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Fast Facts | Frequently Asked Questions
By law, all American Television stations must switch from analog to digital broadcasting by February 17, 2009. Digital Television is a more efficient way to broadcast television. It offers movie-quality pictures and sound and more channels.
Through new digital broadcasting capabilities, WHYY is now able to further fulfill its mission to deliver essential educational and quality television programs and value added services to enrich the quality of life for our viewers. In addition to WHYY’s analog channel, WHYY now has an Arts and Culture Channel and a Wider Horizons channel with even more in-depth programming that offers something for everyone.
Digital Television is a new way for you to watch TV. In a digital system, images and sound are transmitted using the same digital code used by computers. The digital revolution not only dramatically improves the quality of the television picture, but makes it easier for WHYY to send information. Television stations’ signals can be compressed to squeeze more data into transmissions without losing any picture or sound detail. DTV allows WHYY to share both educational and cultural resources by broadcasting different programs on different channels.
FAST FACTS
What You Need to Know
Digital television (DTV) is a new broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV offers movie-quality picture and sound. It also offers multiple programming choices. It is a more efficient, flexible technology that most countries already use.
By federal mandate, all U.S. TV stations must broadcast in digital and turn off their analog services. The government will auction off the broadcast spectrum space currently used by analog channels for telecommunications services such as public safety and advanced wireless communications.
The Transition to Digital TV
U.S. TV stations, including WHYY, are already airing digital television programming. Most stations, including WHYY, will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. That is the date after which, as Congress has decided, full-power TV stations must stop broadcasting on their current analog channels.
The New Digital TV Sets
There are several varieties -- LCD, plasma and rear-projection. Each type has its pros and cons. There is detailed information available from Consumer Reports (March 2007) and other magazines, and there is a wealth of information online.
You Can Still Use Your Old TV
If you get your TV by cable or satellite, ask your provider about what equipment you’ll need. If you get your TV free over the air by antenna, using an outside antenna or rabbit ears and an older analog TV set, you will need a digital-to-analog set-top converter box connected to each analog TV in your house. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them so they display on analog TVs. You won’t see full digital quality on an analog TV, but you’ll still get the programming you had been receiving, along with new channels. You may be able to see programs in wide screen format on your analog TV. Check the screen format set-up menu on your TV.
You Probably Don’t Need a New Antenna
In general, if you’re an antenna viewer, you can continue to use your current rooftop or indoor antenna to bring in a digital signal.
If You Get Your TV By Antenna, Be Ready
Conventional analog TV goes away Feb. 17, 2009. We don’t want you to miss any of your favorite programs on WHYY or any other local TV stations. After Feb. 17, 2009, antenna viewers will need either a digital TV set or a converter box connected to their older TV sets in order to receive a television signal. Converter boxes are available now, and they will be much more widely available in 2008.
Converter Box Coupon Program
The federal government is sponsoring a coupon program that will help antenna viewers with analog TV sets to purchase converter boxes. Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of up to two set-top converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.
Cable and Satellite TV Viewers
Cable and satellite companies will take care of providing their customers the equipment to receive digital signals on either analog or digital TV sets. You can ask your provider for details.
Buyer Beware
All new TVs sold in the U.S. must include digital tuners. However, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. The FCC requires them to display a consumer alert that TVs with analog-only tuners will require a converter box to receive over-the-air digital broadcasts. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the switch to digital television?
Analog has been used to transmit TV signals since the medium was invented. Legislation passed by Congress in 2005 requires that all TV stations in the U.S. convert their broadcast signals from analog to digital by February 17, 2009. More than 90 percent of all U.S. stations, including WHYY, already broadcast a digital signal.
How will this affect me?
If you watch an older analog-only TV and use an antenna or rabbit ears to receive over-the-air signals, you will need to make a change to continue watching television after February 17, 2009. If you already have a TV with a digital tuner, or have cable or satellite service, your television reception will continue uninterrupted.
How do I tell if my TV set is analog or digital?
If your TV is several years old, most likely it is not digital. If you’re in doubt, check your owner’s manual to see if it mentions a digital tuner, or look on the set for an indication of an ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) or QAM tuner. If it has one, your set can process a digital signal and you’ve already made the digital switch. You can also check the manufacturer’s website for full details about your particular model. If there’s no mention of digital or QAM or ATSC, then you have an analog set, and you have a switch to make.
What should I do?
For many WHYY viewers, there is a simple and inexpensive solution to make the switch. A one-time purchase of a set-top converter box will allow your analog TV to properly display an incoming digital broadcast. After a simple initial setup, your viewing will continue just as before, except you’ll have more WHYY channels to choose from. Converter boxes are expected to cost between $50 and $70. In early 2008, the government will offer $40 rebate coupons to all households bringing the actual cost to $30 or less. These coupons can only be used towards the purchase of converter boxes. The number of rebates will be limited, so apply early in 2008.
Do I have to buy a new TV?
No. If you buy a set-top converter box to work with your analog TV, there’s no need to buy a new TV unless you choose to.
What if I decide to buy a new TV?
If you want to update a new TV set, you’ll need to choose between a digital signal (standard-definition) and high definition (HDTV- with a superior picture). Although prices are coming down, high-definition TV’s will always be more expensive than simple digital sets. As long as you buy a digital TV with an ATSC or QAM digital tuner, you will be making the switch properly.
Is this switch necessary? Is digital really better?
There are many advantages to an all-digital broadcast system. Digital television (DTV) allows multiple programs to be broadcast simultaneously within the same bandwidth previously used for single analog programming. (Imagine a congested two-lane road that overnight could carry four times the traffic and be uncongested.) This means WHYY TV will be able to offer more channels, programs, schedule choices and variety to our viewers. Digital picture quality, sound and reception are usually superior; signals are less prone to interference and reception problems; and the picture is free of snow and “ghost” images. DTV will enable stations to transmit additional data services, including significantly improved closed captioning. Bandwidth will also be freed up for use by public agencies and emergency first responders.
What’s the difference between high-definition and digital TV?
High-definition television (HDTV) displays the highest quality digital TV pictures. While a standard digital picture consists of 480 horizontal lines on the screen, full HD uses 1,080 lines to compose a much more precisely tuned and beautifully detailed TV picture. (Think of the difference between newspaper photos and those in a glossy magazine.) An HD signal also includes Dolby digital surround sound, which offers a superior sound experience. The 2009 switch is merely from analog to digital, however, going from analog to HD is entirely optional.
Will my current cable or digital service continue to work?
You should be able to continue watching your existing TV with your current cable or satellite service, though some services may require the addition of, or a change in, your set-top box.
Will my antenna work with digital signals?
If your antenna provides a good incoming signal now, it should continue to work with a digital signal. You’ll still need to add a converter box or invest in a digital TV.
Will my existing VCR, DVD player or camcorder continue to work?
They should continue to function properly in analog with your converter, and in standard definition digital, but if you’re recording from high-definition digital, the resulting copy will only be in standard definition. Very few VCRs have digital tuners, so if you use a VCR to receive your signal, you will probably need to use a set top converter box. To be sure, check the manual for your device, or contact the manufacturer or the place of purchase.
I've recently switched to HD and have noticed pixillation and dropouts in WHYY's HD signal. Are there any issues that may be causing this problem?
WHYY-DT is not operating at full power level at this time. The lower power level is creating the difficulty in reception that you described. We are currently in transition to a much greater power level that will be equal to the other digital broadcast stations. This work will be completed when analog TV broadcasting ends at midnight on February 17, 2009. We apologize for the inconvenience during this transition period. Since reception is possible (although not stable) at your location, optimizing antenna positioning and perhaps the addition of an antenna pre-amplifier may improve your reception.
There are two techniques right now to maintain analog reception (1) purchase a converter box with the "analog pass-through" feature. Only 7 available (see NTIA list at www.dtv2009.gov (2) add a cable combiner between the box and the TV antenna input. I have a drawing showing this configuration. In 2 months all Zenith boxes and many other will have pass through capability.
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