AVT Pro Video & Home Theater
Going Digital: Get Ready for a Change in the Program
Customers are asking us about the FCC mandate to go all Digital next Feb 22, 2009. We wanted to share this informative Q&A from South Jersey Magazine featuring our friend and local technologist, Bill Weber. Who better to explain pending changes!
April 1 , 2008 – Next winter, the way we view television will change. A new law will mandate that all American television stations switch from analog to digital broadcasting on February 17, 2009. For many people, that means the TV will stop working. Will you be affected? WHYY’s William J. Weber, vice president for content distribution and chief technology officer, gets us programmed for what to expect.
Why is the government setting laws about our TVs?
The transition will make room for other wireless services to support homeland security, first responders and future wireless business applications such as mobile, high speed and wireless internet services. The switch to digital will improve the quality of free broadcast television by increasing the number of available channels and dramatically improving the quality of the picture and sound.
Who will be affected?
Almost everyone! While 80-90 percent of today’s TV viewers utilize cable or satellite services to access TV (and those sets will not be affected), many have secondary TVs not connected to cable or satellite and have concerns about family members and friends who rely on broadcast TV. The most vulnerable groups are the elderly, the low income, non-English speaking, the physically impaired and those in rural areas. In addition, many private communities, apartment buildings, hospitals and closed community environments offer private cable television services. The users of these systems will be without TV on February 18, 2009 unless the systems are re-engineered and the users educated on the options.
How can I tell if my TV is analog or digital?
If your television can receive high-definition TV (HDTV), it is digital. Digital television displays are typically wide screen. A standard analog TV has a near square screen. Consumers with analog TVs and without cable will have three options. The first is to purchase a digital converter for their existing analog TV.
Can you explain where they can get one and what it is?
Converter boxes that connect directly to an older analog TV are now available for purchase. With the addition of an antenna, these small boxes will receive the new digital channels, including high-definition, and convert the channels to a compatible analog channel. The box connects to your analog TV in the same way that a VCR or DVD is connected. The remote control supplied with the converter box enables you to channel surf and identify channel favorites. The quality of the displayed picture and sound is far superior and there are twice as many channels. Another option is to subscribe to cable or satellite services.
What are the minimal costs?
Cost for typical basic cable and satellite services range from $30-$50 per month. You do not need cable "digital tier" service. This expensive upgrade is only needed if you wish to view programs in the premium, high-definition TV format. The third choice is to purchase a new television with a digital tuner.
What should we know when making this purchase?
All digital TV sets on sale today are capable of receiving digital and analog channels. Older models may be "digital ready," but do not include a digital tuner. You do not necessarily require cable or satellite service to watch digital TV. Indoor and outdoor TV antennas connected directly to a digital television can be a very effective, high-quality solution without incurring significant monthly expense.
What are the differences between digital and high-definition television?
High-definition TV is one category of digital television. Standard-definition TV, similar to legacy analog television, is another category. High-definition has greater detail and color purity than standard-definition.
Will people have to buy high-definition televisions?
No, they can use the converter box to watch high-definition programming. In addition, some manufacturers will be offering lower-cost digital TVs that will display all the digital channels at a quality level just short of high-definition quality.
What will happen to the out-dated analog TVs?
Many can continue to be used with the converter box or with cable or satellite services.
How will VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, and gaming consoles be affected?
VCRs connected to antennas used to view or record TV programs will lose that capability permanently. Other types of players, camcorders, gaming consoles will not be directly affected. If a converter box is added to the same TV used for gaming, an "A/B" switch may be needed to easily switch between the digital converter box and the game console.
Courtesy of South Jersey Magazine www.sjmagazine.net
