At midnight on February 17, 2009, most television broadcast stations in the USA are required to shut down their old analog transmissions and switch over to the new digital transmissions. The transition day is called Digital TV Day or DTV Day. What does this mean for you and how should you prepare for it?

Basically, it means that if you are still receiving your television programs using an antenna, you will either have to buy a television that has a digital tuner or you will have to purchase a digital converter box. But if you are using a cable or satellite service, you do not have to do anything. Your broadcast service provider will handle the conversion for you.

It is possible that some cable or satellite television services will require a special box that will need to be installed, but most will not. You should check with your television service provider to be certain that the transition to digital will be seamless.

If You Are Using a Television Antenna
If you purchased a new television after March 1, 2007, the chances are pretty good that the television already has a digital tuner. Many televisions sold in 2004 or later will have the digital tuner, but it was not required by the government until 2007. If the TV has a digital tuner, you are ready for the transition. You do not have to do anything else. Look for the acronyms ATSC or HDTV in the specifications for the tuner. If you find that your TV does not have a digital tuner, a digital converter box will be needed to translate the new digital signals into analog signals that you older television can understand.

Fortunately, the government has a program that an assist you with the cost of converting to the new broadcasts. The government is offering coupons worth $40 that can be applied toward purchasing a digital converter box. Each household can get up to two coupons. To apply for the coupons, visit TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The government will mail a card to you that will allow you to purchase a converter from a list of authorized retailers at a $40 discount.

The list of authorized retailers is on the government site. It includes major consumer electronics retailers such as:

• Best Buy
• Circuit City
• Radio Shack
• Sears
• Target
• Wal-Mart

Will the Digital Transmissions Be High Definition?
The short answer is no. Digital does not mean high definition. If you want high definition television, you will probably have to subscribe to a satellite or cable service and pay extra for the high definition options or special cable box.

Do I Need a Digital Antenna?
No. There really is no such thing as a HDTV antenna or a digital antenna. Your old rabbit ears or rooftop antenna should work just fine.

Will the Picture Be Perfect for All Digital TV Transmissions?
Not necessarily. If a station currently comes in weak with your current analog set and an antenna, you probably will no longer be able to receive the station with a digital tuner. With broadcast transmissions, digital tends to either work or not work. If an analog station displays with a lot of static, it might not display at all when you convert to digital. This is a situation when a larger or better antenna may help.

Will All Analog Television Transmissions Be Shut Down on DTV Day?
All the major broadcasters will have to switch over to digital television transmissions, but there will be a number of smaller broadcasters that have been designated as “low power” stations that will continue to broadcast in analog for an unspecified amount of time.