DTV: Is your TV ready for Digital?

What is DTV?

After February 17, 2009, television stations will broadcast in digital only. (Currently, they broadcast in analog and digital.) This switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition.

What do I need to do?

For viewers who have televisions that receive free over-the-air programming (with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important.

If you have a digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner), you can continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009.

If you have an analog television and do not have a cable or satellite subscription, here are your options:

1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

How much does the converter cost?

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes.

You will be able to request the coupons beginning in January of 2008. The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of purchase. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost.

For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s Web site at dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Cable or satellite subscribers with analog TVs

Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009, cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting, but should contact their provider to find out anything is needed to be prepared for the February deadline.

More information

There are many sources of information about the digital transition but one of the best is the government’s Web site dtv.gov. It contains information on what DTV is, questions consumers should ask when purchasing new television sets, what programs are available in DTV, and much more. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

Still not sure?

Take the DTV quiz to find out if you need to prepare for the February 17, 2009 DTV transition.