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The Analog to Digital Conversion
On June 12, 2009 the United States will switch to a digital television signal. The article addresses some common questions regarding the analog to digital television switch.
In the last few years there has been a lot of talk about new television technologies LCD vs. Plasma, HD vs. CRT, 1080i vs. 1080p and most importantly digital vs. analog. Until about a year ago most of us didn’t even realize we had an analog television. In our heads a TV was a TV case closed. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Here we would like to address some of the common concerns and questions related to the analog/digital switch. Believe us, it’s not as scary as it seems.
What is the Digital Conversion?
In 2005, Congress passed a bill demanding all major broadcasting stations switch their transmissions solely to digital signals. The deadline for this is February 17, 2009. From then United States will cease to transmit analog television signals using the 700 MHz frequency band.
The frequency signals previously used by television will then be auctioned off to companies expanding broadband, mostly for the Internet. Some channels will go to emergency response services like police, firefighters and ambulances.
A growing number of countries around the world including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Japan, Ireland and more have passed similar legislation, and the Netherlands and Luxembourg have already completed the switch. It seems most industrialized countries will have completely switched by 2015.
Who will the Digital Conversion effect?
The only people that will be truly affected are those still obtaining a free signal from an antenna or bunny ears. This will not affect people using cable, satellite, fiber optics or updated sets with a digital tuner. The televisions and people that will probably have the most difficulties are the additional television sets in the kid’s rooms, in the RV or those with older sets that refuse or can’t afford to a cable connection.
Does this mean I have to buy an HD TV?
This does not mean you have to buy a new expensive HD TV. You can still buy a cheap 13 inch set for the kid’s play room. If your set has a “Digital Tuner,” (and chances are it does if you bought it after March 2007) then you can still pluck free signals out of the air with an antenna, they’ll just be digital signals.
Can I still get free TV?
Television will still be free, but there are a few catches. You need to have a digital tuner located somewhere in the television or a digital converter box. The digital tuner enables the TV to take the signals caught by your antenna and place them on the screen. The converter works similarly except it sits on top of your television much like the old cable boxes.
As of March 2007 all sets sold to the United States, like those we import from China, Korea or Japan, were required to have a digital tuner. Additionally, stores selling TVs were required to openly disclose at the point of sale if a set was digital compatible. Televisions with digital tuners will usually say something like “integrated digital tuner, digital tuner built-in or digital receiver” you can also look for the acronyms DTV, STSC or HDTV.
If your TV is too old to include a digital tuner you can buy a converter box. At the moment, prices for digital converter boxes vary from about $100 to $300. In January 2008, consumers can request up to two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of one of these digital converters.
What about my DVD Player and Video Games?
All other electronic equipment like DVD players, game consoles and camcorders will be compatible with old and new sets.
We hoped we’ve calmed your nerves a little and have made you feel more comfortable about the analog to digital switch. For more information please go to the Federal Communication Commission’s website. The FCC can give you a detailed account regarding your analog TV.
In the last few years there has been a lot of talk about new television technologies LCD vs. Plasma, HD vs. CRT, 1080i vs. 1080p and most importantly digital vs. analog. Until about a year ago most of us didn’t even realize we had an analog television. In our heads a TV was a TV case closed. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. Here we would like to address some of the common concerns and questions related to the analog/digital switch. Believe us, it’s not as scary as it seems.
What is the Digital Conversion?
In 2005, Congress passed a bill demanding all major broadcasting stations switch their transmissions solely to digital signals. The deadline for this is February 17, 2009. From then United States will cease to transmit analog television signals using the 700 MHz frequency band.
The frequency signals previously used by television will then be auctioned off to companies expanding broadband, mostly for the Internet. Some channels will go to emergency response services like police, firefighters and ambulances.
A growing number of countries around the world including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Japan, Ireland and more have passed similar legislation, and the Netherlands and Luxembourg have already completed the switch. It seems most industrialized countries will have completely switched by 2015.
Who will the Digital Conversion effect?
The only people that will be truly affected are those still obtaining a free signal from an antenna or bunny ears. This will not affect people using cable, satellite, fiber optics or updated sets with a digital tuner. The televisions and people that will probably have the most difficulties are the additional television sets in the kid’s rooms, in the RV or those with older sets that refuse or can’t afford to a cable connection.
Does this mean I have to buy an HD TV?
This does not mean you have to buy a new expensive HD TV. You can still buy a cheap 13 inch set for the kid’s play room. If your set has a “Digital Tuner,” (and chances are it does if you bought it after March 2007) then you can still pluck free signals out of the air with an antenna, they’ll just be digital signals.
Can I still get free TV?
Television will still be free, but there are a few catches. You need to have a digital tuner located somewhere in the television or a digital converter box. The digital tuner enables the TV to take the signals caught by your antenna and place them on the screen. The converter works similarly except it sits on top of your television much like the old cable boxes.
As of March 2007 all sets sold to the United States, like those we import from China, Korea or Japan, were required to have a digital tuner. Additionally, stores selling TVs were required to openly disclose at the point of sale if a set was digital compatible. Televisions with digital tuners will usually say something like “integrated digital tuner, digital tuner built-in or digital receiver” you can also look for the acronyms DTV, STSC or HDTV.
If your TV is too old to include a digital tuner you can buy a converter box. At the moment, prices for digital converter boxes vary from about $100 to $300. In January 2008, consumers can request up to two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of one of these digital converters.
What about my DVD Player and Video Games?
All other electronic equipment like DVD players, game consoles and camcorders will be compatible with old and new sets.
We hoped we’ve calmed your nerves a little and have made you feel more comfortable about the analog to digital switch. For more information please go to the Federal Communication Commission’s website. The FCC can give you a detailed account regarding your analog TV.
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