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Digital TV TransitionAfter June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations will switch their broadcasts from analog to digital signals. To continue receiving over-the-air television programming, viewers must buy a digital converter box to hook up to their television set, or else buy a new digital set. Cable and satellite television are not affected by this change. Congress recently moved the DTV transition deadline from its original date of February 17 to June 12, 2009. However, many stations nationwide are converting before the new June 12 deadline. In the Austin area, two stations are doing so:
Until further notice, it is assumed that the remaining Austin area stations will change over on June 12. They may be reached at these numbers:
For support:
Walk-In DTV Transition Clinic at DeWitty Center, June 3 - June 12, 2009 The City of Austin will host a walk-in information center for the upcoming television switch to digital broadcast television at the City’s DeWitty Job Training and Employment Center at 2209 Rosewood Ave., Suite 210, in East Austin. City staff and volunteers will be at the DeWitty center to answer questions and provide demonstrations about the switch to DTV. The information center will include:
The walk-in information center will be open:
To find out the digital signal quality in your area, use this new tool provided by the FCC. For each station, It will show the signal strength:
Sites with information about the Digital TV transition:
TARA and the Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission are hosting a series of public forums to raise awareness and provide information about the Digital Television Transition. Who Is Affected By the Transition? Most viewers will not be affected by this changeover. Cable television subscribers, satellite television subscribers, and AT&T U-Verse subscribers will NOT be affected by the digital television transition. The transition to digital will affect you ONLY IF you receive programming over the air -- through an antenna or "rabbit ears." Even if you are receiving your programming over the air, you still might not be affected. Your television may already be equipped to receive digital signals. If it was bought after March 1, 2007 it is almost certainly digital. There will probably be a label on it or a notice in the owner's manual that mentions "Digital Tuner," "Digital Receiver," "DTV," or "ATSC." If so, you will be able to receive over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. Otherwise, your television is "analog-only" and it will not be able to use the new digital signals. In this case, there are two options:
A digital converter box is an add-on that plugs in between the antenna and the TV, where it translates the digital signal into an analog format that your TV can use. Converter boxes are available at most electronics stores for about $60. There is also a federal program that provides coupons worth $40 each that can be applied toward the cost of a converter box (limit two coupons per household). See www.dtv2009.gov to apply for coupons and for more details about the program.Program update (March 31, 2009): The TV Converter Box Coupon Program is now accepting applications from consumers whose coupons expired without being redeemed. Replacement coupons will only be issued to eligible households upon request. Also, the Coupon Program has completed processing approved coupon applications that were placed on a waiting list beginning in January 2009. Consumers who had been notified they were approved for coupons but placed on a waiting list due to a lack of program funds will be issued coupons. Consumers who apply for a coupon and are approved after the waiting list is eliminated will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. If the Program experiences high demand, it may be necessary for the Coupon Program to once again place applicants on a waiting list. Should this happen the Program may distribute coupons to over-the-air only households first to ensure as many U.S. households as possible have at least one working television after their local TV stations complete the transition to digital by June 12, 2009. For more details, see www.dtv2009.gov. Why the transition to digital? The transition was mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. All full-power broadcast stations in the U.S. are legally required to make the switch. Digital signals are more accurate, resulting in a clearer picture and better sound. This will be true even on an older analog TV equipped with a digital converter box. Digital technology will enable broadcasters to offer high-definition (HDTV) programming, which previously was available only on cable or satellite. Digital technology also makes better use of the radio-frequency spectrum, i.e., the total range of frequencies available for broadcasting radio/TV signals. Because of this, broadcasters can offer more channels of programming. In many areas, there are already "bonus" channels that become available when you switch to digital reception. This efficiency also means that part of the spectrum can now be used for a number of advanced wireless and interactive services, as well as additional public and safety communications. "Digital" does not necessarily mean "High Definition" (HDTV). They are not the same thing. HDTV pictures are twice as sharp as pictures in standard definition, with a wider-screen format. To see high-definition pictures, you need a high-definition TV. Some digital TVs can receive high-definition broadcasts, but they show the picture in standard definition.
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