What is digital television (DTV)?Digital television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology that will transform television as we now know it. By transmitting the information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" (like a computer), a digital broadcaster can carry more information than is currently possible with analog broadcast technology. For example, the technology allows the transmission of pictures with higher resolution for dramatically better picture and sound quality than currently available – called High Definition Television (HDTV) - or the transmission of several "standard definition" TV programs at once – called “multicasting.” "Standard definition" digital TV pictures would be similar in clarity and detail to the best TV pictures being received and displayed today using the current analog broadcast system and TV receivers. DTV technology can also be used to provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with “analog” technology.
What is analog television?Analog television service is the traditional TV system. Analog television has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television using magnetic waves to transmit and display pictures and sound. The best obtainable picture using analog television is of SDTV quality.
Analog broadcasting will continue until 2/17/2009
How will digital television be different than the current analog television?DTV allows a number of new and better services. With HDTV, broadcasters can offer far higher resolution and picture quality than exists with Analog technology. Or, they can offer several different TV programs at the same time, with pictures and sound quality equal to or better than is generally available today. In addition, broadcasters can simultaneously transmit a variety of other information through a data bitstream to both enhance the TV programming and to provide entirely new services.
Why are we switching to DTV?DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. For example, rather than being limited to providing one “analog” programming channel, a broadcaster will be able to provide a super sharp “high definition” (HDTV) program or multiple “standard definition” DTV programs simultaneously. Providing several program streams on one broadcast channel is called “multicasting.” The number of programs a station can send on one digital channel depends on the level of picture detail, also known as “resolution,” desired in each programming stream. DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with “analog” technology.
Converting to DTV will also free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast airwaves. Those portions of the airwaves can then be used for other important services, such as advanced wireless and public safety services (for example, police, fire departments, and rescue squads).
Once broadcasters transition from analog to digital, will analog televisions will be obsolete?
No. Set-top boxes which convert digital signals to analog signals are available now and will continue to be available at lower prices to consumers as the transition progresses. However, to enjoy the full benefits of Digital TV, including superior sound and clarity, you must own a Digital TV set. An analog television, with the addition of a set-top box, will still allow viewers to enjoy all of the programming they have always enjoyed. You can now apply online for your DTV converter box coupon by going to
www.dtv2009.gov.
Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. If you now need a roof-top antenna to receive television, the same antenna generally will be needed to receive DTV.
Will I need a new TV?Your current television will work as it does now until analog broadcasting stops. Under federal law, analog service will continue until most homes (85%) in an area are able to watch the DTV programming. Even after the transition is over, your current TV will not become obsolete. A converter box can be used to receive broadcast DTV signals and change them into the format of your current television. You can now apply online for your DTV converter box coupon by going to
www.dtv2009.gov. In addition, if you use your analog set with a multichannel pay service like cable or satellite, it will continue to work as it always has. Even with a converter box, however, your current analog television will not be capable of displaying the full picture quality of DTV. To enjoy the full picture quality, you must have a DTV set. Subscribers to cable and DBS services should contact their providers regarding converter boxes for those services.
What about my VCR, DVD player and camcorder? Will I be able to use them with an HDTV set?HDTV sets are “backward compatible,” meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets, but not in high definition. Their video will be displayed in the maximum resolution that is available with each product.
When will the DTV transition be complete?Analog broadcast will cease 2/17/2009. By that point all TV stations will be broadcasting DTV signals.
Do I already have DTV via digital cable or satellite?You may have DTV if you subscribe to the digital package and get digital programming, often described as HDTV. But the digital cable tier and satellite service are not necessarily DTV. Your cable or satellite system may be using digital technology as a more efficient way of delivering analog programming to you. If you have an analog television set, then you are probably not getting DTV, even though the reception may be somewhat improved. Check with your cable or satellite provider to find out for sure.
