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| Background on Digital Television Transition |
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| 1. What is the digital television transition? |
| At midnight on June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders. |
| 2. Will my television work after February
17, 2009? |
| Analog television sets receiving free TV using an antenna will not work after June 12, 2009. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before June 12, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. |
| 3. What are my options so I can continue to get TV after February 17, 2009? |
| Consumers have a variety of options. If you're not sure what to do, take a quick quiz to help you figure out what to do at
www.DTVTransition.org. Options to explore include: |
| 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 June 12, 2009, or |
| 2. |
Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
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| 3. |
Purchase a television with a digital tuner.
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| 4. What is a TV converter box? |
| A
TV converter box is a new product available in early 2008 that plugs into your analog TV and, along with your antenna, will keep your analog set working after June 12, 2009. A TV converter box is a one-time purchase and is expected to cost between $50 and $70. A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program. For a list of TV converter boxes that can be purchased with $40 government coupons, please click
here. |
| 5. What is the TV Converter Box Coupon Program? |
| Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after June 12, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. |
| 6. How do I get my coupons? |
| Right now consumers can apply for up to two $40 coupons per household by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), hearing-impaired consumers can use our TTY service by calling: 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY), by applying online or by mailing their application to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Coupons will be mailed to requesters. |
| 7. Where can I use my coupons? |
| When the coupon is mailed to you, it will include an insert with a list of nearby participating retailers. You can expect to buy TV converter boxes and use your coupons at retail stores where you would normally buy consumer electronics products. You can also click here to enter your zip code, and locate participating retailers on a map. |
| 8. How do I install a TV converter box? |
| Converter boxes plug into TV sets, either in the back or front,
depending on your TV. You will still need your antenna, which works with
the TV converter box. Each TV converter box will come with installation
instructions from the manufacturer. You should be able to install the
converter box using the instructions provided by the manufacturer. For
specific questions, you should ask your retailer or call the
manufacturer's technical support hotline. |
| 9. Why is the digital transition happening? |
| Broadcasters are transitioning to digital to provide important benefits to consumers. Because digital broadcasting is more efficient, broadcasters require less of the airwaves to provide a better television viewing experience. Once the DTV transition is completed, some television channels will be turned over to fire and police departments for emergency communication and others will be auctioned to companies to provide new wireless services. |
| 10. What is NTIA's role in the transition? |
| The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is operating the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at the direction of Congress. |
| 11. Will the transition affect me? |
| You will need to take action before June 12, 2009 if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service. If you own a television with a digital tuner or subscribe to a pay TV service, you will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the transition. |
| 12. How do I know if I have an analog or a digital TV? |
| What you need to know is whether your TV set has something called a “digital tuner” already built in. If it does, your TV set will work after June 12, 2009. The best way to determine whether your TV set has a digital tuner built in is to consult your owner's manual. If that's not possible, you may be able to look up information about your TV set on the manufacturer’s website. Or, you can take an up-close look at your TV set. In any case, you;re trying to find out if your set has an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is the DTV format).
Here are some general guidelines that may help:
TV set made before 1998 was a traditional “analog” set. If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it may have a built-in digital tuner inside. But chances aren't great. Only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
If you purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores feature digital tuners that will work after June 12, 2009. But it's not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these sets have been advertised as “HD-ready” or “HDTV monitor” sets. That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place. You’ll still need a special converter or a cable TV connection.
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| 13. I'm a cable customer. Will I be affected by the transition? |
| Cable and satellite subscribers should check with their providers before June 12, 2009, to see how they are handling the transition. TVs connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service will not require a TV converter box from this program. |
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