Are You Ready for the Analog Television Broadcasting Cutoff?

On February 17, 2009, all over-the-air analog television transmission signals on channels 2-13 and 14-69 in the U.S. will come to an end…at least that is the current plan approved by the U.S. Government, via the Congress and the FCC. Yes, the Federal Government is requiring all television broadcasters and television viewers to convert from analog to digital by a specified date. What Does This Mean For The U.S. Television Viewer?

For those residing in the U.S. that own analog televisions or HDTVs equipped only with standard NTSC tuners, and receive their television programs over-the-air via an antenna, this means that those television owners will not be able to receive analog over-the-air television transmissions after the cutoff date.

What Can Television Viewers Do?

There are several ways to prepare for this event:
1. Buy a new television before that date that has a built-in ATSC tuner. This tuner will allow you to receive over-the-air programming from stations broadcasting television signals in one of several digital broadcasting formats. All Televisions, 27-inches and up, that currently come with analog NTSC tuners, must also now include a digital ATSC tuner as well. You will see the number of models available increasing substantially in 2007 and 2008. 2. Buy a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (similar to a cable box) that will convert the new digital television signals to an analog signal that can still be accepted by your current television. However, keep in mind that you will need a separate box for every television in your household that has an analog NTSC tuner, unless you don’t mind watching the same channel at the same time on all of them.

NOTE: In both of the above options, you can still use the same antenna you are using now, if it is in good working order, especially if it is an expensive or large outdoor model. There is no requirement that you have purchase a special “HDTV” antenna. If your current antenna delivers good reception with your current analog channels, it should do fine with the digital signals as well.

3. Subscribe to a Cable TV or Satellite TV service. Since Cable TV and Satellite Boxes (even the newer digital and HD boxes) all include provisions for digital-to-analog signal conversion for use with analog televisions, if you are either a current subscriber, or sign up before the cutoff date, your television viewing will not be interrupted on televisions that the Cable or Satellite Box is connected to.

With regards to cable subscribers that currently do not have a need for a box for basic analog cable; the cable companies are not required to discontinue this service, unless they wish to. In this case, you may eventually have to use a cable box supplied by your cable provider.

However, keep in mind that the trend towards digital-only cable is going forward anyway, irrespective of the analog over-the-air TV cutoff date, and is not a goverment requirement. This means that cable companies can continue to offer both analog and digital cable services, or switch to all-digital service at their own pace.

Also, a growing number of new HDTVs are being equipped with what is known as QAM, or Clear-QAM, tuners. These tuners allow direct reception of basic unscrambled subscription digital cable channels that are not a part of pay-per-view or premium cable services.

Don’t Forget Your VCR and/or DVD Recorder

Since VCRs and DVD recorders also have built-in analog NTSC tuners, they are also subject to the effects of the analog cut-off date. However, this is only if your VCR and DVD recorder receives television signals over-the-air. In which case, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box for each VCR or DVD recorder in your household - or each VCR or DVD recorder and Television pair.

In other words, you can connect a digital-to-analog converter box to your VCR or DVD recorder, then route the signal from there to your TV, much the same way many do with Cable or Satellite Boxes. Starting in 2007, DVD recorders will start to be equipped with ATSC tuners.

How Much is This All Going To Cost?

No one really knows for sure how much the conversion will actually coast consumers as a whole, but it is expected that converter boxes will end up being much less than $100 each and the Federal Government is also kicking in a subsidy for each household to help defray converter box expense.

A portion of the money raised by auctioning off the no-longer used analog television broadcast spectrum is planned to pay for the subsidy program - provided politicians don’t steal the money like they do from Social Security, Federal Highway funds, and other designated trust funds. The subsidy program is supposed to work like this: Starting January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, the Feds will offer “coupons” that will probably work like rebates.

The coupons are good for up to two converters per household - with each converter coupon worth $40. So, if converters end up costing $40 - $50 a piece, the average consumer will be in good shape. However, if the converters are between $60-$100 each, there may be a lot of upset viewers out there ready to march on Washington.

The Final Word, For Now…

February 17, 2009 will be here faster than you think; be prepared. According to a recent study conducted by The Association of Public Television Stations, and reported by TV Predictions, most consumers are totally unaware of the Analog Television Broadcasting cutt-off date.

If you have an old television on its last legs or purchase your last Television about 7-10 years ago, think about getting a new one by 2009. One tip: Prices are not only getting a less every year, but you will be able to hang your new TV on the wall, if you want, as new CRT sets are being phased almost completely after 2007. Lastly, if you are on Cable or Satellite, and you are not sure how the analog-to-digital conversion will actually affect you, don’t hesitate to contact technical support for your service for any updated information.

Good Luck, and Happy Television Viewing!

For official government information on the analog-to-digital television transmission conversion, including the “coupon” program, and other essential details, go to www.DTV.gov