Final Words About DTV Switchover (June 12, 2009)

All the consumers need to do is to install a digital-to-analog converter box to each analog TV that depends on over-the-air broadcast reception. They can pay for a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV. Cable companies are using this switchover solely for the purpose of selling subscriptions, rather than to educate the consumers about the DTV switchover.

For antennas, use rabbit ears for VHF and a loop or bow-tie for UHF. Avoid amplified antennas as sometimes they will burn out and won't work, or some that do get worse reception than some nonamplified antennas. Models do vary.

Analog VCRs connected to a cable or satellite converter box can continue to record programs.

Gaming consoles, DVD players and other devices that don't rely on a broadcast signal will work without a converter box.

Some viewers may have trouble receiving some digital channels after June 12. Some stations will change their coverage area in the digital transition.

Watch for station announcements: any station that loses 2% or more of the households it served in analog must notify viewers.

In addition, if consumers are missing a few channels, they should conduct a channel scan, adjust their antenna and check the signal strength meter on their converter box.

If channels are still missing, they may be able to add them individually by entering the number on the converter box remote. For more information regarding reception in your area, visit www.dtv.gov.

Converter box coupons WILL be available after June 12, while supplies last. Consumers will have until July 31, while supplies last, to order coupons by calling 1-888-DTV-2009; however, it is too late to order coupons and receive them in time for the June 12 transition. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed, so consumers must act quickly to redeem them. Consumers should call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day they plan to shop.

Free technical assistance WILL still be available after June 12. The FCC will continue to provide assistance after June 12 to anyone that still needs it. In some areas the FCC is offering free in-home installation services and walk-in centers to consumers who need technical assistance until the end of June, and in some locations, through July.

The FCC s call center will continue to be available to all consumers.

For more information, call 1-888-CALL FCC or visit www.dtv.gov.

Installing a converter box will NOT provide high-definition television (HDTV) on your analog TV. Installing a digital-to-analog converter box will not convert an analog TV to high-definition.

Over-the-air digital to analog converter boxes won't unscramble cable channels and won't allow non cable subscribers to receive them. Only cable converter boxes can unscramble cable channels for both analog and digital TV sets and VCRs, but they require a monthly payment for the box rental and cable lineup packages desired. Over-the-air converter boxes, however, do not require a monthly payment.

HDTV is a digital broadcast format that provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats.

Consumers may receive free, over-the-air HDTV programming if they have an HDTV compatible digital television. But even those who use an analog TV and converter box will usually find that their picture is better than it was with the old analog signal.

The DTV transition will NOT affect TV sets that are connected to most pay TV services. Any television set that is connected to a paid cable or satellite service will NOT be affected by the transition.

The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations: stations that use the public airwaves to transmit their programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna.

Satellite customers who receive local stations through an antenna, rather than by satellite, may be affected. Check with your provider.

You do NOT need a special digital ready or HD ready antenna to receive DTV signals. DTV signals do not require a special antenna.

Over-the-air DTV signals require the same type of antenna (i.e., rooftop, set-top) as analog signals.

With digital, however, it s critical that antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals.

Consumers should check their existing rooftop antenna s for wear-and-tear caused by wind and weather and loose connections that could degrade performance. Weak reception that causes snow in analog could result in no digital picture at all: the digital cliff effect.

FCC-Resources for reporters covering the DTV transition are available in the DTV Media Toolkit at http://www.dtv.gov/media_toolkit.html

ADVISORY: Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FCC DTV Media Hotline: June 9, 2009
202-418-1013 (or) 202-418-7917
Email: dtvcountdown@fcc.gov
Washington, D.C.

The transition will usher in advanced broadcasting technology that will transform consumers television viewing experiences.

Digital television allows for better picture and sound quality as well as more channel and program options.

The possibility of multicasting will allow broadcast stations to simultaneously offer several channels of digital programming while using the amount of spectrum required for only one analog channel.

This will mean many more programming choices for consumers; imagine your favorite local meteorologist having his own channel 24/7 or that same station devoting a channel to only children's programming. DTV will also free spectrum for popular advanced mobile communications services such as wireless broadband.

More importantly, DTV will benefit society by freeing airwaves for use by first responders.

This will create more seamless communication between our firefighters, police officers and other emergency services.

"With all that digital television offers to consumers and society, it is essential that all Americans get prepared for the transition on June 12," stressed FCC Chairman Michael Copps.

The FCC is devoting tremendous resources in these final days to ease the transition and ensure that those with analog sets have the assistance they need to reap the benefits of the digital age.

For help, call 1-888-CALL-FCC now: The transition is today. Or visit www.dtv.gov and enter your zip code or state in the upper right-hand corner of the page to find local events, assistance and information.

On June 12, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only digital signals. Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to have digital-to-analog converter boxes attached to their televisions in order to continue receiving over-the-air television programming. They may also need to adjust or upgrade their television set-top antennas.

DTV Limerick by HalfBee (June 12, 2009)