Television is about to change.

According to federal law, full-power television stations must switch from the traditional method of broadcasting TV signals to a new digital format by February 17th, 2009. The new format, called DTV, is a new type of broadcasting technology that delivers movie-quality pictures and sound to your home. It also allows for more channels and even HDTV to be sent over the air.

The benefits of DTV are impressive, but switching over to the new format means that millions of households right losing their television reception unless a few simple steps are taken.

Why switch?
DTV is a more efficient technology and a dramatic improvement over the current analog system. The switch to a digital signal will allow for cleared pictures, better sound quality, and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress, full power television stations much turn off the analog transmission in February of 2009 and continue to broadcast exclusively in the DTV format. DTV is a more efficient standard which means that less “broadcast space” is needed. This frees up parts of the airwaves to be used for other uses.

Am I affected?
Any consumer who receives over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners – and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider – will be affected by the transition.

At least 19.6 million households receive over-the-air signals exclusively in their homes, and 14.9 million households have secondary over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens. Overall, nearly 70 million television sets are at risk of losing their signals on February 17, 2009, if consumers do not make the easy transition to DTV.

Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service:

• Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set;
  
• Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or
  
• Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.

How do I switch?
You can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of three simple steps:

• Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert
  the digital signal into analog for an existing television set.
  The DTV converter box, sometimes referred to as a set-top box, is an electronic device that makes the new digital signal viewable on an older “analog” television set. DTV converter boxes will be available for purchase in February of 2008, and are expected to cost between $40 and $70. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government will be offering up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households. Each coupon may be used toward the purchase of a single DTV converter box and the coupon program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) www.dtv2009.gov.
  You will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set. Your current antenna should work the same as before. For more information visit www.antennaweb.org..
  Click here to find out how to get your own converter box.
  
• Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.
  Another option you may choose is to upgrade to a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. As with older sets, you will need an over-the-air antenna www.antennaweb.org. that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog television signals to pick up free digital broadcast programming from local stations. Before deciding to purchase a new digital TV, you should make sure your current TV doesn’t already have a built-in digital tuner. Most sets sold in the last few years that are larger than 27 inches will likely have a digital tuner.

  To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number.

  Can I recycle my TV?
  Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit mygreenelectronics.com.

• Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company
  television service provider.

Apply for your converter box coupon