What is DTV?

Digital Television (DTV) is a new technology that offers significant advantages over analog television that include better picture and sound quality and allows TV stations to broadcast additional programming using less of the broadcast spectrum.

For example, instead of just having channel 4, you may have channels 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 that offer alternative programming.  Stations all across the US already broadcast this way. To watch these additional channels, you’ll just need a good antenna and a TV set with a built-in DTV tuner or a DTV converter box that connects to your analog television.

Why the need change from analog to digital?
In the 1990s, Congress realized the benefits of TV stations making the transition from analog to digital broadcasting because the broadcast spectrum was getting crowded. Remember the difficulties emergency service providers (police, fire, medical) encountered when communication failed in NY during 9/11? The transition will free up scarce and valuable analog frequencies for your local public safety and recovery operations. Additionally, new wireless services will be added. All full-power television stations must cease analog broadcasts on February 17, 2009. Presently, about 2000 television stations throughout the United States are broadcasting digital programs.

What do I need to do now?
It will depend on the source of your television programming. Do you receive your TV signal through a standard antenna, or from a pay service like cable or satellite? If all of your televisions are connected using a pay service then you are set for the transition. Congratulations!

But what if you watch TV using an indoor “rabbit ear” or outdoor “roof top” antenna? You have 3 choices:
•    Buy a brand new TV with a built in digital tuner
•    Subscribe to pay-TV services such as cable or satellite service
•    Purchase a digital converter box to continue receiving “over the air” TV broadcasts.

Remember the added benefit of additional sub-set channels with even more programming content from the major networks, PBS and other local multi-cultural broadcasters…and IT’S FREE!

Now it’s just a matter of redeeming $40 coupon that you received under the NTIA “TV Converter Box Coupon Program”. It can be used at participating retailers towards the purchase of a coupon-eligible TV converter box.