Digital Television Conversion Information

June 12, 2009 is the day the government has chosen to be the end of analog television.

Why?

Digital Television or DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on June 12, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs.

What does this mean? It depends how you get your television:

If you're a Satellite Subscriber (DirecTV and Dish) — these signals are already digital and you already have a digital set-top box that converts the signal so you can watch it on your old TV set. As of now, you probably won’t have to do anything.

If you are an Analog Cable Subscribers, you have temporary solution. Cable providers must allow continued access to local stations for cable customers (including those with standard analog cable service) following the transition to digital TV in 2009. This rule applies only to local television stations, not cable networks or premium cable channels and the rule expires in 2012. At that time, you will need digital cable or another solution.

If you antenna to receive your television signals and enjoy free over-the-air television, on June 12, 2009 your analog TV will not work. But you will have a couple of options:

Obtain (either with a government issued voucher or with cash) a digital-to-analog converter box (DA) for each of your existing analog television sets. They should cost about $40 each.

If you purchased a TV set after March 1, 2006 with a picture tube over 27″ diagonal, it should have a built-in ATSC digital television tuner.

Secondly, you can purchase a new ATSC digital compatible television. There are 18 formats of digital television and not all of them are HDTV (High Definition Television). Just to torture you — all HDTV sets are digital, BUT all digital television sets are not HDTVs.

Thirdly, you can call your local cable television company, local telephone company (if they offer television) or your favorite satellite provider and get set-top boxes for all the TV sets in your home you wish to watch past June 12, 2009.

Digital broadcasting should not affect your ability to watch old videos. Many people still have VCRs. You simply connect it to your television’s analog inputs. Even televisions with digital tuners have analog inputs.

DTV Consumer Education Quarterly Activity Reports

The following files are in .pdf format and may be viewed by using Adobe Reader, which is a free program and may be downloaded here.