DTV Transition
"February 17, 2009"

What is Happening?
The DTV transition from analog broadcast to exclusively digital broadcasting of free television programming is scheduled for completion on February 17, 2009. At which time, by Congress mandate, all analog broadcast transmissions must be terminated. At this time any consumer currently viewing over-the-air broadcasting on analog televisions will no longer receive transmission, instead seeing a blank or snowy picture.

DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer crystal clear pictures and sound, more channels and even free, over-the-air high-definition television (HDTV) for consumers with HD television sets. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – full-power over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs. Today, 1,624 full power television stations out of 1,760 stations nationwide offer digital programming in all markets across America.

Who is Affected?
Consumers who receive “over-the-air” broadcast television signals through an antenna and whose television sets are equipped with analog tuners will be affected by the transition. Alternatively, consumers who subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider should continue to receive unaltered television broadcasts.

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.

How to Remedy?
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;
• Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.

A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.

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 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.

The third solution is to subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company, television service provider. All of these services will allow you to receive digital television signals on your analog television set. No additional equipment is required if you decide to go this route. However, be sure to check that the pay service you choose carries all of the program services provided by the local broadcast stations.

DTV Converter Box-
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. Zenith's DTV converter box (DTT990) is now available for purchase at a cost of $49.99. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government has initiated a coupon redemption program offering converter box coupons valued at $40 each.

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.

Please call for Details & Availability!

Details about Coupon-
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For more information about the converter box coupon program, call Schaefer's or 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit dtv2009.gov.

Zenith's DTV converter box (DTT990) is now available for purchase at a cost of $49.99. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government has initiated a coupon redemption program offering converter box coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon may be used toward the purchase of a single DTV converter box, with a limit of 2 coupons per household. The coupon program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Frequently Asked Questions-

What is DTV?
Digital television (DTV) is an innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.

DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.
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What is Analog?
Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog is not as efficient as digital television: it uses up much more of the valuable spectrum than digital, and TV stations can only transmit one channel of programming with an analog signal versus up to four or more programs with a digital signal in the same amount of spectrum. Analog is also susceptible to interference and “snow” that make a picture less clear.
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Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over the air?
If you currently use an indoor or rooftop antenna to receive over-the-air analog broadcast television signals and you have good or excellent reception quality, the same antenna should be able to provide you with reception of digital television broadcast signals. For more information about using an antenna to receive local television broadcast channels, visit www.antennaweb.org.
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Will I be able to continue to use my existing VCR with a DTV converter box for timed recordings?
Yes, but after the digital transition, you won't be be able to pick up over-the-air programs for recording from the tuner in the VCR, so the input to the VCR must be connected to the output of the DTV converter box. The tuner in the DTV converter box will need to be set to the desired channel to be recorded prior to the start of each recording period programmed into the VCR.
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Links:

Zenith DTT990 - More details about the DTV converter box sold at Schaefer's

ntiaDTV.gov - Government website dedicated to the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program
DTV2009.gov - Additional government website dedicated to the DTV Transition & Converter Box Coupon
AntennaWeb.org - Website to pick the proper antenna to receive your local television broadcast channels

DTVAnswers.com - Website dedicated to Digital Television Transition
DTVTransition.org - DTV Transition Coalition website dedicated to Digital Television Transition
DTV.gov - FCC website dedicated to Digital Television Transition

Zenith.com/DTV - Manufacturer website dedicated to Digital Television Transition
KLKN-TV - Local website dedicated to Digital Television Transition

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For Additional Details & Questions
Please Contact Schaefer's at 402-464-8888