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CUBFacts
The Transition to Digital TV: What You Need To Know
The federal government has mandated that by June 12, 2009 most TV stations stop
broadcasting analog signals and switch to digital signals. This transition,
which will force consumers to buy “converter boxes” for their older
televisions, will affect 35 million households across the country. Analog
signals translate audio or video signals into electronic pulses while digital
signals are supposed to be more efficient, breaking up the signals into binary
code—a series of 1s and Os.
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The original deadline was Feb. 17, but Congress moved to delay the transition
to June 12 out of fear that televisions in millions of households would go
black because of confusion over the switch. The federal government also has
pumped $650 million in Stimulus Package money into the transition program to
better ensure that things go smoothly come June 12. That money is helping to
get consumers the necessary coupons to buy “converter boxes” that will keep
their TVs operating properly.
The transition has been pushed by the broadcast and cable industry. Digital
signals will make more channels available to broadcasters, who say the
transition will lead to higher-quality pictures and sound than an analog signal
could provide. Digital signals also take up less space than analog signals,
which will free up the airwaves for other purposes, such as a wireless network
devoted solely to police and fire emergencies.
This transition does NOT mean you need to buy a new television. If your
television does not have a built-in digital tuner and you use “bunny ears” or
antennas to pick up your local TV channels, you will need to buy a converter
box. The general rule
of thumb is that if you own a TV manufactured after
2004 you will NOT need a converter box. Most
TVs made in the last five years have digital tuners.
Some will, but not by the June 12 deadline. The lone exception is the satellite
dish customer who still uses “bunny ears” to get his or her local channels. In
the short term, cable companies will continue to send both analog and digital
signals over their cable lines. However, they will begin to phase out analog
signals. The pace and timing in which this transition is done depends upon
individual cable companies, but by 2012 all cable companies have to stop
sending analog signals. Once that happens, TVs in your home that are hooked up
to cable boxes will be fine, but those TVs that are attached directly to the
cable connection in the wall will need converter boxes—unless your TV has a
built-in digital tuner.
The federal government is allowing up to two $40 coupons per household to
be used for the purchase of converter boxes (one coupon per converter box).
Consumers can either call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) or apply
online at www.dtv2009.gov.
The $40 coupons expire 90 days after a consumer gets them. It may
cost consumers at a minimum $10 to pay for a converter box, since the
current ones on the market are $50 or more.
Don’t throw away your antenna. While analog signals can travel through walls
and trees, digital signals are considerably weaker. You will need your “bunny
ears” to help you get the appropriate channels. While those with digital cable
tuners shouldn’t be affected, in worse-case scenarios, people will have to
invest in an outdoor antenna.
Beware that cable companies and retailers may try to take advantage of
confusion in the analog-to-digital transfer in order to sell consumers
expensive viewing packages or TVs they don’t need. There also is the potential
that large numbers of televisions will be thrown away, even though they need
not be. This so called “e-waste” is problematic because TVs contain large
amounts of lead, which could pile up in landfills, adding to pollution.
Finally, the fact that digital signals are not as strong as analog signals may
create an additional cost for consumers who are forced to invest in an outdoor
antenna.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set up a hotline for digital TV issues: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). Also, this government website contains helpful information:
www.dtv2009.gov. Another website that contains a wealth of
information and some reviews of converter-box performance is run by Consumer
Reports and can be found at
www.consumerreports.org/dtv/.
CUB is a nonprofit, statewide utility watchdog organization that was created by
the Illinois Legislature. If you have a question or complaint about a utility,
call CUB, at 1-800-669-5556.
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