DTV Transition Q&A

What is Digital Television?

Digital Television is a new system of broadcasting that uses a stream of ones and zeros to transmit video and audio. It doesn’t require as much radio spectrum as the traditional analog transmissions we’ve received for seven decades. So TV stations will be able to broadcast more channels than they do now and free up some of the old airwaves (Channel 51 and above) for use by mobile phones and public safety agencies. High-defnition digital sets (HDTVs) can produce much sharper and more detailed images than old analog sets, even at mind-boggling screen sizes. But even standard definition digital sets (SDTVs) will produce pictures sharper and clearer than analog images.

Sounds great! What’s the problem?

The analog TV sets most of us use to receive broadcasts over the air won’t be able to receive the new transmissions. Their tuners aren’t compatible with the new digital system. Broadcasters are transmitting both types of signals right now, but the government has ordered them to shut down their analog equipment on February 17, 2009. If you don’t do something about it before then, your analog set will turn into a doorstop.

Will all the analog TV sets in the country go dark?

Not exactly. The switchover will only affect analog sets that receive their broadcasts over-the-air, using an antenna. Between 15 and 20 percent of American households rely solely on these over-the-air broadcasts. Unfortunately, they include disproportionate numbers of the poor and elderly. The switch will not affect sets hooked up to cable, satellite or fiber optic systems. Most of these companies will continue to provide analog signals to their customers for several years, at least. But even in homes with cable/satellite service, there are millions of secondary TVs in bedrooms, guest rooms and other areas that still use antennas to get their signals over-the-air. They could go dark after February 17, too.

So what can I do to keep watching TV after February 17, 2009?

You have several choices. Unfortunately, all of them will cost  you money.

• Buy a converter box for each analog TV that receives broadcasts over the air. The converter has a digital tuner that replaces the tuner in your TV set. The government is providing each household with two coupons worth $40 toward the purchase of a converter. But you’ll probably have to spend more than that — most converters are selling for $50 to $70 apiece. You may have to buy a new antenna, too.  The government doesn’t help with that at all.
• Buy a new digital TV set, meaning one with a tuner designed to meet requirements set by the ATSC (American Television Standards Committee). It will probably cost considerably more than the set it’s replacing, but remember: you don’t need a huge, hyper-expensive, high-definition TV to get digital broadcasts.  Standard-definition digital TVs are available in smaller sizes and produce excellent pictures.
• Sign up for cable, satellite or fiber optic service. This is the most expensive option by far, because the charges never stop. It’s a good idea only if you want the extra channels and services that cable or satellite company offers — or your digital reception is so poor that you have no other choice.

How do I get a converter box?

Major retailers that sell TVs have them in stock now. These include Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-mart, Radio Shack, K-Mart, Sears and Target. Many online retailers carry them, too. As of mid-August, there were seven national brick-and-mortar chains, 34 online vendors, and 13 telephone retailers selling converters, according to the National Association of Broadcasters. But retail stores often run out, so it’s a good idea to call ahead and see if they’re on the shelves before you visit. Here are three government sites that can help you:

• Government-approved converters
• Retailers that carry converters 
• How to set up a converter  

How does the coupon program work?

Converter Coupon

Each American household qualifies for up to two coupons, and each coupon is worth $40 toward the price of a converter. Unfortunately, most converters are selling in the $50 to $70 range, so you’ll have dig into your pocket for something you probably didn’t want in the first place. So far, the government says, more than 23 million coupons have been mailed. The coupons actually look more like credit cards. When you take one to the store, the clerk will swipe it at the cash register, and $40 will be credited toward the purchase. One thing no one has figured out is how to get a credit for returning a converter that doesn’t work properly (meaning it doesn’t do a good job of bringing in a signal, as opposed to having a factory defect). Nor do the coupons cover the cost of new antennas that many viewers will have to buy.

How do I get my coupons?

The easiest way is to sign up online (by clicking here). You can also call the government’s toll-free hotline at 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009). Another way is to visit your local library — most of them have application forms and librarians trained to help you fill them out. One warning: Coupons expire 90 days after they’re mailed, and they may take several weeks to arrive. So if you haven’t applied, do it now!

What’s the best converter box?

That’s hard to say, because conditions vary so much by location, and your box’s performance will be highly influenced by the type of antenna you use and its orientation. The real problem is that there’s no way to tell ahead of time because most TV stations are broadcasting digital signals at less than full power today to save on electricity, and many are on temporary fequencies that will change after the switchover. They won’t crank up the juice till transition day, or just  before. That said, Consumer Reports has been testing converter boxes for some time and reviews them online. You’ll also find knowledgeable reviews on Cnet.com. 

I’ve heard I should buy a converter with “analog pass-through.” Is this necessary?

It depends on where you live and what you watch. The FCC has ordered full-power stations to turn off analog transmitters on Feb. 17, 2009. But the order does not apply to hundreds of so-called low-power stations with extremely limited range. Many of these are community, foreign language or religious broadcasters. Others merely relay broadcasts from larger markets to isolated areas, particularly west of the Mississippi. You can generally tell a low-power channel because its call sign is followed by the letters “LP,” as in WRAV-LP in Ocean City, Md.  Other types of low-power stations have 5-character call signs that include the channel number, as in W22DA. According to the FCC, there are 18 low-power stations in Maryland, mostly on the Eastern Shore and in the western counties.

Many low-power stations will continue broadcasting analog signals after their full-power counterparts move to digital-only. To continue watching these low-power stations without a wiring hassle, you’ll need a converter that can pass analog signals straight through to your computer. You may have to shop around for one of these, or buy online, because they’re not as common as basic converters. The government keeps an up-to-date list of approved converters on the NTIA Web site. Look for models with an asterisk next to their names. The FCC has also posted detailed information about hooking up a pass-through converter or setting up a workaround if you don’t have one.

Can I still use my VCR to record programs?

Yes, but it won’t be as easy as it is now. That’s because the tuner in your VCR won’t be able to receive the new digital signals directly. So you’ll have to do one of two things:

• Buy an A-B box that lets you switch the signal from converter box between  your TV and your VCR. 
• Buy a separate converter box for the VCR. This setup will allow you to watch one channel while taping another. You may have to do a bit of experimenting here to get decent results. We haven’t seen any VCRs or DVD-recorders with built-in digital tuners yet.

Assuming I get everything hooked up right, will I get the same channels I get now?

Another big “maybe” here — actually several of them. So let’s take the issues in order.

• Good news: multiple channels. Because digital transmissions are more efficient at sending information, each station will now be able to broadcast up to four channels of programming. Most will combine two of those channels for one high-definition broadcast, at least in prime time. But that still leaves a lot of potential for new programming on non-HD channels — or more likely, rehashes of old stuff. The most obvious change you’ll see on your tuner will be decimal points in the channel numbers. For example, Channel 13 will now broadcast as Channel 13.1 (the main channel), as well as 13.2, 13.3 and so on. Not every broadcaster will transmit on every sub-channel, but you’re likely to see at least one additional choice ( typically a 24-hour weather show), from each major station.
• Bad news: missing channels. Theoretically, digital broadcasting is an all-or-nothing proposition. Either you get a great signal from a particular station, or none at all. With analog broadcasts, it’s quite possible to get a less-than-perfect, but still watchable signal in fringe areas or from stations in nearby markets. For example, lots of people in the Baltimore area watch stations from Washington or central Pennsylvania. They may be a bit fuzzy, but still viewable. Many of these are likely to disappear from your TV after February 17, 2009. You may also wind up searching for channels in your own market. Digital signals have much different technical characteristics than analog broadcasts, and they’re more prone to interference from physical objects. For that, you may need a new antenna. Even then, you may not be able to receive them. If you think this is a rotten deal, you’re right.
• Wild card No. 1: swapping frequencies. One unknown in the transition is that so many stations will be using new equipment to broadcast on new frequencies without thoroughly testing the new combination. Why? Under the whole complex transition deal, the government will take back the frequencies above UHF Channel 51 (most of which have already been sold off to wireless carriers, who will then be able to charge you for airwaves you now use for free). Broadcasters, meanwhile, will play a game of musical chairs. Remember, most of them have been transmitting digitally on temporary channels. Some will switch to digital transmissions on their old channels, while others will switch to new, permanent digital channels in the UHF range. Aside from a few experimental broadcasts at 3 a.m., most of which don’t include comprehensive measurements of reception in various geographic areas, the real-world switch will be the first test of the new system. Sigh.Theoretically, this should all be transparent to you. When you turn on your converter for the first time, it will scan all available frequencies for broadcasts and store those channels in its memory. On switchover day, you may have to select a menu item that tells your converter to re-scan. But if all goes well, when the box gets done scanning, the stations you watch will keep the same channel numbers they’ve always had, even though most of them are broadcasting on new frequencies. Still, this wholesale frequency swapping is yet another reason why no one can say with certainty whether you’ll get all the channels you currently receive after Feb. 17, 2009.

Will I need a new antenna?

That’s a good possibility, particularly if you’re using a rabbit-ears antenna built into your set. Theoretically, if you’re happy with the antenna you have now, it should work reasonably well after the transition. That’s because the digital system uses the same general part of the radio spectrum as the current analog system — just less of it. Unfortunately, digital signals propagate differently from analog transmissions, and they’re more prone to blockage and interference from surrounding buildings, towers, and so forth. So your antenna may not be good enough to bring in all the analog channels you get now  — at least not without moving it around the room. I tried a converter with rabbit-ears antenna advertised for digital broadcasts on different TVs in two different rooms, as well on a high-definition set with its own digital tuner. In no case could I actually get all the Baltimore channels. And I live at an altitude of 500 feet, less than six miles from the TV tower farm on Baltimore’s Television Hill. Possibly, my problems are the result of stations broadcasting on less than full power. But once again, there’s no way you or I will know until transition day.

 What kind of antenna will I need?

If you hook up the converter to the rabbit-ears attached to your TV set and can’t get the stations you expect, try a separate indoor antenna (many don’t look much like rabbits any more). If it’s a cheap one, make sure the antenna has a “UHF loop” or some other feature designed to receive UHF signals. Most of the new digital broadcasts will be in the UHF band, no matter what the channel number. More expensive indoor antennas have built-in preamplifiers or other circuits designed to boost reception, although it’s hard to say whether they help. You’ll find antennas at most retailers with TV departments. If you want a bigger selection, log onto amazon.com and search for TV antennas. You’ll find dozens of indoor models ranging from $10 to $75.

The great outdoors: If you can’t get adequate reception with a standalone indoor antenna, your best bet is an outdoor antenna. These can be expensive to install — with a rotator, they can run into hundreds of dollars. If you think paying this kind of money to watch the same old channels is an outrage, so do I. We’ll discuss that in another forum.

Assuming that you are willing to spend the dough, visit www.antennaweb.org, a site is maintained by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association. Here you can enter your street address and see a map showing both the analog and digital stations in your area, along with a coded list showing the type of outdoor antenna you need to receive each one. These codes are standardized, you so can visit any antenna dealer or installer and tell him what type of antenna you need. To receive some stations, you may get by with a cheap, omni-directional antenna, but other stations in the same area may require a heavy-duty rotator model. According to antennaweb.org, my home will require an outdoor rotator antenna to get all of Baltimore’s digital stations — as opposed to the built-in rabbit ears that work just fine with the analog broadcasts. One caveat:  To get an accurate antenna analysis, all you have to enter is your address and ZIP code. Don’t leave your name, e-mail address or phone number unless you really want calls or messages from the NAB, CEA or any of their good friends, associates or business partners.