What Do I Have To Do About Digital TV?

Snapshot:

• This year, figure out how the Digital TV Transition will affect you.

• For each TV you use, figure out where you get the signal for local TV stations.

• Use this website to see if you need to take action to watch local digital TV channels.

• If you understand the choices, be a Digital TV Trainer and help your friends and communities get ready for digital TV! 

This year, everyone who uses a TV in the U.S. needs to figure out how the Digital TV Transition will affect them.  Ask yourself these questions: 

1.  How is each TV that I use affected by the digital transition?  Make a list of all your TVs and write down where they get the local TV signals.  Think about TVs in your living areas, garage, basement, RV, storage area.  Include small portable TVs or emergency TVs. 

Then, include any TVs you are responsible for in public or commercial areas, such as in offices, restaurants, bars, waiting rooms, hospitals, or hotels.

2.  What do I need to do for each TV?    Read steps 1 through 4 on this website and watch the videos.  For each TV, use its local TV signal source to decide what you need to do.  Step 4 will help you decide. 

If you need to get a DIGITAL CONVERTER or a DIGITAL TV to watch digital channels, do it this year, as soon as it is practical.  Then you can start watching your local digital stations with quality digital TV pictures, new channels, and CD-quality sound, for free.  And you'll beat the rush on coupon requests and purchases of converters and antennas.

Here is a quick summary of your choices for each TV. 

How does the TV gets the local TV signals?

If the TV gets the signal from a connection to a SUBSCRIPTION TV service like CABLE TV, SATELLITE TV, or TELEPHONE COMPANY TV, you probably don't have to do anything right now.  CABLE TV and SATELLITE TV signals are not going to change next year.

If the TV has a DIGITAL TUNER (called an "ATSC" tuner), you should be able to start watching digital channels today, with an ANTENNA.  For information on using an ANTENNA to watch digital TV, click here.

If you want to watch digital channels on your existing TV, you can buy a "DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX."  The converter box receives digital channels and turns them into a signal your analog TV can use.  For more information on converter boxes, click here.  Converters cost between $40 and $70, but each U.S. household can request up to two free coupons from the government "TV Converter Box COUPON PROGRAM" worth $40 each, and each can be applied to the purchase of a converter.  For more information on the COUPON PROGRAM, click here.

Or, you can decide this year to buy a new digital TV! 

Be A Digital TV Trainer! 

Are you comfortable connecting electronic devices like TVs, audio systems, or iPODs?  Can you figure out how to install a CONVERTER BOX or an ANTENNA?  If so, help your relatives, friends, and community groups!  The biggest challenge of the DTV Transition is getting the word out to all U.S. TV viewers who use an antenna.  You can help! 

Think about relatives or friends of yours who watch TV OVER-THE-AIR.  Offer to help them decide what they need to do to watch local digital channels.  You can also offer to make presentations to community groups.  You can use the "DTV Town - your DTV choices on one page" form on this website to make handouts and discuss the digital TV decision process. 

If your friends want to purchase converters, tell them how they can request TV converter box coupons from the government.  Print and provide coupon request forms for them.  You can help them fill in the online form or make the request by phone.  To print the coupon order form, click here. 

When they get their coupon, you can help them purchase a converter box at a local electronics store or online.

Finally, you can help others install their converter boxes.  This can require moving TVs, moving antenna connections around, and even trying a new antenna.  Then the converter box needs to be set up and demonstrated to the new owners. 

The Digital TV Transition is a national event that touches all of us with TVs.  Sharing your knowledge will make it easier for all.

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CAPITALIZED WORDS are defined in the Digital TV Glossary.