|
|
|
VIEW: Free In-home Installation of DTV Converter Boxes (PDF)
VIEW: CBS 3, Last To Sign Off In Analog
VIEW: Local Station Phone Numbers (PDF)
DTV WALK-IN CENTER
WHYY
150 N. 6th Street (6TH St. Between Arch & Race)
Weekdays 4-8 p.m.
June 13/14 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Television as we know it is about to change and CBS 3 and the CW Philly will be making the switch at 12:30 p.m. eastern Friday, June 12, 2009.
By law, television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) on June 12, 2009. DTV is a new type of broadcasting technology that delivers movie-quality pictures and sound, more channels and even high definition television (HDTV) to consumers with HD television sets.
While the benefits of DTV are remarkable, millions of households risk losing television reception unless they take the easy steps to receive a digital signal. The CBS Television Stations Group and the National Association of Broadcasters will assist you throughout the entire transition process.
One common mistake we are hearing about is forgetting to re-scan.
If you had your box connected before Friday, or you have a digital TV, you need to re-scan for all the channels.
The button will say auto-scan or auto-program.
And of course, if you need more help you can call the DTV hotline at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
For more information about DTV, click on the links below or visit DTVAnswers.com from the National Association of Broadcasters.
What is DTV?
What is analog television?
What is the DTV
transition?
What equipment do I need?
What is a DTV converter box?
Why the
switch?
What are the benefits of DTV?
When is it?
When can I obtain a DTV
converter box?
Who's affected?
How do I switch?
Converter Box
Details
Choosing An Antenna
Can I
recycle my analog TV?
Philadelphia DTV Help Centers
What is
DTV?
Digital television (DTV) is an innovative new
type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide
dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.
DTV is more
efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as
analog. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple
channels of free programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of
broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to
provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with
analog technology.
What is
analog television?
Analog television service is the
traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has
been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog
is not as efficient as digital television: it uses up much more of the valuable
spectrum than digital, and TV stations can only transmit one channel of
programming with an analog signal versus up to four or more programs with a
digital signal in the same amount of spectrum. Analog is also susceptible to
interference and "snow" that make a picture less clear.
What is the DTV
transition?
The DTV transition is the switchover
from analog (the traditional method of transmitting television signals) to
exclusively digital broadcasting of free television programming. The transition
from analog to digital television represents the most significant advancement of
television technology since color TV was introduced. The DTV transition will be
completed on June 12, 2009, as set by Congress. Television stations have
been preparing for the transition from analog to DTV since the late 1990s, when
they began building digital facilities and airing digital channels alongside
regular analog broadcasts. Today, 1,624 out of 1,762 full power television
stations nationwide offer digital programming.
What equipment do I
need?
If
you currently receive free over-the-air television programming on an analog
television set, you will need a DTV converter box to continue to receive
television service after June 12, 2009. DTV converter boxes are available
for purchase from retailers or online. To help consumers cover the cost of the
converter box, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) is issuing up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to
households. Find out where to obtain a DTV converter box by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx. You may apply for a coupon
by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
What is a DTV converter
box?
A
DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your
analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital
television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up
to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the
cost of the converter box. You may apply for a coupon by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
Why the
switch?
DTV
is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The
switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer
dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming
choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of
2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their
analog channels on June 12, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in
the digital format.
Since digital television is more efficient than
analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves
to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by
entrepreneurs.
What are the
benefits of
DTV?
Digital
television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In
addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also
enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at
once. This is known as "multicasting." DTV can also be used to provide data
services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not
possible with analog
technology.
When is
it?
The
switchover from analog to digital broadcasting will be completed on June 12,
2009, as set by Congress. However, television stations have been preparing for
the transition since the late 1990s, when they began building new facilities and
airing digital channels alongside their regular analog broadcasts. Today, 1,624
full power television stations out of 1,762 stations nationwide offer digital
programming in all markets across
America.
When and
where can I obtain a DTV converter
box?
DTV
converter boxes that transform digital television signals to analog are
available for purchase at electronics retailers or online. These converter boxes
allow consumers to maintain their free, over-the-air television service even on
older analog TVs. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to
households to help defray the cost of the converter box. Find out where to
obtain a DTV converter box by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx. You may apply for a coupon
by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
Who's
affected?
Consumers
who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets
that are equipped with analog tuners – and who do not subscribe to cable,
satellite or a telephone company television service provider – will be affected
by the transition.
At least 19.6 million households receive over-the-air
signals exclusively in their homes, and 14.9 million households have secondary
over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens. Overall, nearly 70
million television sets are at risk of losing their signals on June 12,
2009, if consumers do not make the easy transition to DTV.
Consumers who
receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options
for continuing their television service:
* Purchase a DTV converter box
that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television
set;
* Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or
*
Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider
if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that
service.
How do I
switch?
You
can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of three
simple steps:
* Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the
digital signal into analog for an existing television set.
* Purchase a new
television set with a built-in digital tuner.
* Subscribe to cable, satellite
or a telephone company television service
provider.
Converter Box
Details
A
DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your
analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital
television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up
to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the
cost of the converter box. You may apply for a coupon by visiting www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
Choosing An
Antenna
Do
I need a special antenna to receive digital television (DTV)
over-the-air?
With a good indoor or outdoor antenna, you will maximize
your DTV reception. In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the
same type of antenna that currently works to provide good quality reception of
analog TV signals. For help choosing an antenna in order to receive your free,
local broadcast TV channels, visit www.antennaweb.org.
Can I recycle my analog
TV?
Yes.
For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics,
visit mygreenelectronics.com.
KYW FCC Reports on DTV Education
