The digital transition is coming! The digital transition is coming! - What does that mean to you? Analog, digital, standard definition and high definition are just a few “buzz” words making headline news regarding the method in which cable companies will broadcast TV signals in the future. Many headlines are misleading while some are vague, thus, the following document is an attempt to clarify the meaning of the digital transition and how it will impact the consumer.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted rules that require “over the air (off-air)” local television stations such as ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, UPN and FOX to cease transmitting programs in today's analog technology, and start transmitting in a digital-only format by February 17, 2009. The largest impact of the transition will be on households relying on a “roof top“or ‘rabbit ear” antenna to receive the current analog off-air television stations. These households must acquire a digital tuner or a digital-analog converter to continue receiving off-air programming. There are two methods to obtain a digital tuner.
Option 1: As of March 1, 2007, all television sets shipped within or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner, thus, consumers may purchase a new television encompassing a digital tuner.
Option 2: Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households can request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Such converter boxes will reside in the customer premise and convert the digital signal to an analog format suitable for older TV sets. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program. Please visit the NTIA website at www.dtv2009.gov or the FCC website at www.dtv.gov for more information on the converter box coupon program.
So, how do you determine whether your television set is digital ready? Most digital televisions (DTV’s) will have a label and/or type of marking such as “Integrated Digital Tuner” or “Digital Tuner Built-In” indicating that the TV set is equipped with a digital tuner. The term “Receiver” may be substituted for “Tuner.” In addition, televisions encompassing labels of “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” (high definition television) are digital ready sets as well. Furthermore, consumers may refer to the owner’s manual or contact the manufacture to confirm the capability of the TV set.
The 2009 transition will not affect TVision customers. TVision plans to re-engineer and broadcast “off air” programming in compliance with the FCC rules and intends a seamless transition to our customers. In other words, TVision customers are not required to purchase additional equipment to view the programming they are currently receiving today. Please feel free to contact us at 676.3131 with any questions regarding the digital transition and for all your communication needs.
David Shipley
Business Manager
TVision