DTV Questions and Comments

DTV FAQ’s

What is digital television (DTV)?

Digital television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology that is transforming television as we know it. By transmitting information as “data bits” (like a computer) to create a TV set’s picture and sound, a digital broadcaster can carry far more information than what analog broadcast technology currently allows. The difference between analog and digital broadcasting is similar to that between compact discs and cassette tapes.

Digital TV offers a better viewing experience with vastly improved picture and sound quality. DTV is also more efficient than analog TV technology, so broadcasters will be able to produce additional channels of programming using digital broadcasting technology.

What is analog television?

Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting TV signals and has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog television service isn’t as efficient as DTV. It uses up much more valuable spectrum that—once the DTV transition is completed—will be used for other purposes. Remaining spectrum will be auctioned off for the production of new services.

How do I know whether my TV set is analog or digital?

Every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional “analog” television. If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, there is a chance it has a built-in digital tuner inside. Before 2004, only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (generally sets that are 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners.

If you bought a new TV set since 2004, there is a high likelihood that it has a built-in digital tuner.

Why is America switching to DTV?

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for other services. Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies, so they can provide consumers with more advanced wireless services, such as wireless broadband.

Consumers also benefit, because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality. Digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super-sharp “high definition” (HD) digital program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.”

What is multicasting?

Using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program, multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time. For example, a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program. However, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers a digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means viewers get more programming choices.

Can I keep my older analog TV set?

Yes. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV set to watch over-the-air digital programming. If your analog set is hooked up to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV, it should continue to function as before. Analog sets should also continue working with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products that you use now.

How do I install a TV converter box?

Depending on your TV, converter boxes plug into either the back or front of the set. You will still need an antenna, which works with the TV converter box. Each TV converter box comes with installation instructions from the manufacturer.

Does someone have to come to my home to install the converter box?

No, you should be able to install the converter box yourself using the instructions provided by the manufacturer. For specific questions, call the manufacturer’s technical support hotline or ask your local retailer.

Do I need to purchase a TV converter box that is the same brand as my TV?

No, the brand of converter box can be different from that of your TV set.

Can I hook up more than one TV set and video recorder to a single digital-to-analog converter box?

No, you will need one digital-to-analog converter box for each TV set or other device (such as a VCR) that only has an analog tuner.

Will I receive closed captioning through a converter box?

Yes. Coupon-eligible converter box manufacturers are required to provide closed captioning for display on your television, but the features provided vary by box. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has produced a guide that lists selected features, including closed captioning, for a number of converter boxes. The guide is updated periodically as new converter boxes become available.

After plugging in my converter box, I see black or gray bars on the sides or all the way around my picture. Why doesn’t the picture fill up the TV screen?

Simply put, your converter box may be having trouble determining the shape of the picture and how to best display it on your existing TV set. Traditional analog TV sets have a square-shaped screen, and some digital programming is still being produced in this shape, which should fill the screen on your TV. However, many digital programs are now produced with widescreen pictures intended for viewing on digital TV sets with wider screens. It is due to these differences in picture shape that creates bars around your picture.

You can remove or reduce the size of the bars by using a button on the converter box remote control that changes the way a picture is displayed. Find the button marked “zoom” or “aspect ratio,” and keep pressing it until the picture looks right. You may need to change the setting for different programs. Please note that widescreen programs are meant to have bars on the top and bottom when viewed on a square-shaped screen, but no programs should have bars all the way around the picture.

Will I still need an antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?

Yes, you will still need an antenna to continue watching free, over-the-air television after the digital transition. In general, the same type of antenna that gives you good quality analog TV signals now will also provide reliable DTV reception.

I don’t have an antenna. Will I still get reception after the transition?

Antennas can be either indoor or outdoor. If you live in a home or apartment building, there may be an antenna on the roof or a master antenna distribution system to the building residents. If you subscribe to a cable or satellite service you will continue getting reception as usual. However, if you don’t subscribe to a pay TV service, then you are actually using an antenna but may not know it.

Do I need to buy a new antenna?

Some television stations will be moving to a different channel in a different frequency band, which may require you to get another type of antenna from the one you use now. For example, some channels in the VHF band (Channels 2-13) may move to the UHF band (Channels 14-51) and vice versa. Receiving VHF and UHF signals require different types of antenna elements. Many antennas are designed as combo units and will receive both VHF and UHF signals.

What do VHF and UHF stand for?

The Very High Frequency (VHF) band is the segment of the television broadcast band covering channels 2 through 13. The Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band is the segment of the television broadcast band covering channels 14 through 69.

Are all digital stations on UHF channels?

Currently, the vast majority of TV stations broadcasting in digital are using UHF (14 and up) channels to do so. However, this is not due to any technical requirement of digital broadcasting. It is because the UHF channels were more likely to be available in most television markets. When the digital transition is completed and TV stations no longer broadcast in analog, a significant number of stations plan to switch and use their current analog VHF channels for digital instead.

After plugging in the converter box, I lost reception. Why did this happen?

If you hook up the box and lose signals from full-power stations, the problem is most likely with your antenna. Because some stations broadcast in analog in the VHF band, a simple VHF antenna—like rabbit ears—can pick up the signals. However, if the stations’ digital signals are in the UHF band, then rabbit-ear antennas won’t be able to pick them up. You will need a VHF/UHF antenna (rabbit ears plus a loop antenna) to pick up both digital and analog signals. Depending on where you live and where your TV set is in your house, you may need an outdoor antenna.

Will I have to discard my older analog television?

No. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV set to watch over-the-air digital programming. If your analog set is hooked up to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV, it should continue to function as before. Analog sets should also continue working with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products that you use now.

I have a handheld or battery-powered TV. Can I connect it to a TV converter box?

If your portable analog TV set has an available RF or Line input jack, it can be connected to a DTV converter box to continue receiving television signals after the transition. Currently, there is at least one battery-powered converter box available now. The manufacturer, Winegard, offers a battery pack for use with its converter box model.

Will my VCR or DVD player still work after I plug a converter box into my TV?

Yes. However, after the digital transition, the analog tuner in your VCR will not be able to pick up over-the-air programs for recording. Instead, the input to the VCR must be connected to the output of the DTV converter box. You must set the converter box tuner to the channel you want to record prior to the start of the timed recording programmed in the VCR.

Will I receive high definition TV (HDTV) with a converter box?

With a converter box, you will be able to watch HDTV programs, but not with HDTV quality. Although analog TV sets cannot display high definition resolution, your picture will generally improve with a TV converter box. If you want to view true high definition TV, then you will need a newer TV set rated for high definition resolution.

If I want a new TV set, do I have to buy a high definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcasting television after the transition?

No. It is important to understand that the deadline refers to the end of analog broadcasting and the beginning of all-digital broadcasting. All new television sets will be able to receive and decode all formats of digital television, although you will need an HDTV set to watch programs that are broadcast in HDTV with full high definition quality. A standard definition digital TV (a TV set with an internal digital tuner), or a digital-to-analog converter box connected to an analog TV set, is all you need to continue watching over-the-air broadcast television programming.

Can I watch TV and record programs on my VCR at the same time?

Yes. If you want to watch and record one program simultaneously, you will only need one converter box. However, if you want to watch one program and record a different channel at the same time, you will need two converter boxes.

Each TV set or TV recording device, such as a VCR, that does not have a digital tuner must be connected to a DTV converter box to continue receiving broadcast signals.