Published: December 29, 2008 12:19 pm         

Are you ready?

Switch to digital less than two months away

The commercials have been playing for almost a year now. They all ask the same questions, such as “Are you ready for the DTV transition?” or “Is your TV a DTV?”

These questions lead to other questions, such “What is DTV?” “How do I know if I am ready for it?”

Several Web sites have been established to help with the digital television transition. The government’s site is www.dtv.org.

What is DTV?

“Digital television is,” according to www.dtv.org, “an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience.”

It also allows broadcasters to produce better picture and sound quality with its programming. Several channels can be on the same number, which is called multicasting.

Congress chose Feb. 17 as the date for all TV signals to be digital in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Besides better picture and sound quality, the change frees up analog signals for public safety communications such as police and fire departments.



What do I need?

The Federal Communications Commission ruled that all TVs manufactured after March 1, 2007, must include digital tuners. If your TV was made in the last year and a half, chances are you are ok.

Cable and satellite customers are also ok because the equipment they supply converts the signal for analog TVs. Households who rely on over-the-air TV, who receive signals through antenna or “rabbit ears,” will need a digital-to-analog converter box. You connect your antenna to the box, and it changes the digital signal so you can see it on your old TV.

You will need a converter for every television in your house that’s attached to an antenna but that doesn’t have a digital tuner.

According to the National Association of Broadcasters, 19.6 million households receive only over-the-air signals, which will leave a lot of people in the dark after Feb. 17.

“Most older people don’t understand why they need a box,” said Alan Davidson, a salesperson at Wal-Mart. “If they have a TV that’s five years or older, they’re probably going to need a box.”

Congress created a coupon program for households who wish to keep over-the-air TV and would still like to receive signals. Each household is eligible for two coupons, valued at $40 a piece, to be used toward the purchase of converter boxes.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration handles the coupons, which have been available since Jan. 1 and will be available until March 31.

To apply for coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov; call the coupon program toll-free 24-hour automated system at 888-DTV-2009; mail an application to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000; or fax an application to 877-DTV-4ME2. Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY).



Where can I get a box?

The coupon Web site lists retailers who sell the converter boxes. Stores in Cleburne selling boxes include Sears, Wal-Mart, CVS, H-E-B, Hawk Electronics and RadioShack.

Davidson said Wal-Mart sells out of the boxes quickly as they come in. They usually carry the RCA box but also received some Magnavox boxes in the last shipment, he said.

Radioshack carries two brands, Digital Stream and Zenith.

“The one with the amplified indoor antenna is probably better if you don’t have an outside antenna,” said Stephannie Grigsby, assistant manager at Radioshack. “We have had better luck with selling those.”

A trait unique to the boxes available at Radioshack is the addition of a universal remote, she said.

Many retailers, such as Davidson, say it is a good idea to obtain a box regardless of whether you have a digital TV or are a cable or satellite subscriber. That way, if the service goes out in case of bad weather or other circumstances, viewers won’t be left in the dark. They can power up their old TVs and continue watching.

“Many people don’t even ask that question or think of that,” Davidson said. “That is exactly what I would recommend.”

TV viewers have three available options. They can subscribe to a cable or satellite service or buy a converter box. Or …

“Go buy a brand new TV, and you don’t have to even worry about the box,” Grigsby joked.

If you decide to buy a new set, make sure the set has an ATSC tuner. That means it’s capable of receiving digital signals.

Sets that have digital tuners can receive local signals through an antenna, but reception will vary according to location. To help determine the proper antenna, visit www.antennaweb.org.

For those who choose the latter option, many electronic recycling programs are available to get rid of old television sets. The Consumer Electronics Association has set up a Web site at www.myGreenElectronics.com, which lists all electronic recycling places.

Whatever you decide, get ready. Only 54 days remain until the transition.

To find out if you are ready, visit www.DTVTransition.org, and take the online quiz.



On the Web:

www.dtv.gov

www.dtvanswers.com

www.DTVTransition.org

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.