This is the biggest thing to happen to TVs since the
introduction of color. Digital television is no longer a
subject discussed only among the techno-savvy and
gadget-obsessed. It's now a hot topic ignited by the
United States government, fueled by cable providers and
electronics retailers, and spread in the everyday
conversations between even the most casual consumers. You
can try to avoid the escalating digital hype, but by
February 2009, the digital transition will hit home whether
or not you're ready for it.
The switch from analog broadcasting to digital has been
years in the making. In the 1990s, Congress passed a
mandate to change TV broadcasting from analog to digital to
free-up more bands of the broadcast spectrum for public
safety and emergency services, as well as for popular
wireless services. Currently, most TV stations broadcast
on digital and analog channels, with over 1,600 out of
1,745 full-power stations broadcasting digital programs.
After February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations
are required by law to end analog broadcasts.
David Rehr, President and CEO of the National Association
of Broadcasters, considers this digital television
transition "the most significant advancement of television
technology since color TV was introduced." Television
broadcasters will be able to offer programming with
characteristics similar to DVDs: higher quality pictures
without the typical TV interference or "snow." But you
don't have to see DTV to tell the difference; the
multi-channel digital surround sound, including Dolby
Digital 5.1, will turn casual TV watching into a theatrical
experience.
For many people, these benefits will come at a cost.
Consumers who use an antenna on an analog set and do not
subscribe to cable or satellite will need to upgrade in
order to continue receiving television programming.
Upgrading can be done in one of three ways: purchase a
digital converter box (also known as a set-top box or
converter box), purchase a digital television or subscribe
to cable or satellite. Digital to Analog Converter Box
On February 18, 2009, the curbs will not be cluttered with
70 million analog television sets and antennas. These TVs
will continue to work after February 17 with the addition
of a digital converter box. Because DTV broadcasters have
been designated channels in the VHF and UHF bands, antennas
should also continue working as long as a DTV signal is
available ' so don't throw out the rabbit ears just yet.
The digital converter box is an electronic device that
hooks up to an analog TV set to convert digital signals to
analog signals. Converter boxes, priced from $40 to $75,
can be purchased at electronics retailers across the
country. The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) is currently providing an opportunity
for consumers to cut down on the price of the digital
transition. Each household may receive up to two coupons
worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter
boxes. However, the NTIA is offering enough coupons to
supply only half of the nation's households. To receive
these coupons while they last, consumers must apply online
as soon as possible at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ or by phone
at 1-888-388-2009.
Cable and Satellite Depending upon the service provider,
some cable customers may also need a digital set-top box to
receive and convert DTV signals. Satellite customers may
need a different set-top box to receive high definition
programming. Because no single information source claims
to be 100% certain of exactly how the transition will
affect all cable and satellite customers, the only way to
know for sure is by contacting your provider.
Cable network channels such as MSNBC, Lifetime and CNN are
not required by law to make the digital transition.
However, some cable providers, such as Comcast, are
removing popular channels like these from basic cable and
offering them only in a digital broadcast tier.
Although most cable customers will be able to receive basic
cable without a converter box, there may be few channels
left to watch. In order to receive additional channels
(including ones that were once staples in basic cable
service), consumers are thus forced to upgrade their
service in addition to purchasing a digital converter box.
A New TV If you want to take advantage of the full quality
of DTV, you won't need a converter box ' you'll need a new
digital television set. Contrary to popular assumptions,
going digital does not mean going broke. As the prices of
electronics continue to fall, most households are able to
afford a digital televisions of some kind ' Standard
Definition, Enhanced Definition or even High Definition.
Standard Definition television is the basic digital TV
format; its quality is comparable to traditional analog
television. Like analog TVs, SDTVs can deliver up to 480
interlaced (480i) lines of resolution and are transmitted
in 4x3 ratio. Unlike analog, SDTVs can include the 16x9
widescreen aspect ratio.
Although it has the same resolution as SDTV, Enhanced
Definition television provides a smoother picture because
it has progressive scanning rather than interlaced
scanning. EDTV can also be in 4x3 or 16x9 ratio with a
resolution of 480 x 640 or 480 x 720 pixels.
The superior quality of "pure" High Definition is achieved
through the combination of an HD television and an HD
signal. With more lines of resolution and smaller gaps
between scan lines, images on High Definition televisions
are two to five times sharper than those on Standard
Definition televisions. HDTVs can cost as low as $200 for
a small screen LCD, or as high as $15,000 for a large
flat-panel plasma. The options of HD resolution include
1080i (with more lines and pixels) or 720p (with
progressive scanning for smoother images), but the
difference is virtually undetectable unless the TV screen
is very large. High Definition programming shown on an
HDTV ' 1080i or 720p, over-the-air or cable, DLP or plasma
' is a strikingly significant upgrade from Standard
Definition.
Buying Advice As of March 1, 2007, all new TVs are required
to include digital tuners. While retailers may continue to
sell their pre-existing stock of analog-only TVs and
devices, they must indicate in a Consumer Alert that the
product is analog-only.
When shopping for a new digital television, be on the
lookout for product labels with tricky wording.
Televisions with labels such as "Digital Monitor," "HDTV
Monitor," "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready" do not
necessarily include a digital tuner, which means the
additional set-box may still be required. Labels such as
"HD Built-In" and "Integrated HDTV" mean a digital tuner is
included. The best and easiest way to find out is by
contacting the retailer or product manufacturer.
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Metro Productions is a full-service video and multimedia
production company headquartered in Virginia. Metro
Productions provides clients with the ability to realize
the benefits of high-end visual media products for the
purpose of sales, marketing, recruitment and training.
Delivery mediums for these productions include DVD,
streaming media and broadcast quality High Definition
applications.
http://www.metro-productions.com
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