Who will be aected?
Consumers who receive ree broadcast
television signals through antennas ontelevision sets that are equipped withanalog tuners – and who do not subscribeto cable, satellite or a telephone companytelevision service provider – will be aectedby the transition.
At least 19.6 million households receive
ree broadcast television signals exclusivelyin their homes, and approximately 70 milliontelevision sets are at risk o losing theirsignals rom ull-power television stationsater February 17, 2009, i owners o thesesets do not take steps to upgrade.
How do I upgrade to DTV?
You can upgrade to DTV by ollowingone o three steps by February 17, 2009:1. DTV converter box:
Purchase a DTVconverter box that plugs into yourexisting analog TV set. A converter boxwill enable you to continue to receiveree television reception, and the boxes,which are expected to cost between $40and $70, will be available or purchasein early 2008. The ederal government isproviding $40 coupons that you may usetoward the purchase o these boxes.
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What is Digital Television (DTV)?
Digital Television (DTV) is an innovative
new type o over-the-air broadcastingtechnology that transmits pictures over theairwaves in data bits, like a computer. DTVenables TV stations to provide dramaticallyclearer pictures, better sound quality andmore programming choices.DTV also makes high-defnition (HD)broadcasting possible or viewers with HDsets and provides interactive capabilitiesand data services such as signifcantlyenhanced closed captioning.
Why the switch?
Under legislation passed by Congress
– the Defcit Reduction Act o 2005 –ull-power local television stations arerequired to turn o their analog channels onFebruary 17, 2009, and continue broadcastingexclusively in the digital ormat.
What are the benets o DTV?
DTV is a more efcient way to broadcast,
and it will ree up the airwaves or a variety o new services. DTV also provides crystal clearpictures and sound, more channels and evenree, over-the-air high-defnition television(HDTV) or consumers with HD televisionsets. DTV will also allow more services thanever beore with ree, broadcast television.
By law, television stationsnationwide must switch
theirbroadcasting rom analog to digitalby February 17, 2009.*Television sets connected to cable,satellite or a telephone companytelevision service will not beaected, and will continue to re-ceive programming ater that date.But analog television setsthat receive their signal rom anantenna and are not connected toa paid television service will needa DTV converter box to continuereceiving a television signal aterthe date o the switch.
*Low-power and class A TV stations are exempt.
The switch to digitaltelevision (DTV) is coming.
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Get ready for dramatically better television.
Feb 17, 2009
Switch to digital
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