At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
- Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
- Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
- Purchase a television with a digital tuner, once you have, click on www.AntennaWeb.org to find your optimum digital antenna position.
|
Here is a copy of the Digital TV Newsletter that we mailed to 20th District homes in December, we will try to keep you as up to date about the Digital TV transition as possible. |
|
If you are shopping for a TV over the next few months, please make sure that you look for the label telling you whether the television you are thinking about buying is Digital TV compatible or whether you will need to get a converter once the transition is made. These labels are both in English and Spanish. |
|
Please take a look at these information bulletins from the FCC detailing the Digital TV transition. These bulletins are both in English and Spanish. |
|
Should you decide to keep your analog television, you will need to purchase a digital television converter. To help alleviate the cost of this necessary purchase, Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program. This is a sample application for a converter coupon where you will find instructions on how to apply. |