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Community Newsletter: Q&A: Please clarify the digital TV (DTV) transition in 2009
- 5/16/08 3:56 PM
re: Well...it depends...
by gmclam - 5/12/08 12:17 PM In reply to: Well...It depends.... by hoffa53> I would suspect that in the near future (circa 2010-2012) most cable companies will be going all digital, so people should start to upgrade their sets soon!
Talk about confusing the issue!!! The fact that cable companies are "going digital" has NOTHING to do with your TV. The cable companies are going digital in order to squeeze in as many channels as they can. They will provide their customers with cable boxes to do the conversion, if needed. Consider the fact that the satellite companies have ALWAYS been ALL DIGITAL. Again their recievers perform the conversion. This issue (2/17/2009) is solely about what terrestrial broadcasters are doing.
I think the mandate/ is the opposite of what Verizon told me
by bdsolomon - 5/12/08 9:18 PM In reply to: Well...It depends.... by hoffa53If I understand that correctly, it's not that the government wants them to go digital only, it's that they're granting a waiver to ALLOW them to not transmit analog -- something to do with the low cost settop boxes (the DCT 700, which also happens to be the ones Verizon gave me).
I didn't follow all those attachments -- either they had to make a "low cost" alternative available, or they had to provide the boxes. In my case, Verizon said that they were not charging up front OR monthly for the boxes, but I'm still annoyed because I lose the ability to get time and TV listings from the PBS station. But then someone (on another thread, I think), said that the format change was costing that anyway.
I think that pretty much screws up my DVR/DVD burner from anything but "record now", because as I recall I can't even set the clock directly. I'll have to check some time.
Switching over to digital telecast
by ssougatooo - 5/7/08 1:01 AM In reply to: Please clarify the digital TV (DTV) transition in 2009 by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am from Alipore, Kolkata. Though I do not belong to your area I can at least tell you that for each analog TV you'll require individual converter (set-top) box. This is because the telecast will be in digital format while the converter will convert digital signals to analog.
Thanks.
No new tv needed
by frollo17 - 5/7/08 10:48 AM In reply to: Please clarify the digital TV (DTV) transition in 2009 by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dont worry, the original idea of the digital switchover was to get rid of all the old tellies. But there has been info that you do not need a new tv, so long as you have cable or sat youll be fine
Digital TV broadcasting in the USA
by gmclam - 5/8/08 9:59 AM In reply to: Please clarify the digital TV (DTV) transition in 2009 by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Most full power TV broadcasters around the USA have been broadcasting both digitally (ATSC) and in analog (NTSC) for several years. TV stations were "loaned" a 2nd channel to make the switch from analog to digital. On February 17, 2009 they must cease broadcasting on their analog channels and only broadcast on their digital channels.
To make things more complicated, no station will be allowed to broadcast on channels 52 to 69. Those channels will be given back to the government to make up the "700 MHz band". So in addition to being required to turn off their analog channel, many stations will be required to "move" their digital signal.
Because broadcasters have such an investment in branding their analog channel number, their digital stations are identified with the same numbers. For example; what you've watched on analog channel 3 is called 3.1 (etc) on the digital channel, regardless of the physical channel being broadcast on.
Generally speaking, those who get their TV from cable or satellite will not be affected; but the specifics of each cable system varies.
Don't confuse "DTV" (or digital TV) with "HDTV" (or High Definition TV). Broadcasters are being required to broadcast digitally, they are not required to broadcast in high definition. Some broadcasters are transmitting several "sub channels", some in high definition, and some a mixture of both. Cable and satellite companies are generally only required to carry the main signal.
Q: Specifically, will my several analog TVs that are connected directly to cable still function?
A: Yes. I doubt you'll even notice this switch.
Q: will I need a converter box on each of them?
A: TVs connected to cable (or satellite) will NOT need a converter box. TVs which receive signals from an antenna will need a converter.
Q: TV store salesmen say I will need a box on each. But I understood that the cable companies would continue to send both analog and digital signals over the cable.
A: Every cable system is different, but if they are sending digital signals, they are NOT the same as the digital signals broadcast over-the-air. Cable boxes convert cable digital signals for you.
Q: Only the 'over-the-airwaves broadcasting' would be free of analog signals so those receiving TV via antenna will need a box on each analog TV. Is that correct?
A: Correct. This change is with regard to over-the-air signals only.
Some great member answers to get you started on the topic.
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 5/9/08 2:35 PM
In reply to: Please clarify the digital TV (DTV) transition in 2009 by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Answer:
“You are set for the meanwhile”
To avoid confusion, first be aware that the change mandated for 2009 refers only to over-the-air broadcasts and has nothing whatsoever to do with so-called digital cable channels, which are entirely something else. I have read numerous stories in local papers written by ignorant and confused journalists who have conflated these two different technologies leading to even greater confusion for the average person with little technical knowledge.
Virtually every cable company converts at least some or all of the signals it transmits into analog--even digital signals--because most sets in current use do not have digital capabilities--yet. Since you are plugged direct into the cable (apparently without a box) that is what you are receiving, and you have what are called "cable-ready" television sets, but only for analog cable reception.
As long as your cable provider continues this practice, you are set. Your cable provider will use the appropriate equipment to receive the new digital over-the air broadcast signals and send them on to you in analog form. (In fact, they may already have been doing so.) Just as they do for some cable channels like CNN or C-SPAN. At some point, however, cable providers may try to force you into a box, or worse, even end analog conversion. Comcast, for example, has been moving channels around into the higher-numbered digital range in order to push customers into boxes.
Higher-tier packages also provide analog reception, for now, for digital cable channels, but to receive those you usually need a box from the cable provider. These channels typically include the scrambled premium film channels, like HBO, for example. They also include other "premium" content that is not necessarily scrambled, but for which a digital cable box is required (which box converts the digital cable signal into an analog signal for your television set). Again, you should be able to continue using your current sets with these boxes should you ever upgrade your service and require a cable converter box.
The converter boxes for which coupons are being distributed will work only for over-the-air broadcast signals and NOT with the so-called digital cable signals discussed above. The one type of box has nothing to do with the other. A digital cable box will get you the digital over-the-air signals converted into analog, but the new converter boxes will not get you digital cable channels.
But there is also another point of confusion that should be examined, because almost no one seems to be doing a very good job of explaining it to people, especially in the public service announcements being aired on broadcast channels.
Many television sets were sold over the years with built-in rabbit ear or telescopic antennas. Unless there is some means of disconnecting the built-in antenna, to attach a different antenna, you will NOT be able to use the digital broadcast converter box. The antenna must be connected to the converter box and the box to the antenna inputs of the TV set. Almost no one seems to be aware of this circumstance. You cannot use a built-in antenna with the new converter boxes unless there is some way of wiring the built-in into the box and there is some alternate means of plugging the converter into the TV set!
I, myself, am stuck with an older, perfectly good portable Sony set that operates off batteries (or AC power,) which has a built-in antenna, that will become utterly useless, as there is no way to by-pass the built-in antenna. I also have another set that the kids have used for video games with a built-in that can be by-passed, but I would have to buy some rabbit ears to go with the converter should I decide to get one. The long and short of it is this: Whether one has an outdoor or an indoor antenna, now, it must be connected to the converter box and anything currently plugged into the set must be disconnected. (The hookup between the converter and the TV set will require a 75 ohm connection, or the use of a 75 ohm to 300 ohm transformer if the set is so old it has only the older 300 ohm twin-lead connection.)
I hope this answers your question and clears up some of the details for others who have been confused, too.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=293451&messageID=2765103#2765103
Submitted by: MikeyD215
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Answer:
Digital TV broadcasting in the USA
Most full power TV broadcasters around the USA have been broadcasting both digitally (ATSC) and in analog (NTSC) for several years. TV stations were "loaned" a 2nd channel to make the switch from analog to digital. On February 17, 2009 they must cease broadcasting on their analog channels and only broadcast on their digital channels.
To make things more complicated, no station will be allowed to broadcast on channels 52 to 69. Those channels will be given back to the government to make up the "700 MHz band". So in addition to being required to turn off their analog channel, many stations will be required to "move" their digital signal.
Because broadcasters have such an investment in branding their analog channel number, their digital stations are identified with the same numbers. For example; what you've watched on analog channel 3 is called 3.1 (etc) on the digital channel, regardless of the physical channel being broadcast on.
Generally speaking, those who get their TV from cable or satellite will not be affected; but the specifics of each cable system varies.
Don't confuse "DTV" (or digital TV) with "HDTV" (or High Definition TV). Broadcasters are being required to broadcast digitally, they are not required to broadcast in high definition. Some broadcasters are transmitting several "sub channels", some in high definition, and some a mixture of both. Cable and satellite companies are generally only required to carry the main signal.
Q: Specifically, will my several analog TVs that are connected directly to cable still function?
A: Yes. I doubt you'll even notice this switch.
Q: will I need a converter box on each of them?
A: TVs connected to cable (or satellite) will NOT need a converter box. TVs which receive signals from an antenna will need a converter.
Q: TV store salesmen say I will need a box on each. But I understood that the cable companies would continue to send both analog and digital signals over the cable.
A: Every cable system is different, but if they are sending digital signals, they are NOT the same as the digital signals broadcast over-the-air. Cable boxes convert cable digital signals for you.
Q: Only the 'over-the-airwaves broadcasting' would be free of analog signals so those receiving TV via antenna will need a box on each analog TV. Is that correct?
A: Correct. This change is with regard to over-the-air signals only.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=293451&messageID=2768523#2768523
Submitted by gmclam
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Answer:
After the Switch
If you obtain your television signal through a cable provider, you will notice no change. The only change will be in over the air reception by older televisions that are only capable of receiving analog signals.
This has absolutely nothing to do with SDTV (420i) vs. HDTV (720p or 1080i). All HDTVs, as far as I know, and some newer SDTVs as well, employ digital tuners that will work after the switch. They too will still work with cable just as they do now. SDTVs with digital tuners will still receive over the air signals.
The tuner boxes, however, are really quite a treat, particularly in urban areas where ghosts and snow make television only marginally watchable. Perfect pictures are the norm with digital tuners even on the weakest stations, including some that you could only see through a blizzard of snow and hardly hear at all through the static, although the very weakest stations (I live in Orlando and I receive some over the air through my digital tuner and the rabbit ears that came with the TV that I didn't even know were there) will break up into pixels until you adjust the antenna just right (and sometimes they are so weak that they break up anyhow).
The picture quality through the digital tuner is startlingly vivid and rock-steady with anything approaching a decent signal strength, and there are additional channels available that no analog tuner can decipher. For example, our NBC affiliate here broadcasts on channel 2. It has an HDTV feed on channel 2.1, another channel on 2.2, and all weather all the time on 2.3. The other broadcast channels also have numerous sub-channels, particularly the public television stations that often carry fine programming.
The converter box I bought, however, DOES NOT WORK with cable at all, although the sub-channels are also sent through by my cable provider (Bright House) and my television with a digital tuner is capable of picking them up without going through the cable set-top box receiver. An analog tuner will not be able to tune into these channels after the switch, just as they cannot tune into them now. The converter boxes are ONLY for over-the-air reception. Cable uses different frequencies even for analog feeds, and my converter box does not have a setting (as my televisions do) to switch the tuner between TV antenna and cable.
Get them if you get (or want) your TV over the air. Even now they provide quite enough of an improvement in picture quality to be worth their low cost (after that $40 coupon).
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=293451&messageID=2764184#2764184
Submitted by Dr. Planarian
For any additional information on the digital TV transition please visit https://www.dtv2009.gov/
So
by thebug - 5/10/08 10:48 AM In reply to: Some great member answers to get you started on the topic. by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
What do the poor people do? No more tv for them? Doesn't seem fair. Their people too, just poor.
Poor people who get over-the-air via antenna TV
by KeithHarmon - 5/14/08 12:36 PM In reply to: So by thebugThese poor folks will have to get a $40 off coupon to buy a $49 converter box, which will cost them about $12.50 including 5% state tax. Double that to $25 if they have two TVs. I hope that I find someone in that category, as I would happily give them one of my two converter boxes and even go over and install it for them.
On the other hand, one of the things that might be keeping them poor is that $150/mo cable bill that feeds the two big screens that they are paying another $150/mo on their maxed out credit card for. Those in the latter category won't be affected by the change.
Poor people and OTA TV
by hikergirl - 5/14/08 5:53 PM In reply to: Poor people who get over-the-air via antenna TV by KeithHarmonKeith: Now, now. There really are poor people out there who do not have anything more than basics. And then there are those without basics. My primary TV came from Daddy after some "doctor" killed him. There is a small one downstairs. In any event, I obtained 2 converter boxes (Magnavox from Wal-Mart), which cost me $22 for both with tax. Already there is one going back for exchange (just Monday, I couldn't watch a.m. news due to 98% of picture/audio break-up and that it had shut itself off 3 times. When I switched to the other box, immediately there was no break-up.)
But, back to the poor: my almost 12-year old car is still going strong, although, at this time, just sitting due to the price of gas. And, just try finding employment when you have been fired due to health and employer ensured you never work again. Thank God for a great doc who diagnosed a rare health condition and a great work history/income that gives me good SSDI.
So, be nice. You never know if you might end up in "poor" shoes.
re: hikergirl's response
by gmclam - 5/14/08 6:24 PM In reply to: Poor people and OTA TV by hikergirlhikergirl, you are pretty much on target. Thanks.
I've heard of people who OWN multiple homes and therefore are getting 2 $40 coupons for each of their addresses. I was denied a coupon because I use a P.O. box for my mail. Elderly who live in nursing homes/etc have also not been eligible for coupons, although the NTIA is working to correct that.
I've been following the digital transition since before it started. I've also been following the discussions regarding coupons. While there was an attempt to make the program available to those who truly need it, it is not working. Original ideas include only providing the coupons to people who do not subscribe to cable or DSS. But then they need converters for their Tvs in the kitchen, garage or RV; so everyone was allowed to get one.
Then there are those who NEED a coupon (can't afford the converter otherwise) and acquire a box and have no idea of how to hook it up or what to do when it does not work. In order for the transition to be totally successful, a lot of us are going to have to contribute our time and expertise.
I got two coupons
by KeithHarmon - 5/14/08 8:41 PM In reply to: re: hikergirl's response by gmclam...by mistake. I thought it didn't go through the first time on the web site. As I stated in my first post, I would be happy to pass along one to someone in need, and if they live in the DC metro area, I will help them install. I have two analog TVs hooked up to my antenna, and wanted to see how a converter box worked (especially to know what to say to people who asked about them). Hikergirl: I do recognize that there are those that are in need. I've had the nightly PB&J dinner for a period of time in my life, though now I do count my blessings. TheBug: I'm sure that for each person you have heard that has several houses with multiple coupons for each, there is a story similar to the cable bill as a large portion of a small budget that I outlined.
HOWEVER, the point is that most folks have been captured by the cable company, and for the DTV OTA (Digital TV, Over The Air) transition, they are better off for it. For the rest, Congress and the Feds are trying to make it easier, it's just that the government only can do up to a point. They do kinda suck at helping people, despite the best of intentions. I asked a random coworker whether (want what) she knew about the DTV transition - and she replied that her four TVs hooked up to cable will be OK, but the other 5 that have rabbit ears... well, she only got two coupons. Perhaps the good news is that if you got a coupon and then got a working converter box, the Habitat for Humanity donation ReStore has plenty of used analog TVs for cheap! Sorry for the collection of pretty much random thoughts in this post.
cable box? antenna?
by angelikastyl - 6/11/08 11:05 AM In reply to: I got two coupons by KeithHarmonI'm sorry. You all have gone into painstaking detail; I still don't get it. I guess what confuses me is that there are actually people out there that can still get cable through an antenna, seriously, I thought that went out with the 70s.
Personally, my cable provider (and internet) is comcast. We do not have a cable box in the apartment. It's just all cables. Then, for further confusion, I've been "hearing" that even though all this information is out there, it's still varies according to your cable company. Now, call me suspicious, but, 'course they're going to tell you that you need and box, and to buy theirs.
Yesh, what to do?
Perplexed in SF
You won't have to buy -- for now
by cvmoreau - 6/11/08 11:57 AM In reply to: cable box? antenna? by angelikastylThe cable companies are going to be required to convert basic cable service to analog signals for older sets until 2012, OR they'll have to furnish a free box to convert to analog for those same sets if they want to go all digital on their wire. So, at least for several more years you should be okay.
"Cable over antenna?" If not satellite, then perhaps you mean via microwave. Theire used to be quite a number of microwave "wireless cable" systems around, but, in the U.S., at least, they've all pretty much disappeared. This is the only kind of over-the-air premium service that I'm aware of.
cable
by angelikastyl - 6/11/08 12:57 PM In reply to: cable box? antenna? by angelikastylOMG! I've never heard of another defined date of 2012.
Thanks for some clarification, though.
So that's the story Verizion misstated
by bdsolomon - 6/11/08 1:09 PM In reply to: cable by angelikastylI think that's the information Verizon (FIOS TV) misreported to me. They told me that in addition to the 2009 "over the air" mandate, there was another mandate for cable. They CLAIMED that they had to stop transmitting analog, and were just doing it earlier than required. It made no sense to me that they should be prevented from sending analog over THEIR pipe.
On the other hand, THIS makes sense. They are required to remain compatible with existing TV's, and the feds don't have to subsidize converter boxes, for cable subscribers. AND, if they want to stop transmitting analog sooner, then they have to spring for boxes for their customers. Which is what Verizon did.
It does cost functionality, since you can't have cable ready boxes switch channels, but that would be lost without cable too. And it also costs you the time signal and some forms of TV listings, but from what I understand, that's going to stop when the PBS stations go digital-only anyway, so it's only costing about 1/2 year.
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