Answers to Your Questions About Digital TV

• What is Analog Television?
• What is Digital Television?
• How is Digital Television Different?
• Why are we Switching to Digital Television?
• When is the Full Transition to Digital Television?
• Can I get Digital Television Today?
• Will My Traditional Television Still Work After the Transition?
• How Can I Learn More About the Digital Conversion?
• Where is Twin Cities Public Television on DTV?
• Will I need a new antenna to recieve digital TV?
• Will I be Able to Record Digital TV Programs?
• How can I recycle my old TV?

Since television was first invented, TV signals have been transmitted to viewers using a technology called "analog." It isn't important to understand how this system worked, but it is important to know that this technology is being phased out and will soon be completely eliminated.

Digital television (DTV) uses a new technology for broadcasters to send out their signals. This new technology improves picture and sound quality and makes it possible for television stations to offer more channels than before.

DTV can provide pictures in different sizes, also called aspect ratios.  Aspect ratio is a technical term that refers to how wide a screen is in relation to its height.  An aspect ratio of 4:3 is what we are used to from traditional TV.  DTV can provide pictures in this "narrow" 4:3 format as well as in widescreen format, which has an aspect ratio of 16:9. 

Resolution is a technical term that refers to how much detail is contained in a picture and, therefore, how realistic it looks. DTV comes in two levels of resolution:

• Standard Definition TV (SDTV) - SDTV is the basic resolution for both traditional and digital TV and is generally referred to simply as "standard definition."
• High-Definition TV (HDTV) - HDTV is the highest resolution type of digital broadcasting.  To make matters confusing, HDTV can come in slightly different resolutions, referred to as 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. Each of these has certain advantages, but all provide a substantial improvement over SDTV. 

In addition, DTV allows for audio to be broadcast in very high quality, including in full surround-sound.

Finally, DTV allows broadcasters to offer more channels than they could before. Instead of one channel, say channel 2, a broadcaster may offer several channels: channel 2.1, channel 2.2, channel 2.3, and so on.

In addition to the consumer benefits discussed above, the U.S. government has mandated a conversion to DTV to free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast airwaves. Those portions of the airwaves will be used for other important services, such as advanced wireless and public safety services (for example, police, fire departments, and rescue squads.)

The date set by Congress for final transition to DTV is February 17, 2009. After that date, television stations across the United States will only broadcast digital signals.

While all television broadcasting will be digital as of 2/17/2009, not all broadcasts will be in the higher quality HDTV format.  Many, if not most, programs will still be broadcast in the lower-resolution SDTV format.  Conversion to the higher quality HDTV standard is not mandated by Congress and may take many years.

Yes.  Consumers can get DTV today in three ways: 1) by subscribing to a digital service through their cable or satellite company,  2) by connecting a special receiver converter box to their existing analog TV to decode over-the-air digital signals, or 3) by purchasing a new digital television set with a built-in digital receiver.

However, while traditional televisions can receive DTV through cable or with a set-top box, they can do so only at the lower-resolution SDTV level. To see the higher quality HDTV, a digital television set supporting HDTV is required.  (To make matters confusing, some cable and set-top boxes will "down convert" HDTV signals to SDTV, so the program will appear on a traditional TV, but not in full HDTV quality.)

Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices for many years. However, after 2/17/2009, they will not be able to receive over-the-air television unless a special convwerter box is added.

Electronic stores and online retailers are now selling these converter boxes. They cost $40 - $70. The U.S. government is helping consumers cover the cost of these converter boxes by issuing $40 coupons upon request. More information on the coupon program can be found here: https://www.dtv2009.gov/ or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

While analog TVs will be able to receive DTV broadcasts, they will NOT be able to display HD quality pictures or sound. In order to take advantage of the increased quality of digital broadcasting, a new digital television set will be required.

The government has set up a website, http://www.dtv.gov/index.html, to help consumers understand all the facts behind this transition.

Probably not. In most cases, existing antennas that are getting decent analog reception will work for digital TV. However, digital TV signals are primarily on the UHF band, while most major analog TV stations broadcast on the VHF band. Some antennas being used for analog TV may not include good UHF elements. For rabbit ears, UHF elements are usually round ("hoop") pieces. Also, there are separate UHF antennas you can buy for set-top or attic installations. (To confuse matters, after February 17, 2009 some digital signals will move back to the VHF band, so you'll need an antenna that can handle both.)

Digital TV signals are also directional, so it helps to have your antenna pointed in the direction of a station's broadcast tower. This website allows you to enter your address and it will tell you which type of antenna will work best for digital TV in your area and how it should be positioned: http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx.

Yes. A VCR, DVD recorder, or digital video recorder (such as TiVO) attached to a television equipped to receive DTV programs will be able to record the programs. However, most existing devices will record HDTV material in the lower resolution SDTV format.

In order to record programs in HDTV, special recorders will be required. Today, the only widely available way for consumers to record in HDTV is to use a special high-definition digital video recorder (usually obtained from TiVo, DirectTV or a cable provider.) Currently, there are not any consumer model HDTV DVD recorders, although these will likely appear over the next few years.

Special consideration is required when disposing of electronics because they contain hazardous materials. Electronic products containing a cathode ray tube (such as TVs and computer monitors) may not disposed of in the garbage and must be recycled. (Minnesota State Statute 115A.9565). Fortunately, there are many electronics recycling options. The following web sites can guide you in finding an electronics recycler in your area.

http://www.mygreenelectronics.org

http://www.greenguardian.com/