Step 2: How can I watch TV in digital?

Snapshot:

• If you watch your local TV stations with an ANTENNA, you need to find out what you can do to watch the local DIGITAL channels.

• If you have a SUBSCRIPTION TV service like CABLE TV or SATELLITE TV, you probably don't need to do anything.

• If your TV has a "DIGITAL" or "ATSC" tuner, you can watch DIGITAL TV channels right now, using an ANTENNA.

• You can buy a DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX to receive DIGITAL channels and feed the signal to your ANALOG TV.

• The U.S. government is providing $40 coupons to be used for the purchase of eligible CONVERTER BOXES.

• Or, you can purchase a new, DIGITAL TV to watch DIGITAL TV channels with an ANTENNA. 

Local FULL POWER TV stations in the United States will turn off their traditional ANALOG TV channel in early 2009 and continue broadcasting their DIGITAL TV channel only. 

We'll help you figure out how you will be affected and how you can watch your local TV stations in DIGITAL.

There are basically four ways to make sure you can watch local DIGITAL TV channels. To review them, think of one TV set that you use.  It can be in a living room, family room, den, bedroom, kitchen, office, or anywhere.  

Now think about how that TV gets the signals for the TV channels you watch on it.

First, is that TV connected to a service where you pay a monthly fee or subscription to get the TV channels?  This includes cable TV service (like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, or Cox), satellite TV service (like DIRECTV or Dish Network), or TV from a telephone or communications company (like Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-Verse, SureWest).   

If so, you probably don't have to do anything.  Nearly all subscription TV services have said they will continue to provide the same ANALOG signals to your TVs that they send today, even after broadcast TV goes DIGITAL in 2009.  Look for information from those companies this year explaining how they will continue to provide ANALOG TV signals. Also, if you're getting the level of cable TV service called "analog cable," you do not have to change to "digital cable." 

Second, did you buy that TV set in the last few years?  If so, it might have a DIGITAL TUNER.  This is also called an ATSC tuner or a DIGITAL-AIR tuner.  Check your TV owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for your TV model number. 

If you do have a DIGITAL TUNER, you can start watching DIGITAL TV, in addition to traditional analog TV, right now, by setting up an antenna.  And you can be watching DIGITAL TV before television goes ALL-DIGITAL in 2009. 

Third, if that TV is not connected to a subscription service, and it does not have a DIGITAL TUNER, you can still use it to watch DIGITAL TV. How?  You use a DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX.  A DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX receives DIGITAL TV signals and converts them to ANALOG TV signals that your TV can understand.  You plug the converter into your older TV, and then you can watch the new DIGITAL channels on your older TV.   

DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOXES (also called just CONVERTERS) are small and sleek, and have many convenient features including tuning on the TV screen, remote control, and easy to use closed-captioning and parental viewing restrictions that can be set.  Standard models cost between $40 to $70.  More expensive models include extra features like DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDERS (DVRs).  Check the "DIGITAL TV CONVERTERS" section of this website or click here. 

And here's good news: to help Americans buy DIGITAL CONVERTERS, Congress has created a CONVERTER COUPON PROGRAM.  From now through March of 2009, each U.S. household can request one or two converter coupons worth $40 each.  Each $40 coupon can be used toward the purchase of one certified digital TV converter at a retailer that is participating in the converter coupon program. 

To find out more about the CONVERTER COUPON PROGRAM and how to request coupons, choose "CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM" on this website or click here.

While you can watch digital TV stations with a DIGITAL TV CONVERTER, you won't see them in HIGH DEFINITION (HDTV) quality on your analog TV.  And WIDESCREEN programs will be reduced in size to fit on your older TV screen.  This may leave blank bars on the top and bottom of the picture, and sometimes on the picture sides.

Fourth, if you don't have cable TV or satellite TV, a digital tuner, or a digital converter - why not buy a new digital TV this year?  You can get a slim, widescreen, high definition, digital TV.  There are many choices of size, display and price, including models starting at just several hundred dollars.  See the section "BUYING A NEW TV" or click here.

If a new digital TV is your choice, make sure you get value out of your older TV.  You can use it as a video monitor, donate it to an organization that would be happy to have it, or recycle it through your TV store or a recycling service.  For more information on using older TVs, click here.  For information on donating or recycling a TV, click here.

Now, once you've got a DIGITAL TV or  DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX, you can use a TV ANTENNA to watch your local TV stations, with digital quality, for free.  Go to Step 3 to learn more about using a TV ANTENNA. 

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CAPITALIZED WORDS are defined in the Digital TV Glossary.