What Is The Digital TV Transition? Part 1 Of The DTV2009 Transition Guide For The Uninformed

What Is The Digital TV Transition?

It's the question on everyone's minds these days. You've probably heard about it and you've probably seen the odd commercial on TV talking about it, but you might not be clear about what it is. We'll break it down for you. The digital TV transition is something that's been ongoing, but the date that applies to you is February 17, 2009. Right now when you watch TV, most stations broadcast programming using both analog and digital signals. On February 17, 2009, the analog signals will be shut off and from that point on only digital signals will be broadcast.

Why Shut Off The Analog Signals?

Analog signals have been used since the beginning of television, but these type of signals aren't very efficient at transmitting a picture to your TV. Without getting all technical, and explaining all the specifics, just know that digital signals are a lot more efficient. You can think of them as being "smaller", so by switching to all digital signals more room is made available in the space previously taken up by analog signals. This "extra room" freed up by removing the analog signals will be used to create a public broadcasting system to be used in case of national emergencies and what ever is left over will be auctioned off and used for example, wireless signals.

How Does The Digital TV Transition Affect Me?

If you have a newer TV with a widescreen, an LCD, plasma, or rear-projection set you have nothing to worry about. Most newer TV's have a built-in digital receiver that'll receive digital signals come February 17, 2009. If you have cable or satellite, you won't be affected either, even if you have an older analog set. The only way you'll be affected is if you have an analog set and no cable, meaning you receive only over-the-air broadcasts. If this is the case, then expect to see snow on you screen come the big day. If you're still not clear on this, take a look at some of the pictures featured in this article. If they look anything like your TV, then the digital transition will affect you.

It Looks Like This Will Affect Me! My TV Is 20 Years Old, Has Rabbit Ears, And I Have No Cable! What Do I Do?

It's okay! You have options and contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily have to buy a new LCD or plasma even if the young bucks at Best Buy say you do. They work on commission and they're full of bull%#$@. However, that is one of your options. But that's a whole other topic...for tomorrow.

You Can't Do This To Me! The Whole Thought Of Losing My Signal Is Stressing Me Out! Why Keep Me Waiting Until Tomorrow?

Well, the honest truth is that we want you to come back to TVSnob and with the digital TV transition being such a big thing, we've decided to present it to you as a kind of "feature presentation" so to speak. Do you really want to be bombarded with a whole bunch of info regarding something causing you so much stress in the span of a day? Didn't think so. See you tomorrow...

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Posted by Justin Davey at February 18, 2008 9:10 AM

I have purchased a Digitalstream DTX9900 converter box(DCB) and was attempting to comassion it.
1. It will not tune Channel 4. Two TV's and 4 VCR's Ihave had at this address have had no trouble tuning a fine picture on Ch4. At the same time Ch24, for which analog tuners gave a barely distingueshable picture now tunes fine with the DCB. I can' help but feel there is something systemically wrong with the equipment combination I now have. What are my options?
2. My VCR won't pass the converted signal to the TV without severe attenuation and distortion. It probably won't record from this signal either though I haven;t tried yet. Is there a workarounfd for this?
3. Will I lose my $40 government discount coupon if I must return the DCB for refund or exchange?

Posted by: Jack Spenard at April 19, 2008 9:28 PM

Posted by: Jack Spenard at April 19, 2008 9:30 PM

It's really too bad that it is being dictated how I am to view TV. Here's the problem I am currently having, and why analog IS better in some cases.
I own a boat. I have a 15 inch flat HDTV. Since most marinas where I live and use my boat, don't offer cable, I use rabbit ears. I bought an inexpensive set of rabbit ears for about 8 dollars at a local store, hooked them up, did a channel search, found all the channels available, and started watching digital TV. While I agree that the picture is wonderful, if the signal isn't complete, the screen freezes, the sound stops, and it can be many very frustrating seconds before the pictures start moving again, and sound returns! REPEATEDLY!
Frustrated, I returned to the local store, and purchased an amplified antenna. I hooked those up, and much to my surprise, thy worked worse than the inexpensive set I was previously using! The analog channels, while they can get fuzzy, at the very least, the sound doesn't go away, and it is much more pleasant, and much less frustrating to watch, as you are able to "keep up" with the program you are watching simply for the fact that the verbage never stops!
I'm constantly fighting antenna position, and high definition "freeze", and the inability to keep up with a program.
I can't help but to be frustrated and somewhat outraged by this. I'm certain that I am not the only person in this situation, and my sympathy goes to those who previously enjoyed any kind of television in outlying areas, as it is now going to be a completely miserable experience.

Posted by: Craig at May 21, 2008 11:01 AM