Are You Ready Again for the DTV Transition?

Wednesday, 05. 20. 2009  –  Category: T2 Communications

On June 12, 2009, over-air-television stations will transition their signals exclusively to digital.  If this becomes anything like the false start that occurred in February, it should be interesting as it unfolds.  From the very beginning, the messaging behind this technology conversation has been muddled at best.  The government’s efforts to educate the public have been watered down by a general lack of understanding by most Americans of how exactly they get their TV service and what type of signal they are really watching.  The end result has become unnecessary panic, particularly among the elderly.

So let’s help clarify some of the key components of this transition that you need to remember:

Only Antenna Users Need to Buy Equipment

The reality is that, from a viewing perspective, the only people that will need to adjust their habits are those that use only an antenna to receive their TV.  If you pay for TV service through your local cable, phone or satellite company, there is nothing you need to do.  Simply continue watching TV as you have before, as the company you are paying will have this transition covered with their network and equipment.

If you do, however, receive some or all of your TV through an antenna of any kind (roof, rabbit ears, etc), you will probably need to make a trip to the electronics shop to pick up what is widely known as a converter box.  By now, they should have handled your request many times before and will be able to help with all of your set up questions.  Here is a diagram of how it should be configured:

The only antenna TV viewers that do not need a box would be those with the digital tuner built into their television.  Most flat screen televisions include a digital tuner, and all brand new TVs are required to have one.  Consult the TV user manual or the manufacturer’s website to be sure.

A converter box should retail for under $70 and requires no future payments or fees.  Don’t get fooled into anything more expensive, as they are likely just preying on last minute panicking and lack of knowledge.

DTV Does Not Necessarily Equal HDTV

DTV, or Digital Television, is what is being converted.  In most parts of the country, this essentially translates to your local channels.  Despite what you may have heard, DTV has been up and running from many stations for well over a year.  DTV, however, is not synonymous with HDTV (High Definition Television).  To use a little philosophy logic:  HDTV is DTV, but DTV is not necessarily HDTV.  What this means is that DTV stations being broadcast include some high-definition stations and programming.  However, not everything broadcast digitally is in a high-definition format.

The easiest way to tell the difference is that standard definition DTV programming often projects in a nearly square image on your screen (what is known as a 4:3 ratio), which matches up to the standard screen size of a tube TV.  HDTV often projects in rectangular or widescreen format (16:9 ratio), which maximizes the TV screen on the new, flat panel TVs.

Again, this is really only relevant to those who receive TV via an antenna.  If you subscribe to a service through a cable, phone or satellite company you will not suddenly start receiving additional DTV or HDTV channels as a result of the transition.  It will be business as usual for you.

It’s About the Quality of Signal

The only area that is relevant for all TV subscribers, whether paying for service or receiving it free over an antenna, is the quality of the signal.  While the DTV transition does allow for more stations to be broadcast and high definition programming to be offered, it also attempts to compact more channels into less space.  This means there is a lot more opportunity for the quality of signal to be affected by factors such as weather and distance.  Initial DTV tests have already shown this to be the case depending on where you are trying to pick up the signal.

How this affects pay TV subscribers is that, while you are not using an antenna to get the over-the-air channels, your provider most likely is.  Therefore, any quality issues due to distance and weather will be seen in your home as well.  All viewers will notice issues with signal strength and quality.

Viewers will also see that it interference now shows up differently on your TV.  Gone will be any static that once was associated with these issues.  Instead, digital signals are much more of an “all or nothing” response.  If the signal is poor, viewers will likely experience what many call pixilation, tiny squares in their images, or lose the signal all together.

*****

This DTV Transition is one of many steps to move all content to a digital format.  But to the average person, the changes to the viewing experience will not be nearly as drastic as the anticipation has built us up to believe.  The easiest way to prepare for the change is to simply know how you get your TV service and the capabilities of your TV.

David Fleming is the Director of Corporate Communications for T², a CornerWorld company.

Tags: antenna, article, channels, David Fleming, DTV, HDTV, subscribers, technology, television