Digital television or DTV is an innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables TV stations to provide crystal clear pictures and CD quality sound.

DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast in high definition or provide multiple channels of programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only onechannel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.

No! HDTV is the highest quality of DTV, but it is only one of several formats. In addition to HDTV, the most common format is Standard Definition Television (SDTV). Consumers who have high definition TV sets may receive free high definition television programming over the air using an antenna.

Every household in America that receives free over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners –and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider –will be affected by the transition.

Approximately 70 million television sets are at risk of losing their signals after February 17, 2009, if owners of these sets do not make the easy transition to DTV.

A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna. The box converts the digital television signal into analog making it viewable on your analog TV.

The boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70, and will be available for purchase in early 2008 at retail stores that sell electronic equipment.

• When can I get a DTV converter box?
• Where can I purchase a DTV converter box?
• When can I get a coupon for a DTV converter box?
• How do I sign up for the DTV converter box coupon program?
• How do I know if I have an analog or digital television set?
• Will I be able to continue to use my existing VCR with a DTV converter box for timed recordings?

You say that if I have cable TV I won’t be affected by the digital transition, but my cable company tells me I need to get a box from them to make the switch to digital. Who is right?

Short Answer:
The February 17, 2009 switch to digital ONLY affects you use an ANTENNA to watch WMUR over the air. If you have cable, you will still be able to watch WMUR as you do now.

Long Answer:
Cable companies offer many levels of service and all kinds of equipment. The most basic service level is often called “Basic.” This usually means a cable comes out of your wall and plugs straight into your TV giving you a small number of channels, including your local broadcast channels like WMUR-TV. Watching WMUR on basic cable won’t change. Fancier levels of cable service offer many more channels and advanced features like ordering pay-per-view movies on demand. These kinds of premium cable services are often referred to as “digital cable” and usually require special equipment provided by the cable company like a digital cable box. If you have cable and want to switch to “digital cable” service, or upgrade your cable equipment, you should call your cable company to get more information, but this kind of “switch to digital” has nothing to do with the February 17, 2009 digital transition. The bottom line is that if you have cable now and can watch WMUR now, you will still be able to watch WMUR after the February without making any changes.

Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs.

Video: The Law & Conversion Explained

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 currently need a roof-top antenna to receive television, thesame antenna generally will be needed to receive DTV.

• Get Help Choosing An Antenna