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What does "Going Digital" mean?
On February 17, 2009, television will undergo the biggest change since 1950 when color was introduced! All television stations will switch to digital signals. Most stations are currently broadcasting in both formats - digital and analog. The viewers with older analog sets are currently enjoying the programming that they have become used to, and viewers with digital are enjoying better picture quality. Analog TVs receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format. The government is providing $40 coupons to those who need to buy a converter box and you can apply at www.dtv2009.gov

How do I prepare for the transition?
If you have a television that receives free over-the-air programming (with "rabbit ears" on the TV or a rooftop antenna), most likely you will have an analog set. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to enjoy the programming you have become accustomed to. Analog TV owners will need an analog-to-digital converter box to watch broadcast television on that set.

The government is trying to help subsidize people by giving them coupons worth $40 each for up to two converters. They will be available from January 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009, and will probably work through rebates. Manufacturers estimate this converter box will sell between $50 and $70 each. This will be a one time cost.

Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009 cut-off date for full power analog broadcasting.

Why are we going digital?
The Federal Communications Commission states that digital television broadcast technology "is more flexible and efficient than the current analog system." As an example, the FCC cites the possibilities presented by what it calls "multicasting," a method that will allow digital television to provide both high-definition and standard-definition signals simultaneously. Finally, the conversion to digital is expected to free up parts of the broadcast system to be used for public services like police, fire departments, and emergency rescue services.

How do I know if I have a digital television?
Digital television equipment should have markings or labels to indicate they contain digital tuners. Perhaps this statement resides in the informational material included with the TV. This information should contain the words "Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Tuner Built-In," "Digital Receiver," "Digital Tuner," "DTV," "ATSC," or "HDTV." You should be able to view over-the-air programming if your equipment contains any of these labels or markings.

If your television holds the labels or markings as "analog" or "NTSC" and is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it is analog only.

You can certainly test your equipment by contacting your local broadcast stations to learn what channels are currently broadcasting digital signals. You should then ensure that your television is set up to receive over-the-air programming (not connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service), and then tune to the over-the-air digital channels to see if your set can receive the digital broadcast programming.