What’s all the fuss about the Digital Television Transition scheduled to take place Feb. 17, 2009? What is the transition and why are we switching?

Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digitial TV (DTV) formats. As of Feb. 17, 2009, full-power TV stations will only broadcast in digital. The DTV transition will affect only people who watch free, over-the-air television stations by using a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears. If you are one of these people, you must take action prior to Feb. 17, 2009, or you will no longer receive a signal.

The Digital Television Transition Public Safety Act of 2005 is requiring companies to switch, which will free up frequencies for police, fire and emergency rescue communications, allow broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound quality and offer more programming choices, and allow for commercial advanced wireless services.

Viewers have three choices:
1.) Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog-coverter box. These boxes are now available in stores and will have a one-time cost of $40-$70. To help consumers pay for the boxes, the United States government is offering two $40 coupons per household.

2.) Purchase a TV with a digital tuner build in. You do not need to purchase a High Definition TV (HDTV) to enjoy digital broadcast television. Residents’ current broadcast antennas should work for digital broadcasts.

3.) Subscribe to a paid TV service. If you subscribe to a paid service such as cable or satellite TV, you should contact your provider to see what, if any equipment may be required. Remember, you will need a digital-to analog converter box for any analog TV in the home not connected to a paid TV service.

Residents can apply online or by telephone, fax or mail to receive two coupons to purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes. You can also request one coupon now and one coupon later. Coupon supplies are limited and expire 90 days after mailed. Requests for coupons must be received by March 31, 2009.  Coupons look like a plastic gift card. Coupons can be used at participating retailers listed in the information packet.

To apply online, go to www.DTV2009.gov
To apply by phone, call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), or TTY, 1-877-530-2634 for English or 1-866-495-1161 for Spanish.

To apply by mail, send requests to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208.
By fax, send requests for 1-877-DTV-4ME2.  

Anyone who is not sure what type of TV they have can go to www.dtvtransition.org for more information.