or some of your televisions with sets that are digital enabled.
All of My Televisions Are Connected to Cable or Satellite
You don’t need to do anything; your service provider will convert the signal. Call your subscriber to be sure.
All or Some of My Televisions were bought on or after March 1, 2007
If your television was manufactured after March 1, 2007 then it is digital ready. The reason is that the U.S. government mandated that all televisions imported or shipped interstate on or after that date have a digital tuner. However, the key word is “manufactured” because retailers are permitted under the ruling to sell already existing stock of analog televisions.
Although the technology for digital has been around for several years, you can’t assume that your television is digital. If you purchased your television before March 1, 2007, check your owner’s manual to see what type of signal it is set to receive. If you don’t have the manual, check on the manufacturer’s website.
Conclusion
Whether you want to convert to a digital signal or not, doesn’t matter. The fact is that after February 17, 2009 if you want to view any television programs, your television will need to be equipped for digital broadcast. The best thing to do is to prepare for it and to prepare ahead of time. While February, 2009 may seem like a long time away, millions of other households will also be buying converters, taking advantage of the government sponsored coupon program and buying digital televisions. If you wait to the last minute, there may be a chance that you will not get a coupon, converter, or digital television in time.
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