If you use an antenna to watch free, over-the-air television on an analog TV set – and don’t subscribe to a pay TV service – then you will be affected by the transition. If you pay for TV services, such as cable or satellite, then you will not need to upgrade.
Is Your TV a DTV?
If your current TV has a “digital tuner” built in, then it is already configured to receive and display the new digital over-the-air TV signals.
If you do not see your TV in the list above, you most likely do not have a digital tuner. To continue enjoying over-the-air TV after June 12, 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 $40 – 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning in February 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.
- 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.
Think you might have a DTV not listed above? Below are some guidelines that can help you determine this:
- Consult your owner’s manual. If that’s not possible, you may be able to look up information about your TV set on the manufacturer’s website. Or, you can take an up-close look at your TV set. You are trying to find out if your set has an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is developing the DTV format).
- If you bought your TV set before 1998, it probably doesn’t have a digital tuner at all. Almost every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional “analog” set that can’t display digital TV signals without either a special converter or a cable TV connection. If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it’s possible there’s a built-in digital tuner inside. But chances aren’t great. Only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
- If you’ve purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores have featured digital tuners that will let you receive the new digital over-the-air broadcasts starting in February 2009. But be wary: It’s not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these sets have been advertised as “HD-ready” or “HDTV monitor” sets. That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place. You’ll still need a special converter or a cable TV connection.
Antenna on Analog TV
If you watch free broadcast television using an antenna on a TV set that has an analog tuner – and don’t subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service – you will be affected by the transition.* You can upgrade to DTV by taking one of three steps:
- Purchase a DTV converter box.
- Purchase a digital TV set
- Subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service
After installing your converter box, you will need to rescan (also known as “auto-tune”) for new channels to make sure you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area.
* Low-power TV stations may remain in analog after June 12, 2009. Watching analog programming may require specific equipment.
Antenna on Digital TV
If your TV set has a built-in digital tuner, then you will continue to receive free programming after the transition.
To determine if your TV set has a built-in digital tuner, look on the set for an indication of an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner or ask the TV manufacturer.
After installing your digital TV set, you will need to rescan (also known as “auto-tune”) for new channels to make sure you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area.
Cable Television
If all of your TV sets are connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service, you should not be affected by the transition. But any sets not connected to a pay TV service—perhaps in a bedroom or kitchen—will need to be upgraded before the transition.
Satellite Service
If all of your TV sets are connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service should not be affected by the transition. But any sets not connected to a pay TV service—perhaps in a bedroom or kitchen—will need to be upgraded.
However, satellite companies in some areas may not provide or may charge extra for local television channels. If you receive local stations using an antenna, your TV set may need to be upgraded with a converter box if it does not have a built-in digital tuner.