Digital TV Transition & What it Means For You
Congress has mandated that by February 17, 2009 TV broadcast stations in the United States (e.g. ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, Fox, Univision, PBS) must turn off their analog channels and complete the technical transition to all-digital broadcasting.
If you are a Baja Broadband customer, we've got you covered. We've upgraded our network and we're fully prepared for the switch on February 17, 2009. Customers connected to the Baja network will continue to watch their favorite channels without interruption. The switch to all-digital on February 17, 2009 only impacts viewers who currently use an antenna (i.e., rabbit ears or rooftop antenna) to access local broadcast stations or subscribe to some multichannel video providers.
What is the digital TV transition?
The phrase "Digital TV Transition" refers to the time period during which broadcasters are making the switch from analog to digital broadcasting. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 granted broadcasters an additional 6 megahertz of spectrum to make the transition from analog to digital TV, so that analog spectrum could eventually be returned to the government for use by public safety and other services. Congress’ legislation ensures the transition is completed by February 17, 2009, at which time broadcasters must return their analog spectrum and begin broadcasting in the digital format only.TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed by the government and put to other uses. If you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations but TVs accessing "pay" television service through Baja Broadband won’t be affected by the switch.
Why is the Government making this change?
There are several reasons why this change is being required.• First, by making this change the nation's TV broadcasting system will reduce the amount of signal spectrum used. Some of the freed up capacity will be made available to first-responders (such as local fire and police departments) and will enhance the way they react to emergencies, resulting in a significant increase to public safety for all Americans.
• Second, extra spectrum will be auctioned off to private companies for future wireless services. Additionally, the change will allow full power TV stations to send clearer signals through the air, which in turn increases the quality of your picture and sound.
When will the DTV transition be complete?
TV stations serving all markets in the United States are currently airing digital TV programming, although most will continue to provide analog programming through the deadline -- February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed by the government and put to other uses.Why can't we have both DTV and the TV system we have currently?
Broadcast and wireless services depend on the use of the airwaves. DTV technology is much more efficient than the current analog technology and will allow the broadcast of more program content using less broadcast spectrum. Transitioning to digital broadcasting will make resources available for public safety and other new and innovative services for American consumers.How will I be affected by the Digital Transition?
If you are a Baja Broadband customer, a analog TV set connected to Baja's network will continue to work as it always has. All Baja Broadband customers will be able to watch these stations on any TV hooked up to Baja cable. Non-cable customers can subscribe to Baja service or obtain a digital-to-analog converter box from many retail outlets beginning in mid-February 2008. If you receive your television service via an antenna or some other multichannel video service, a set-top converter box can be used to receive broadcast DTV signals and change them into the format of your current television.Will I need a new TV?
If you are a Baja Broadband customer, a analog TV set connected to Baja's network will continue to work as it always has. All Baja Broadband customers will be able to watch these stations on any TV hooked up to Baja cable. Non-cable customers can subscribe to Baja service or obtain a digital-to-analog converter box from many retail outlets beginning in mid-February 2008. If you receive your television service via an antenna or some other multichannel video service, a set-top converter box can be used to receive broadcast DTV signals and change them into the format of your current television.How do I get a set-top converter box for my analog television?
By early 2008, set-top converter boxes will be available for purchase at electronics retailers. The cost of the box is expected to range from $40-70.Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons for the converter boxes, which will be valued at $40 each. Coupons will be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service, and consumers will have approximately three months to redeem them. Consumers who wish to retain their analog television sets may also switch to a cable. Call Baja Broadband today for information about our great Cable packages.
I currently use an antenna to access local broadcast stations. What should I do?
The switch to all-digital broadcasting by February 17, 2009, impacts viewers who currently use an antenna (i.e., rabbit ears or rooftop antenna) to access local broadcast stations. To receive the signals after the transition, consumers have the following options:1. Subscribe to Baja Broadband and make sure all TVs in your home are connected to Baja.
2. Purchase a new TV with a built-in digital tuner. TVs with a built-in digital turner do not require a digital converter box to view broadcast signals. Make certain to check your TV owner's manual. TVs purchased after March 1, 2007 and those sold in recent years that are 25 inches or larger have digital tuners embedded so a separate converter is not needed to receive and display the over-the-air digital signals.
3. Purchase a converter box to use with an analog TV. The boxes, for use with older analog TV sets, will be available for purchase in retail locations in the first quarter of 2008. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.
I currently subscribe to Baja's Basic Cable service. Do I need to upgrade to Digital?
As long as your TV sets are connected to cable, local digital stations will be displayed along with the many other stations cable has to offer. However, if you choose to sign up for Digital Cable, you will enjoy all the benefits of digital TV, including more channel choices, and better quality picture and sound. Call you local Baja office today to learn more about our great Digital TV packages.What is the coupon program I have heard about and how does it work?
If you have an analog TV and choose not to connect your TV to Baja Broadband, you will need to purchase a converter box to use with your analog TV. The boxes, for use with older analog TV sets, will be available for purchase in retail locations in the first quarter of 2008. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The coupon voucher program is available via The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Consumers may call toll free 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) for information. Note: Coupon program details, frequently asked questions and a program brochure are online: www.dtvtransition.orgWhat should I do to prepare for the TV digital transition?
Preparing for the DTV transition is easy and requires one of three steps by February 17, 2009. Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.• Take an inventory of the TVs in your home. Even if you're a cable customer, you may have one or more TVs that aren't hooked up to cable. These secondary TVs are likely to be "analog" -- that is, they probably don't have the digital tuners that are featured in all of the "digital" TVs available today. Older TVs won't be able to tune in the digital signals that stations will start broadcasting in February 2009. Your older TVs will still work if connected to the Baja network.
• Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner. Or simply connect your new television set with a built-in tuner to the Baja network.
• Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 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.
• Call Baja Broadband at 1-877-422-5282 for information about our great Cable packages.How do I know my TV is digital-ready?
Typically, TVs purchased in the last few years that are 25 inches or larger have digital tuners embedded so a separate converter is not needed to receive and display the over-the-air digital signals. Check your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to be certain. Here are some general guidelines:• If you bought your TV set before 1998, it probably doesn't have a digital tuner.
• 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 TVs (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
• If you've purchased a new TV since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TVs 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 aware: It's not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TVs are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these TVs have been advertised as "HD-ready" or "HDTV monitors." 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.
How will Digital TV (DTV) enhance my viewing experience?
The transition to broadcast Digital television (DTV) enables television stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. By transmitting the information used to make a TV picture and sound as "data bits" like a computer, television stations can also carry more information using digital broadcasting than is currently possible with analog broadcast technology. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously through "multicasting," instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. Digital technology also enables television stations to provide free, over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television sets. DTV technology can also be used for interactive video and data services, such as enhanced closed-captioning, that are not possible with traditional analog technology.An equally important, but often overlooked benefit of DTV is that it will free up scarce and variable spectrum for public safety and new wireless services. This is possible because the modern technology of DTV is more efficient than analog television technology, allowing for many new and critical uses of this very limited resource.
To learn more about the Digital Transition, please visit the following:
• www.DTVTransition.org
• www.NCTA.com
• www.DTV.gov
• www.GetReadyForDigitalTV.com
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