The Digital Television Transition: What You Need To Know

Now there are more reasons than ever to get satellite TV, as February 17, 2009 marks a change for television as we know it today.

Digital television is new technology which allows television stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously (also known as multicasting). In addition, this technology also permits interactive video and data services which is not possible for analog signals.

Analog television has been around since the inception of television. It has long been the standard technology for television service. Using more resources with less flexibility for television stations to transmit, analog service is less efficient and is also more likely to have picture quality issues.

Switching to digital will allow television broadcasting stations to offer better quality in picture, sound and perhaps more channels over-the-air for consumers with HD televisions. The analog turn-off will free up airwaves providing more space for wireless services.

Television stations offering broadcasts over-the-air are required by law under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009 and broadcast using digital only.

Consumers who receive over-the-air analog signals through antennas who do not subscribe to cable or satellite television will be affected by the transition. It's reported that 19 million households receive over-the-air signals in their homes, with 14 million households having secondary televisions in their bedrooms or other rooms. Ultimately, 70 million television sets are estimated at risk of losing their signals on February 17, 2009 if the transition to digital is not made.

Consumers will have three options in preparation for the switch to digital TV:

1. Purchase a converter box that will convert the analog signal to a digital signal.
2. Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
3. Subscribe to cable or satellite television.

Consumers can visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply for a converter box coupon. For more information about the analog to digital switch, you can visit www.dtvtransition.org.