Ready for Digital TV?

On January 1, 1954, NBC broadcast the first coast-to-coast color television program: college football's Tournament of Roses Parade.

More than 50 years later, the next great advance in television is happening with the transition to digital TV. Full-power television broadcasters are required by law to switch from analog broadcasting to digital by February 17, 2009. Digital TV provides movie-quality sound and images, more programs, and interactive capabilities. This means better TV quality, more choices, and more control, according to a release from The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Why transition to Digital Television?
Because digital broadcasting technology uses the nation's airwaves, known as spectrum, more efficiently than the current analog technology, broadcasters will return unused spectrum to the government. This returned spectrum will be used for two important purposes. Some spectrum will be given to firefighters and police, which will enable better communications during emergencies. The remaining spectrum will be auctioned to provide innovative wireless services, and the billions of dollars raised will go to the U.S. Treasury to reduce the deficit.

Today, more than 1,600 local stations are already broadcasting digital content and creating more news, public affairs, sports, and weather programs through "multicasting," using their spectrum to broadcast more than one channel. The digital television transition is opening new ways for Americans to view television and obtain services. However, there are many consumers who are just learning about the transition.

How the Public Can Prepare
The three ways consumers may embrace the transition to digital TV by February 17, 2009, include buying a converter for their analog TV; checking with and subscribing to cable, satellite, or other pay TV service; or purchasing a TV with a digital tuner. Viewers who use "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna for free, over-the-air TV must buy a digital-to-analog converter to enable their TV to work after the transition date. Therefore, consumers do not need to discard their old, analog TV sets or buy a new television. Televisions with digital tuners will not require converters, and neither will subscribers of cable, satellite or other pay TV service.

To determine whether a television supports digital service or not, consumers should check their TV owner's manual, or contact the manufacturer. Also, all televisions sold in the United States prior to Fall 1998 are analog. Consumers may obtain additional information about the digital transition by contacting their local broadcaster, or their cable, satellite or pay TV service provider.

To help households with the transition, the federal government is providing coupons toward the purchase of converters. This program is run by the NTIA.

Beginning this month, all households in the United States and its territories will be able to request, on a first-come-first-served basis, up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of converter boxes. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are issued. The government will develop a simple application process and require consumers to only provide their name, address, whether they subscribe to a pay TV service, and whether they want one or two coupons.

Coupon-eligible converters, which are expected to cost between $50 and $70, will be available early this year at stores and online retailers, where televisions and other consumer electronics products are purchased.

NTIA will provide consumers a list of eligible converters and participating retailers when coupons are mailed and on its Web site. Also, participating retailers will be aware of converters eligible for the government coupon. Coupons cannot be combined, so only one coupon may be used toward the purchase of a converter, and coupons must be redeemed at the time converters are purchased.

NTIA is targeting its resources toward people who are more likely to rely on over-the-air broadcasting -- seniors, the disabled, rural populations, minorities and the poor -- to inform them about the coupon program so they are not at risk of losing their television service. NTIA is aggressively working with organizations, such as the American Library Association and AARP, to inform consumers about the digital transition, ways to transition, about their options and help in applying for and using the coupons. NTIA will continue to work closely with groups to provide consumer friendly tips and advice in different formats and languages, in print and electronically.