What is DTV?
Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that has transformed your television viewing experience. DTV has enable broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It also offers multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities.
The DTV Transition
The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the Digital TV (DTV) Transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel.
Later, Congress set June 12, 2009 as the deadline for full power television stations to stop broadcasting analog signals. Since June 13, 2009, all full-power U.S. television stations have broadcast over-the-air signals in digital only.
Why Did We Switch to DTV?
An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it freed up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum can now be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).
Consumers also benefited because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp High Definition (HD) digital program or multiple Standard Definition (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.”
Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program. So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers. Further, DTV provides interactive video and data services that were not possible with analog technology.
Digital Television Tuners
The Commission's digital tuner rule specifies that as of March 1, 2007, all new TV sets must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner. Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals beginning the first day after the DTV Transition deadline -- June 13, 2009.
To address this issue, the FCC has adopted a rule requiring sellers to display the following text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner:
Now That the DTV Transition Is Completed, Can I Still Use My Old Analog TV Set? How?
Even though the DTV Transition is now completed, your analog TV set is not obsolete. However, there are some steps you must take to be able to continue to use it. To ensure continued use of your analog set, you must do one of the following:
§ Use a digital-to-analog converter box.
§ Connect to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV.
In addition, analog sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products that you use now.
Analog TV sets need additional equipment -– a digital-to-analog converter box -– to receive over-the-air television, now that the DTV Transition is completed. Analog sets equipped with a converter box will display the digital broadcasts, but not in full digital quality.
This converter box, much like your cable box, will allow you to receive a picture, but it won't be able to show high-definition pictures or give you access to other digital services.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
Can I Use My UHF/VHF Antenna to Receive DTV?
Yes. Television stations broadcasting in digital use both the VHF (channels 2-13) and UHF (channels 14-51) bands. Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band.
§ Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly. Many antennas currently being sold as “HDTV Antennas,” perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these models state that they provide reception of signals on channels 7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels. When acquiring a new antenna, be sure to talk to retail consultants and look at information on the packaging and/or the Internet to make sure that any new antenna you may choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels. In addition, if you use an indoor antenna and receive signals on VHF channels, you may need to use an antenna with amplification. You can use the DTV Reception Maps on the dtv.gov website at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/ to identify the stations you should be able to receive at your location. For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvantennas.html.
Did the DTV Transition Affect TV Sets That Are Connected to Cable Services?
No. If you subscribe to cable service, the DTV transition did not affect any TV sets that are connected to your cable services. The DTV transition applied only to full-power broadcast television stations -- stations that use the public airwaves to transmit their programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna.
How Do I Improve DTV Signal Strength?
Your DTV reception can be affected by terrain, trees, buildings, the weather, damaged equipment, as well as antenna type, location, and orientation. It can be improved just by changing the location of the antenna you’re using now. Moving your antenna away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher, can often improve reception. The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. Also, you may consider installing a signal booster, which should improve reception. If you are having trouble receiving a broadcast:
§ Check your connections.
§ Perform a channel scan.
§ Adjust your antenna.
The FCC Consumer Facts sheet “Troubleshooting Guide For Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Digital Televisions” at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/troubleshootguide.html should help you diagnosis and correct your problem.
Stations may make changes to their coverage between now and June 12, 2009. To find DTV signals that are available at your location, go to DTV Reception Maps.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
What Converter Boxes Are Eligible in the Coupon Program?
· List of Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes
· Locate a Converter Box Retailer near you
Can DTV Reception be Affected by Moving Vehicles and Weather?
Your DTV reception can be affected by nearby moving vehicles, such as cars, trucks, trains and airplanes. In some instances, shadowing or reflections from these vehicles may cause your digital picture to temporarily break-up or even disappear completely. If this occurs, you should try moving or reorienting your antenna to find a position that provides the most reliable reception. If you are using an indoor antenna, switching to an outdoor antenna system which may include a directional antenna or rotor could improve reception. In severe cases it may not be possible to completely eliminate the effect of nearby traffic. If reception remains unsatisfactory due to these disruptions, viewers may wish to consider alternatives such as cable or satellite service.
Your DTV reception can also be affected by severe weather conditions such as storms and high winds. These reception issues can result from fluctuations in the broadcast signal that can be caused, for example, by moving leaves and branches on trees. You can minimize the effects of high winds or storms by re-orienting your antenna to obtain the strongest available signal. If this does not work, a better indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna may help. In addition, make sure that outdoor antenna mounts are secure to minimize any movement caused by the wind. If you lose reception of a particular channel during severe weather conditions try tuning to other channels that remain available for weather advisory information or alerts. In cases where no TV stations can be received, you should tune to a local AM or FM station or any other available media for weather alerts.
How do I connect my portable, battery-powered analog TV to a battery-powered digital-to-analog converter box?
The http://www.digitaltvtrainer.com/national/showme-battery-tv-converter website provides the following instructions on how to connect a portable, battery-powered analog TV to a battery-powered digital-to-analog converter box. Note that the instructions are manufacturer and model-specific.
§ How to build a 12 volt power supply for a 12 volt converter
§ How to build a simple 12 volt converter box power supply that has a plug just for the converter box
§ How to build a simple 12 volt converter power supply wired to a car power accessory outlet
§ How to build a power supply for converter boxes powered by 5 volts DC
§ How to watch the battery TV with the converter box
§ How to purchase a converter box and a matching battery power supply
Will Emergency Alerts and Broadcasts Continue with DTV?
Yes. DTV stations are required to continue operating the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
Do I Need a Special Antenna to Receive DTV Signals?
No. DTV signals do not require a special antenna. The reception of over-the-air DTV programming requires the same type of signal reception equipment (an antenna) that worked with your analog TV set.
If you needed a rooftop antenna to receive analog TV broadcasts, the same antenna generally will work to receive DTV broadcasts. It should not be necessary to purchase new antennas that are marketed “digital ready” or “HD ready.”
While you do not need a special antenna to receive DTV signals, you will need additional equipment to receive over-the-air television when the DTV Transition is completed -- if you use an analog TV set that has only an analog tuner.
Consumers who rely on antennas (including outdoor antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on analog sets with analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV.
These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog sets. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
What about Parental Control with DTV (V-Chip)?
FCC rules require that V-chip logic be built into digital TV sets and other DTV reception devices, just as they were in analog TV sets. You can learn about the ratings system, also known as “TV Parental Guidelines,” at www.fcc.gov/vchip.
The V-chip is a technology that enables parents to block television programming based on a program’s rating. The ratings are encoded within the television signal. The V-chip reads the encoded rating information of each program and blocks shows according to the parents’ blocking selections.
What Is the Difference Between a Master Antenna (MATV) vs.Cable vs.Satellite?
Check with your landlord, building manager, homeowner, condo association or video provider to find out what type of input signal (broadcast or cable) your Master Antenna (MATV) system is using and how you are affected.
If you subscribe to the cable TV service offered in your city or town, or if you subscribe individually to satellite TV service and receive your local channels through your own satellite dish, you will continue to receive your local broadcast channels without having to buy a digital TV set or DTV converter box.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
Can I Use My UHF/VHF Antenna to Receive DTV?
Yes. Television stations broadcasting in digital use both the VHF (channels 2-13) and UHF (channels 14-51) bands. Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band.
• Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly. Many antennas currently being sold as “HDTV Antennas,” perform best at receiving UHF signals; some of these models state that they provide reception of signals on channels 7-13 but actually perform less well receiving those channels. When acquiring a new antenna, be sure to talk to retail consultants and look at information on the packaging and/or the Internet to make sure that any new antenna you may choose provides good reception of both VHF and UHF channels. In addition, if you use an indoor antenna and receive signals on VHF channels, you may need to use an antenna with amplification. You can use the DTV Reception Maps on the dtv.gov website at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/ to identify the stations you should be able to receive at your location. For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvantennas.html.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
Does DTV Support Closed Captioning?
Yes. FCC rules require that digital-to-analog converter boxes be able to convert over-the-air digital Closed Captioning for display on analog TV sets.
Will DTV Provide Emergency Video Descriptions?
FCC rules state that broadcasters must orally describe any emergency information that is shown on the screen. With DTV, broadcasters have more audio channels on which to provide the video description.
Emergency information that is not orally described must be accompanied by an aural tone which instructs individuals with vision disabilities to turn to a radio or another source for more information.
Contact your local broadcasters to determine whether video description is offered.
Video descriptions are a way to inform people who are blind or have other vision disabilities of what is happening on the television screen. Video description is the insertion of verbal descriptions about the setting and/or action in a program when information about these visual elements is not contained in the audio portion of the program. These descriptions supplement the regular audio track of the program.
What Are Low Power TV (LPTV) Stations?
Low Power TV (LPTV) stations are usually smaller, community-owned and operated stations, or stations broadcasting in foreign languages.
LPTV stations can also be translator or booster stations that extend a television station's signal to areas not reached by the main transmitter. The mandatory DTV Transition deadline does not apply to these LPTV stations.
What Are My Reception Options with Low Power TV (LPTV)?
LPTV stations are not affected by the DTV Transition. Switching to digital specifically for LPTV broadcasts only is not required. There are several options. Follow up with your LPTV broadcaster.
Here are your choices:
· Keep an analog TV connected to a broadcast antenna to view analog LPTV and translator station broadcasts.
· Purchase and use a digital-to-analog converter box that has analog pass-through capability. Analog pass-through allows you to watch analog TV broadcasts as well as digital TV broadcasts through the converter box.
· Purchase and use a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through capability, and then connect a "splitter" or antenna switch to receive both analog and digital broadcasts. Check with your consumer electronics retailer if you need instructions on how to connect the box to view broadcasts from both analog and digital stations.
· Purchase a digital television set with a built-in digital tuner that can receive both analog and digital stations.
· Subscribe to a cable television or other pay service that carries the analog station(s) you want. .
To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available in FCC’s Support Center.
What Is Screen Cropping? Why Are There Black Bars Around My Picture?
To properly display digital content, bars may be placed at the top, bottom, and/or sides of the image to ensure that the image is not distorted.
Some digital-to-analog converter boxes and digital TV sets also provide the ability to alter the image to fit the screen, either by “stretching” or “squeezing” the image. Please consult the owner’s manual of your digital TV set or digital-to-analog converter box for details on how to eliminate the bars through zooming, stretching or squeezing the image on your screen.
How Do I Improve Picture Quality?
On a higher-resolution TV set (HDTV), a lower-resolution channel or program will appear in lower resolution. Switching between a high-resolution and a low-resolution program or channel will result in a visible loss of image quality.
To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available in FCC’s Support Center.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
What about Mexican/Canadian Broadcasts?
Canadian TV stations will transition from analog to digital broadcasting, but not until August of 2011. Mexico has begun its transition and will complete it in 2021.
If you have an analog-only television that receives free over-the-air programming with an antenna, you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box with "analog pass-through" capability in order to continue watching both analog and digital broadcasts .
What about TV Rebroadcasts of AM/FM Radio?
To listen to any rebroadcasted audio on an analog TV, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box.
Will Radio Be Available on Analog TV?
The radio on a radio/analog TV combination unit will continue to function if the TV is connected to a digital-to-analog converter box containing an analog pass-through feature.
You should check with the converter box manufacturer to be sure. The NTIA maintains a list of analog-pass-through-capable boxes at www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm .
How Do I Connect the Antenna?
Specific connection information for an antenna depends on the type of device and its configuration. The antenna manufacturer should provide detailed connection instructions.
For more information on antennas, see the Antenna Guide.
Why Have I Lost Channels?
Your DTV reception can be affected by terrain, trees, buildings, the weather, damaged equipment, as well as antenna type, location, and orientation. It can be improved just by changing the location of the antenna you’re using now.
Moving your antenna away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher, can often improve reception. The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. Also, you may consider installing a signal booster, which should improve reception.
If you are having trouble receiving a broadcast:
· Check your connections.
· Perform a channel scan.
· Adjust your antenna.
The FCC Consumer Facts sheet “Troubleshooting Guide For Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Digital Televisions” at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/troubleshootguide.html should help you diagnosis and correct your problem.
To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available in FCC’s Support Center.
If you are still experiencing difficulties, go to the FCC Support Center.
I Don’t Have a Picture. What Should I Do?
Your DTV reception can be affected by terrain, trees, buildings, the weather, damaged equipment, as well as antenna type, location, and orientation. It can be improved just by changing the location of the antenna you’re using now.
Moving your antenna away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher, can often improve reception. The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. Also, you may consider installing a signal booster, which should improve reception.
If you are having trouble receiving a broadcast:
· Check your connections.
· Perform a channel scan.
· Adjust your antenna.
The FCC Consumer Facts sheet “Troubleshooting Guide For Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Digital Televisions” at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/troubleshootguide.html should help you diagnosis and correct your problem.
To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available in FCC’s Support Center.
If you are still experiencing difficulties, go to the FCC Support Center.
Help! I have Multiple Technical Issues!
Your DTV reception can be affected by terrain, trees, buildings, the weather, damaged equipment, as well as antenna type, location, and orientation. It can be improved just by changing the location of the antenna you’re using now.
Moving your antenna away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher, can often improve reception. The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. Also, you may consider installing a signal booster, which should improve reception.
If you are having trouble receiving a broadcast:
· Check your connections.
· Perform a channel scan.
· Adjust your antenna.
The FCC Consumer Facts sheet “Troubleshooting Guide For Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Digital Televisions” at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/troubleshootguide.html should help you diagnosis and correct your problem.
To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps available in FCC’s Support Center.
If you are still experiencing difficulties, go to the FCC Support Center.
Are any other options available to obtain information during emergencies?
It is also important to note that consumers still can turn to their battery-powered radios for important information during weather emergencies. Radio stations provide the same emergency weather information available through television stations. In addition, some television stations simulcast their broadcasts on local radio stations. Consumers can contact their local television stations to learn more about simulcast availability.
Many emergency service officials recommend the purchase of a NOAA Weather Radio, available at many electronic and department stores, for consumers living in regions prone to weather emergencies. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, provides continually-updated weather information and alerts listeners to local severe storm warnings, along with the latest hurricane advisories from the National Hurricane Center and the Hurricane Local Statements from the National Weather Service. For more information, go to: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/radio.php .
My Radio Receives the Audio Portion of Analog TV Channels. Will it Still Work Now that the June 12, 2009 DTV Transition is Completed?
Radios that are designed to tune the audio portion of analog TV broadcasts are not capable of receiving the audio portion of digital TV broadcasts. You may wish to consider obtaining new portable digital televisions or radios that can receive the audio portion of digital television broadcasts as they become available on the market.
My Local AM/FM Radio Station Re-Broadcasts an Analog TV Channel’s Audio. Now That the June 12, 2009 DTV Transition Is Completed, Will the Radio Station Continue This Service?
The audio and video in a digital television broadcast signal is combined in a manner that may require an AM/FM re-broadcaster of TV station audio to install additional equipment to continue such a service. Consumers should check with their local radio AM/FM broadcaster to see if they have maintained TV channel audio re-broadcasting post DTV Transition.
DTV Links for more information about the DTV conversion:
· National Association of Broadcasters http://dtvanswers.com/
· DTV.GOV (from the FCC) http://www.dtv.gov/
· Frequently Asked Questions from DTV.gov http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html
· Local information - AnchorageHD.TV http://www.anchoragehd.tv/
· Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdtv
AntennaWeb.org http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
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