WHAT DIGITAL MEANS TO YOU

The advantages of a digital signal are many. It is a much more efficient manner of delivering a signal and not subject to as much interference such as ghosting, static & radio interference. Viewers will hear enhanced stereo sound. Digital television also allows for a much higher picture resolution and you will see a much more vivid and brilliant picture. Digital gives local TV stations the ability to split their signal into multiple channels and offer more viewing opportunities from which to choose.

YOU NEED TO BEGIN PREPARING

Assess each television in your household. Is it attached to cable or satellite? If so, there’s probably no need to make any changes.

However, many households do not subscribe to cable or satellite…and many homes that do subscribe do not hook up every television set in the house to the cable or satellite system. It is these TV sets that will be affected.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Much of the terminology can be confusing. Here is a short explanation that should help you when you visit your local electronics store. A more complete glossary and FAQ is here.

Digital TV or DTV – A Digital TV (or DTV) contains an over-the-air digital tuner, designed to be able to pick up a digital TV signal. You should be aware that every TV set manufactured after March 1, 2007, is required to have a digital tuner, so if you purchased your set after that date it most likely is properly equipped to receive a digital over-the-air signal. (Note: this rule only applies to TV sets 13” or larger. Also, many analog sets went on sale over the past year and a half so stores could clear their inventory.)

HDTV or High Definition Television – All HDTV sets are digital, but not all digital TV’s are high definition. HDTV’s are typically larger and are more rectangular than analog sets.  They are often referred to as “widescreen” sets. An HDTV is designed to provide you with a much crisper picture than a Standard Definition television.

Resolution – this refers to the quality of the picture. A Standard Definition TV has the lowest resolution, equivalent to current analog TV sets. Standard Definition TV’s have 480 lines of resolution. High Definition sets have either 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. The higher the number, the sharper the picture.

COST

SDPB does not recommend a particular set, or a particular solution. Consumers need to properly research and determine what solution is best for them. The options are many and varied. Here are a few possibilities:

1) Set-top Converter Box or Digital Tuner. A set-top box connects to the TV you currently own, and to your external antenna system. It allows the digital signal to be captured and converted into information your current TV can interpret. The advantages are that this is the least expensive option, as it will allow you to continue using your current TV set(s). The disadvantages are that you do not benefit from the enhanced picture and audio quality available. Digital tuners will cost between $50 and $100. The federal government is offering a coupon program to help pay for the cost of set-top converter boxes. Click here for information about the federal coupon program: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html 

Consumers may use the following to apply for coupons after January 1, 2008:
By phone: 888-DTV-2009 (toll free)
Online at www.MYDTV2009.gov 
By fax at 1-877-388-4632
By mail at Post Office Box 2000, Portland, Oregon 97208.

2) Digital Television set. The cost of a digital Standard Definition (SD) set is comparable to current analog televisions, between $125 and $300. The advantage is cost – purchasing a standard definition digital TV set is the least expensive way to upgrade your equipment. The disadvantages are that SD sets are 4 : 3 ratio, and have the lowest resolution of all sets.

3) High-Definition TV set. This solution allows consumers to take advantages of all advances that digital television presents – the 16 : 9 “widescreen” aspect ratio, 5-channel surround sound stereo audio, and a crisp, clear picture. This solution is also the most expensive, with sets ranging in price from $350 to $3,000 and more.