Thursday, January 15, 2009

A picture 60 years in the making

After 60 years of analog television, full-power television stations will begin broadcasting exclusively in digital formats.

According to the National Association of Broadcasters DTV transition Web site, dtvanswers.com, analog television isn’t as efficient as digital TV because it uses up more valuable spectrum that can be used for other purposes once the DTV change is implemented.

Digital television transmits information in data bits like a computer, which allows it to carry far more information than what the current technology allows.
An example of the difference between an analog signal and a digital signal is similar to the difference between cassette tapes and DVDs.

Because of the remarkable efficiency of the digital signal, broadcasters will be able to produce additional channels of programming with a much clearer picture and better sound.

According to the NAB, there are three courses of action consumers can take to be ready for the digital change: purchase a converter box, buy a new TV with a digital tuner or subscribe to cable, satellite or some other pay service.

If an antenna is used to receive channels, a converter box will be needed to receive the digital signal, but only for analog televisions and televisions that do not have a built-in digital tuner.

Converter boxes run anywhere from $40 to $70 and can be purchased at many electronic retail stores.

The purpose of the box is to convert the digital signal to a format an older TV can understand.

The government had set up a coupon system to help out with the costs of these boxes, but, with the program reaching its funding ceiling, there is now a waiting list and coupons are only being issued to those who register on a first-come, first-served basis.

As funds become available from expired coupons already given out, those on the waiting list will be issued their coupons.

Consumers who have purchased a TV since 2004, in all likelihood will not need a converter box because, in that year, TV sets began being sold with built in digital tuners that will work after Feb. 19, when the switch is scheduled.

According to the NAB, if a television has been purchased since 2004 and has a digital tuner, but uses an antenna to receive channels, a new antenna may need to be purchased to receive the digital signal. To see which antenna is right for your television visit antennaweb.org.

All TV sets that were purchased before 1998 were made for analog television and a limited amount of TVs purchased between 1998 and 2004 have digital tuners in them.
To check and see if your TV has a digital tuner and is ready for the transition, visit dtvtransition.org.

Officials from the program are urging consumers to purchase a converter box without a coupon, buy a new TV with a digital tuner or subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay service.

After the deadline, analog televisions can still be used with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products.

For more information, visit http://www.dtvanswers.com.