At midnight on February 17th 2009, all full powered over-the-air television broadcasters have to turn off there analog signals and broadcast only in digital formats. For most people, this is not a problem because they either have a TV with a digital tuner built-in or they are using Satellite/Cable. Here are a few links to help those who are affected.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Digital TV:
http://www.dtv.gov/http://www.dtv.gov/publications.htmlhttp://www.dtvanswers.com/http://www.dtvtransition.org/$40 coupon (limit of 2) for a Digital-to-Analog converter box:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/Eligible converter boxes:
https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfmConsumer Report recommendations on converter boxes:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htmWhere to buy:
https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspxAntenna recommendations for those who need to upgrade there old “bunny ears”:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspxhttp://www.tvfool.com/FCC Videos on the DTV Transition: (Recommend 4 part “DTV Consumer Education Videos”)
http://www.dtv.gov/video_audio.htmlCEA video on the DTV transition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re_zirX84xIConsumer Reports video on the DTV transition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XJzPIaXzF8Bloomberg TV video on the DTV transition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nRqTnICVpYSlightly cheesy but very informative 4 part video on the DTV transition:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=820uDfOZTXYPart 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rye5H-2sPYIPart 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJXktGGgXgoPart 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4E1jfVkxgTwo very cheesy videos on how to hookup your converter box straight to the TV and how to hook it up through a VCR/DVD recorder: (And no, it’s not me on the videos.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYgS33W-RWAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5yLDd_hYiMAnd just for fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTSS8E7bKXgImportant Notes/Tips
1) Most digital broadcasts use an “Ultra High Frequency” signal which can not be received by classical “bunny ears.” In order to pick up “UHF” signals you will need either a multi-directional antenna with an “UHF loop” or a directional antenna.
2) $40 coupons expire 90 days after issuing. If you’ve already maxed out with two coupons and one or both expire, you CAN NOT apply for a renewal. At that point you should ask a friend or family member
to apply for you. Obviously you should also do this if you need more then two converter boxes.
3) “Low-Power” and “Class-A” stations are not required to transition to digital signals at this time. If you would like to be able to receive stations still broadcasting in analog after the conversion; you will need to buy a converter box with “analog pass-through” or hook up your converter box in a special way. A manual is available here.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/converterbox-analog-digital.html (HTML)
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/converterbox-analog-digital.pdf (PDF)
(Newer TVs with built-in digital tuners also have a built-in analog tuner; they will be able to receive these analog stations now and after the conversion.)
4) Consumer Report found that if your TV has a RCA input, (R/Y/W or Y/W if your TV only has mono sound) you should use a RCA cable between the converter box and your TV instead of a classical RF coaxial cable for better picture and sound. Also, it is recommended that you use the shortest cables possible throughout the entire Antenna/Converter Box/TV setup to minimize noise and reduction in signal strength.
5) For more information about how one specific station is going to be affected by the DTV transition, go to that local stations website (for example, WNET or KLCS instead of simply PBS) and see if they have a page dedicated to the DTV transition.
6) Many stations are changing there digital signal’s frequency, strength and tower location before and after the February 17th transition. Be sure to periodically re-scan for channels on your converter box. (Preferably once a week.) At the minimum you should re-scan the day after the transition and a week or two after that.