Television is about to change

Television as we know it
is about to change.

By law, full-power television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) on February 17, 2009. DTV is an innovative 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.

Antenna on Analog TV
Consumers who receive free broadcast 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 service provider - will be affected by the transition.* You can upgrade to DTV by following one of three steps by February 17, 2009:
Purchase a DTV converter box.
Purchase a digital TV set
Subscribe to a cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider
* Low-power TV stations may remain in analog after Feb. 17, 2009. Watching analog programming may require specific equipment.

Antenna on Digital TV
All TVs with a digital tuner are able to receive digital signals broadcast by television stations, so you can continue to receive your free programming with no monthly fees.

To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number.

Cable Television
Any TV set in your home that is connected to a cable, satellite or a telephone company television service should not be affected by the transition. But if you have any TV sets–perhaps in a bedroom or kitchen–that are not connected to a paid TV service, you will need to upgrade those sets to continue receiving a television signal on those sets after the transition to digital television

Satellite Service
Any TV set in your home that is connected to a satellite, cable or telephone company television service should not be affected by the transition. But if you have any TV sets–perhaps in a bedroom or kitchen–that are not connected to a paid TV service, you will need to upgrade those sets to continue receiving a television signal on those sets after the transition to digital television.

In some areas, satellite companies do not provide local television channels, or the companies may charge extra to receive local stations. If you currently pick up local stations using an antenna, your TV set may need to be upgraded with a converter box if it does not have a built-in digital tuner.


How do I switch?
You can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of three simple steps:



1- Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert
the digital signal into analog for an existing television set.

The DTV converter box, sometimes referred to as a set-top box, is an electronic device that makes the new digital signal viewable on an older “analog” television set. DTV converter boxes will be available for purchase in February of 2008, and are expected to cost between $40 and $70. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government will be offering up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households. Each coupon may be used toward the purchase of a single DTV converter box and the coupon program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) www.dtv2009.gov.
You will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set. Your current antenna should work the same as before. For more information visit www.antennaweb.org.




2- Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner

Another option you may choose is to upgrade to a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. As with older sets, you will need an over-the-air antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog television signals to pick up free digital broadcast programming from local stations. Before deciding to purchase a new digital TV, you should make sure your current TV doesn’t already have a built-in digital tuner. Most sets sold in the last few years that are larger than 27 inches will likely have a digital tuner.

To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number.

3- Can I recycle my TV?

Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit mygreenelectronics.com.

DTV switch delayed



its a problem waiting to explode!!!!!you know some of the dtv box cost more than a fta box....now thats some bull


delayed till june 2009

__________________

Updated

The date when television goes all digital is June 12, 2009.

By law, full-power television stations nationwide must begin broadcasting exclusively
in a digital format by June 12, 2009.
The U.S. Congress approved an extension of the deadline,
which was originally set for February 17. *

Digital television, known as DTV,
is an innovative type of broadcasting technology
that provides crystal-clear pictures and sound,
and more programming choices than ever before.

Millions may lose TV today



Millions may lose TV today NEW YORK - TV stations across the U.S. started cutting their analog signals Friday morning, ending a 60-year run for the technology and likely stranding more than 1 million unprepared homes without TV service.

The Federal Communications Commission put 4,000 operators on standby for calls from confused viewers, and set up demonstration centers in several cities. Volunteer groups and local government agencies were helping elderly viewers set up digital converter boxes that keep older TVs functioning. Sets hooked up to cable or satellite feeds are unaffected by the transition.

"When you're alone like me, that's my partner," Patricia Bruchalski, 82, said about her TV.

Bruchalski, a pianist and former opera singer who lives in Brooklyn Park, Md., got assistance Thursday from Anne Arundel County's Department of Aging and Disabilities and a community organization called Partners in Care. After her converter box was installed, Bruchalski marveled that digital broadcasts seemed clearer and gave her more channels — about 15 instead of the three she was used to.

"You're going to be up all night watching TV now," volunteer installer Rick Ebling told her.

A survey sponsored by broadcasters showed that Americans are well aware of the analog shutdown, thanks to a yearlong barrage of TV ads. But many people simply procrastinated.

"We know some viewers will wait until the very last minute, or even after June 12, until they take action," said Paul Karpowicz, second vice chair of the television board of the National Association of Broadcasters.

Laura Hand, community relations director for Barrington Broadcasting Co.'s three-channel station in Syracuse, N.Y., said her company had received only about a dozen calls and half that many e-mails by 8:30 a.m., even though Barrington's NBC affiliate went off the air entirely. It abandoned analog at midnight, and its digital equivalent won't be back up until this weekend, because it needs to move to another frequency.

Many other stations will be moving to new frequencies as well, which is why even antenna-equipped digital TV sets and older sets hooked up to converter boxes need to be set to "re-scan" the airwaves on Friday.

Some people might also need new antennas, because digital signals travel differently than analog ones. While an analog station that came in imperfectly might have had static but remained viewable, digital generally comes in all or nothing. Indeed, one of Bruchalski's newly available stations looked pixelated, and Ebling said she might have to get a different antenna.

The shutdown of analog channels opens part of the airwaves for modern applications like wireless broadband and TV services for cell phones. It was originally scheduled for Feb. 17, but the government's fund for $40 converter box coupons ran out of money in early January, prompting the incoming Obama administration to push for a delay. The converter box program got additional funding in the national stimulus package.

Research firm SmithGeiger LLC said Thursday that about 2.2 million households were still unprepared as of last week. Sponsored by the broadcasters' association, it surveyed 948 households that relied on antennas and found that 1 in 8 had not connected a digital TV or digital converter box.

Nielsen Co., which measures TV ratings with the help of a wide panel of households, put the number of unready homes at 2.8 million, or 2.5 percent of the total television market, as of Sunday. In February, the number was 5.8 million.

Nearly half of the nation's 1,760 full-power TV stations have already cut their analog signals, though they are mostly in less populated areas. Those ending the signals Friday will do so throughout the day, with many waiting until the evening.

Even after Friday, low-power analog stations and rural relay stations known as "translators" will still be available in some areas. And about 100 full-power stations will keep an analog "night light" on for a few weeks, informing viewers of the need to switch to digital reception.

Why are some of the other fta web sites saying they have the N3 fix???

thread now Unstuck - old news

and closed