What is digital television (DTV)?
What are the benefits of digital television?
What is the digital TV transition?
What is the difference between integrated DTVs and DTV monitors?
What do DTV sets look like and what do they cost?
Do I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?
Do I already have DTV via digital cable or satellite?
What about my VCR, DVD player and camcorder? Will I be able to use them with an HDTV or DTV set?
Are DTV and HDTV the same thing?
What is digital television (DTV)?
Digital television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology that
is transforming television as we now know it. By transmitting the
information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" (like a
computer), a digital broadcaster can carry more information than is
currently possible with analog broadcast technology. The difference
between analog and digital broadcasting is similar to that between
compact discs and cassette tapes.
Digital TV offers a better viewing experience with vastly improved
picture and sound quality. DTV is also more efficient than analog
TV technology so broadcasters will be able to produce additional
signals using the DTV system.
What is analog television?
Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting TV
signals and has been the standard broadcast technology since the
inception of television. Analog television service isn’t as
efficient as DTV. It uses up much more valuable spectrum that - once
the DTV transition is completed - will be provided to public safety
organizations, such as first responders including fire and police
departments. Remaining spectrum will be auctioned off for the
production of new services.
What are the benefits of digital television?
Digital technology allows the transmission of pictures with higher
resolution for dramatically better picture and sound quality than
currently available. DTV also allows the transmission of several
TV programs at once - called "multicasting." DTV technology can
also be used to provide interactive video and data services that are
not possible with "analog" technology.
An equally important, but often overlooked benefit of DTV is that it
will free up scarce and valuable spectrum for public safety and new
wireless services. This is possible because the modern technology
of DTV is more efficient than analog TV technology, allowing for many
new and critical uses of this very limited resource.
What is the digital TV transition?
The digital TV (DTV) transition is the switch from traditional analog
TV to digital TV, a modern technology with many benefits. Analog
television sets receiving
free, over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but
owners of these TVs will need to acquire converter boxes to change
digital broadcasts back into the old analog format. If
you’re a cable or satellite subscriber, you aren’t likely to be
affected by the DTV transition, but you may want to check with your
cable or satellite provider if you have questions about your service.
What is the difference between integrated DTVs and DTV monitors?
An Integrated DTV set is a digital television with a built-in DTV
receiver. If you have an Integrated DTV and live in an area served by a
DTV broadcast station, you won’t need any additional equipment, with
the exception of an antenna to receive over-the-air DTV broadcast
programming. Integrated TVs can usually receive and display current
analog signals.
In contrast, a DTV-Ready monitor isn’t capable of receiving
over-the-air DTV broadcast programming without additional equipment. A
DTV set-top decoder must be connected between the antenna and the
monitor to receive and display over-the-air DTV programming.
Confirm with your retailer that the DTV receiver or set-top decoder is
compatible with the DTV monitor that you’re purchasing. Most
monitors have a built in analog receiver and can display regular analog
TV programming. They can also display standard resolution video
from DVD players and VCRs.
What do DTV sets look like and what will they cost?
Most DTV sets have wider, more rectangular screens than current analog
TVs. This widescreen format allows for images that are more like those
shown in a movie theater. Like current TV sets, a range of sizes
is available.
As with most new consumer electronics technologies, DTV sets have
become less expensive since their introduction. Prices are
expected to continue to decrease over time and will vary depending on
screen size, display technology, and other features.
Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?
In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of
signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality
reception of analog TV signals. If you now need a roof-top
antenna to receive television, the same antenna generally will be
needed to receive DTV. For specific information on using an
antenna to receive local television broadcast channels visit www.antennaweb.org.
Do I already have DTV via digital cable or satellite?
You may have DTV if you subscribe to the digital package and get
digital programming. But, digital cable and satellite
service aren’t necessarily "DTV." Your cable or satellite system may be
using digital technology as a more efficient way of delivering
programming to your analog TV set. If you have an analog television
set, then you aren’t viewing true DTV, even though the signal you’re
watching may be somewhat improved. In order to view true DTV and enjoy
all the attributes of digital television service, you must view
television signals on a new DTV set.
Similarly, in order to view programs in high-definition (HDTV), you
must be equipped with a TV set capable of displaying pictures in
high-definition. Your cable or satellite set-top box or the CableCARD
from your cable company must provide HDTV channels. Otherwise, you must
have an antenna that can receive digital HDTV signals over the
air. Check with your cable or satellite provider if you have
questions about your service.
What about my VCR, DVD player and camcorder? Will I be able to
use them with an HDTV or DTV set?
HDTV and DTV sets are "backward compatible," meaning existing analog
equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work
on digital TV sets, but not in high definition. Their video will
be displayed in the maximum resolution that is available with each
product.
Are DTV and HDTV the same thing?
No. HDTV, or high-definition television, is the highest
quality digital television (DTV) available, offering more than five
times the sharpness of today’s analog television, along with digital
surround sound capability. DTV is also available as EDTV
(enhanced definition TV) or SDTV (standard definition TV), each with
improved pictures and sound over today’s analog televisions.
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Federal Communications Commission:
- Phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
- TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
- Fax: 1-866-418-0232
- E-mail: DTVinfo@fcc.gov
- DTV Reception Maps
Use this program to check for the DTV signals that are available at your location. - Digital TV Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons (DTV)
A website to help you decide which digital TV converter box is best for you! - CheckDTV
CheckDTV can tell you what free digital television signals are available at your residence. - EZ Digital TV.com
- DTV Transition Organization
- NAB Organization
- DTV Government Site
- FCC Consumer Facts - Digital Television
- Antenna Web - Find the Right Antenna
- MyCEknowhow - Learn About your CE Devices
- CEA Connections Guide - Connect Your CE Devices
- LG Electronics - Back to the Basics: How to Set Up Your New HDTV
- CERC - The Transition to Digital Television
- What you need to know about the DTV Transition
- NCTA - Receiving HDTV via cable
- SBCA - Receiving HDTV via satellite
- CTAM - This is Cable HDTV
- NTIA - Digital Television Transition and Public Safety
However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:
- Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set. CLICK HERE for
more information.
- Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
- Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner. Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.
Consumers that subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite aren’t likely to be affected by the switch, but if you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations.
