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Coming to an Airwave Near You Next Year - the Switch to Digital TV
Are you getting questions about the Digital Transmission switchover coming next year? Have you heard complaints that "My TV will stop working next year!"? Hopefully this article will answer some of those questions for you.
What is it?
At midnight on February 17, 2009 most Television stations will be required to cease all analog transmissions.
Why?
The current NTSC analog broadcasting method is outdated and wastes frequency bandwidth. The ATSC format is much more efficient in broadcasting standard and high definition content plus it is moved up the frequency spectrum. The old analog frequencies will be used in the much needed emergency radio waves and a portion may be sold to prospective wireless applications.
Most TV stations?
I say most because there is a loop hole in the mandate which allows secondary markets to continue broadcasting in analog NTSC. Certain translator and low-power television stations are not required to make the digital switch by 2/17/09.
Will my TV stop working next year?
There is confusion out there among some customers that their TV will quit working altogether. They may need to be reassured that this is not the case and that their TV will still work, but may not be compatible with the new digital transmissions for over the air -tuning starting after 2/17/08.
What does this mean to consumers?
For a consumer, the real question should be how does he/she receive TV service?
Satellite customers will not be affected as the satellite companies stream digital signals off of satellites.
Cable TV customers will not be affected when the cable companies switch to digital broadcasting, they are mandated by the FCC to provide digital to analog converters to customers who do not have a compatible TV and must do so until 2012. This date may change earlier depending on the cable market.
Antenna users (includes rooftop aerial, rabbit ears or attic type antenna) may not be affected. Many antenna users are only using the antenna to pick up digital over the air HD content.
If an antenna user is getting 100% of their TV content over their antenna and they do not have a TV with an ATSC tuner then they will be required to either:
1. Buy a new ATSC equipped TV
2. Buy a converter box
3. Subscribe to either cable or Satellite
Question on Solution #1: What TV's sold today have an ATSC tuner?
All new TV's have ATSC tuners in them. Of course the definition of new depends on who you are. The FCC mandated that no manufacturer could release a TV to any dealer after March 1, 2007 that did not have an ATSC tuner. However, a dealer could still sell older analog only TV's until their inventory was exhausted. So there is a remote possibility that some analog TV sets are still on dealers floors. After 3/1/07 a dealer selling an analog only TV must disclose this fact at the point of sale.
Question on Solution #2: What type of converter box?
The converter box will be placed in line between the antenna and the analog TV. It is an ATSC tuner to receive digital signals then will convert it for display on the analog TV.
Where do I get one?
There will be select retailers across the U.S. carrying this item.
I heard about a government coupon.
Yes, the U.S. Government is issuing $40 coupons to anyone who asks for one. There will be 2 coupons allowed per household and must be used towards the purchase of ATSC to NTSC converter boxes. There is a specific list to choose from. Also - the coupons will expire in 90 days from the issue date.
Things to consider:
Portable TV's: Sorry, these will become obsolete after 2/17/09 in most markets. I personally do not know of a portable TV with an onboard ATSC tuner. They will still work as portable monitors but would need to be attached to something as a source.
VCR's: will still work as video tape players but unless you have a VCR with an ATSC tuner built in the VCR will no longer be able to pick up RF content without the addition of the converter box.
TiVo: older TiVo product that does not support ATSC will no longer be able to operate after the switch without the addition of a converter box. Programmed recordings may not function properly. However, some 2nd and most 3rd generation TiVo product has a built-in ATSC tuner, thus will not be affected by the switch.
DVR's: Again, the DVR would need to have a built in ATSC tuner in order to continue to function as a programmable recording device for off air signals. Otherwise you'd need the addition of the converter box. Programmed recordings may not function properly. It will still be compatible to play back already recorded programs.
Camcorder or DVD: Since these do not have tuners in them they are not affected. They will still playback without problems.
RF modulators: Ah, here is where it gets sticky. So you have a product that you connect to your TV via an RF modulator where you have to set your TV to channel 3. Don't get rid of that old analog TV because soon the new TV's will lose the ability to recognize channel 3. Right now most new TV's either have dual tuners (ATSC and NTSC) or has a hybrid tuner which recognizes both.
NTIA: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is in charge of the coupon program mentioned above.
Information culled from:
www.dtv2009.gov
www.dtvtransition.org
www.ntia.doc.gov
Some other useful websites:
www.atsc.org
www.DTVanswers.com
