|
What Is The Digital TV (DTV) Transition?
The one-page fact sheet about the digital TV
transition is pasted below and the link is also provided.
What Is The Digital TV (DTV) Transition?
Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog
and digital TV formats. After February 17, 2009, full-power TV stations
will only broadcast in digital. The DTV transition will affect those who
watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit
ears”). If you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must
take action before February 17, 2009.
Why Are We Switching?
Federal law requires the switch, which will free
up frequencies for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications,
allow broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound
quality and offer more programming choices, and allow for commercial
advanced wireless services.
What Should I Do to Be Ready?
You have three choices:
Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box.
Digital-to-analog converter boxes are in stores and have a one-time cost
of $40-$70. To help you pay for the boxes, the U.S. Government is
offering two $40 coupons per household. For more information on the
coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov, or
call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). Plus, you should
not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog
channels 2-51. Or
Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner).
You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to
enjoy digital broadcast television. You only need a digital
TV (or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box).
Plus, you should not need a new antenna if you get good quality
reception on analog channels 2-51. Or
Subscribe to a paid TV service. If you subscribe to a
paid service such as cable or satellite TV, you should contact your
provider to see what, if any, equipment you may need. Remember that you
will need a digital-to-analog converter box for any analog TV in your
home not connected to your paid TV service.
For More Information:
1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice)
http://www.DTV.gov
Phone: 1-888-TELL-FCC |