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HDTV - Like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
Digital Television (DTV) is a new technology that allows your local TV
stations to greatly improve the transmission quality and variety of program
choices they provide. DTV not only permits wide screen, high definition TV
(HDTV) but also allows multiple "standard definition" program channels to be
broadcast over the existing DTV channel. Thus, DTV improves the quality and
quantity of what you see and hear on TV, bringing you a much sharper,
clearer picture and improved sound, as well as offering more viewing choices
for entertainment and information. After February 17, 2009, only DTV
broadcasting will be permitted, and the existing analog channels which you
have been watching over the years will cease operation. Therefore, if you
currently view TV via an antenna connection, it is crucial that you
immediately take steps to enable DTV reception in your home.
All of your local TV stations are already broadcasting DTV on a special,
second TV channel, but before you can take advantage of all that DTV has to
offer, you will have to replace or upgrade your existing analog TV sets. You
can purchase a new DTV which will allow you to immediately enjoy DTV, or you
can acquire a Digital DTV Converter Box which attaches to your existing
analog set and permits you to watch the new DTV offerings. The analog TV set
you are now watching will not be able to receive the DTV signal unless you
install such a converter box, available from most local electronics stores.
The Federal Government has instituted a coupon program which can provide $40
toward the cost of these converter boxes. Remember, though, that these
converter boxes will not give you full HDTV quality because of the
limitations of your existing analog set--but your picture will be better
than the existing analog version and you will be able to receive the
multiple channels offered by DTV.
The TV industry has a special website that offers you more detailed
information on the new era of free digital TV service. You may reach this
special website by clicking here.
Find out more about the new HDTV TV sets using a free consumer electronics
guide available by clicking here.
If you are a cable TV subscriber you should contact your local cable
provider to find out what HDTV options will be available to you. To learn
more about HDTV and cable, visit the cable TV industry's website by clicking
here.
If you are a satellite TV subscriber you should contact your satellite
provider to find out what HDTV options are available to you. To learn more
about HDTV and satellite TV visit the satellite industry's website by
clicking here.
Consumer Frequently Asked Questions
WHY ARE BROADCASTERS MOVING TO DTV TRANSMISSION?
All aspects of broadcast and consumer media have been moving to digital
formats for well over 20 years, beginning with the introduction of the
consumer Compact Disc in 1982 and the DVD in 1996. Since that time, digital
recording, storage, and transmission have become universally accepted as
providing the highest quality media experience for consumers, as well as
providing more freedom of choice and additional entertainment and
information features. DTV brings all of that value to the over-the-air
television experience. The versatility of the DTV system allows presentation
of very high quality images, with improved definition and surround sound, as
well as providing multiple additional program streams in standard definition
format. DTV is also far more spectrum efficient than analog TV, thus freeing
up valuable frequencies for other services, including safety and homeland
security communications.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HDTV AND DTV?
HDTV is one of the primary services offered by DTV. Originally the only
intended use for DTV was to broadcast a High-Definition (HDTV) picture. Then
additional channel services were added to the mix, so that the
High-Definition aspect became only a part of all that DTV car offer.
HOW DOES DTV WORK?
Existing analog television stations have been assigned a new channel for
implementation of digital DTV service. A type of video transmission known as
8-VSB is used to digitally encode the new digital TV channel, permitting the
broadcaster to provide simultaneous high definition video and audio, as well
as additional standard-definition TV program services.
DOES THIS MEAN EVERY STATION WILL BROADCAST ON TWO CHANNELS, ONE ANALOG
AND ONE DIGITAL?
Until February 17th, 2009 all TV stations will broadcast both the analog
signal and the new digital signal on two separate channels. After that date
all analog TV channels will be turned off and TV stations will have just one
DTV channel. Existing analog over the air television receivers will not be
able to receive that DTV signal unless a digital converter box is attached.
SINCE THE HDTV BROADCASTS ARE PRESENTED ON EXISTING TV CHANNELS, WHY DO I
NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW RECEIVER TO VIEW THEM?
Conversion to any digital transmission scheme requires modification or
replacement of existing equipment. Existing analog TV sets cannot decode the
digital data stream that provides the digital programming and data, and thus
you must purchase a new DTV set in order to take advantage of these
services.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE CONVERTER BOXES YOU MENTIONED? CAN I USE ONE OF THOSE?
Yes. Low cost converter boxers are now available for sale which will allow
existing over the air analog TV sets to receive the digital signal. These
converter boxes will not give you a true HDTV signal, but will allow viewing
of the HDTV picture within the capabilities of your existing analog set, as
well as providing you additional program channels. Special coupons are
available from the federal government which will result in a $40 discount on
purchases of most digital converter boxes.
For more information click
here.
MY HOME HAS CABLE TV AND I DO NOT RECEIVE OVER THE AIR TV BROADCASTS.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER FEBRUARY 17, 2009?
Your local cable provider will continue to provide you a video signal from
all over the air stations now receivable in your location. These channels
will not be presented as DTV but will be converted to standard definition TV
for viewing on your existing analog set. Most cable companies can also
provide the full DTV signal (including HDTV) for viewers who elect that
level of service and have a compatible DTV receiver to view them.
WHAT ABOUT MY VCR? WILL IT STILL WORK?
Yes. The new DTV receivers include analog video connections so you can still
use your existing analog VCRs for playback. After February 17th, 2009, you
will be able to continue playing your pre-recorded VCR tapes into the new
DTV displays by connecting your VCR to the appropriate analog input. Of
course, you may also continue to play them back into any existing analog set
as well. But in all cases, the pictures you will see from your analog VCR
will be presented in the same standard definition resolution that the device
was originally designed for and will not be viewed as HDTV. If you wish to
record over-the-air television after February 17th, 2009, your existing VCR
will not work because analog television will cease to exist after that date.
Your only option would be to attach a digital converter box to your VCR to
allow you to decode and record over-the-air DTV signals, although of course
the recordings will be in standard definition video.
I HAVE A LARGE SCREEN PLASMA DISPLAY, SO I MUST HAVE HDTV ALREADY, RIGHT?
Not necessarily. Not all large screen displays are TV receivers, and not all
large screen TV receivers have the required DTV tuner.
• Sets labeled “HD Ready” usually indicate that the display or monitor can
display pictures at the required HDTV resolution, but a digital TV tuner
must be installed to receive HDTV signals over the air.
• Sets labeled “HDTV” usually indicate that the display or monitor can
display pictures at the required HDTV resolution and that it also
incorporates the required DTV tuner to permit receiving HDTV signals off the
air. Digital tuners are also called "ATSC" tuners and you may that term used
as well.
The FCC now mandates that every TV set manufactured for sale in the United
States must include a DTV tuner. If you purchased a large display TV several
years ago you may not have such a tuner installed. Also, if you recently
purchased a large screen monitor or display (not a full TV set) you may have
a display that is "HD Ready" but does not include the DTV tuner, which must
be added externally to enjoy over the air DTV. These terms are often
confused by buyers and sellers alike, so always verify what capabilities
apply to the set you are buying. Be sure to ask, "Can I connect an antenna
to this display or monitor and receive HDTV over the air without purchasing
anything additional?"
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT DTV?
The National Association of Broadcasters has also put together an excellent
website at http://dtvanswers.com.
The federal government has put together a website full of DTV/HDTV
information. To get there, go to:
http://www.dtv.gov.
Also, feel free to call your local TV station and ask for the Chief
Engineer. They love to talk about DTV!
MORE INFORMATION
• FCC Consumer Advisory: Buying the Right TV
- What Every Consumer Should Know
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