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Digital Television Transition

Is Your TV Ready for the Digital Transition?
If You Get Over-the-Air Broadcast TV, You Need to Prepare for a Change

Background

In less than six months, television in America will undergo one of the biggest changes since the transition from black-and-white to color. This change will affect millions of Americans who currently use analog TV sets to view free over-the-air broadcast programming.

Senator Amy Klobuchar serves on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues. She wants to help Minnesotans prepare for this major change in television broadcasting. On this page, you will find guidance on whether you are affected by this change and, if so, what you will need to do.

What's Changing

On February 17, 2009, television broadcasters in the U.S. will stop sending analog signals and switch to sending television signals only in a digital format. Digital television (DTV) will provide clearer pictures and sharper sounds, while freeing up airwaves for emergency first responders and new wireless communications.

As a result of this switchover on February 17, 2009, an analog TV set will no longer be able to receive broadcast signals without a digital converter box (a small box that connects to the TV set and converts the digital signals to analog signals).

Who Is Affected

This change will directly affect ONLY people who receive free over-the-air broadcasts on their TV sets. It does NOT apply to people who receive all of their TV service through cable, satellite or other paid service

However, many households have multiple TV sets and not all of them are connected to cable or satellite systems. Any TV set that receives broadcast signals will need to be digitally-equipped in order to continue receiving broadcast programming after February 19, 2009.

Also be aware that if you cancel your paid service or your service is disrupted (for example, by a storm), your TV will not receive broadcast signals unless it is digitally equipped.

What TV Sets Are Affected

The newer your TV set is, the more likely it is already equipped to receive digital broadcast signals. Manufacturers first began offering TV sets with digital tuners in the late 1990s. In the past several years, nearly all new TV sets have included digital tuners.

To determine whether your current TV set is able to receive digital signals, check the owner's manual or the TV set itself to see if it includes either an integrated HDTV tuner or an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also check by looking for your TV make and model on the manufacturer’s Web site.

Be aware that a TV set designated as “HD-ready” or “HDTV monitor” does not have a built-in digital tuner. This type of TV set will still need to have a converter box to receive broadcast signals after February 19, 2009.

Help Is Available

To assist American consumers with the digital switchover, Congress created a fund to help offset the cost for consumers to purchase converter boxes for their TV sets. The typical cost of a converter box is between $50 and $70.

Consumers can request a coupon worth $40 to be used toward the purchase of a converter box. Each household can receive up to two coupons. Please note that you must redeem the coupon within three months after it is issued.

The coupon can be used at a wide variety of consumer electronics retailers, including Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart. The coupon is good only for the purchase of a converter box. It cannot be applied toward the purchase of a digital TV set.

The coupons are available until March 31, 2009.

Senator Klobuchar's Efforts

Senator Klobuchar has worked hard to help consumers understand the switch to DTV. Earlier this year she partnered with Minnesota-based retailer Best Buy and officials from the Minnesota AARP and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association to help raise awareness of the upcoming switch to DTV.

In July, Senator Klobuchar and her senate colleague Orrin Hatch of Utah took several steps to aid in the awareness effort. They co-sponsored a bill designating August as DTV Awareness Month and recorded a public service announcement explaining the DTV transition and how consumers can receive transition help from the government.

In April, Senator Klobuchar�s staff made visits to Minnesota cities to educate consumers about the transition. During visits to St. Cloud, Brainerd, Virginia, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Alexandria, Marshall and Mankato, Senator Klobuchar�s staff informed Minnesotans about the upcoming transition and what they can do to prepare for the switch. Many of the visits included employees from electronics retailers to explain and demonstrate the switch to DTV.

What You Need To Do

The time to prepare is now to ensure that your TV set will receive broadcast signals after the digital conversion on February 17, 2009.

There are several ways you can request a coupon:

• Apply online by going here www.dtv2009.gov
• Call the 24-hour hotline, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530- 2634
• Download the application here, then mail or fax it to:

P.O. Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000
Fax: 1-877-388-4632

For more details about the digital television transition, click here http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

If you have any questions or need help, call Senator Klobuchar’s Office here.