The Change to Digital Television
Digital Television (DTV) broadcast technology is more flexible and efficient than the current analog system. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog programming signal, NewsChannel 9 will be able to provide multiple channels of digital programs simultaneously. DTV can provide picture resolution, interactive video, and data services that easily surpass the capabilities of “analog” technology. Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum, that can then be used for other important services, such as police and fire departments, emergency rescue, and advanced wireless services. By law, television stations like NewsChannel 9 must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals to digital television (DTV). Congress and the President is expected to delay the transition date to June 12, 2009.While the benefits of Digital Television (DTV) are remarkable, some households in Central New York, that pick up Channel 9 using an antenna could lose their television reception unless they take a few easy steps to receive a digital signal.
How to tell if You Need to Make Changes
Folks who have their sets connected to cable, satellite or other pay television services will not need to do anything. Only older TV sets connected to an outdoor antenna or rabbit ears will likely need to make some changes. To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in ATSC tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number. If you do not have an ATSC tuner, and you don't receive your tv picture from Cable or Satellite, follow the steps below.
Making Sure You're Ready for the Switch
You can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of the following steps: ► Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. 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. DTV converter boxes are now available for purchase, and cost between $45 and $70. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government will offer up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon may be used toward the purchase of a single DTV converter box. Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, you can request a coupon while supplies last by:
- Applying online
- Call the Coupon Program hotline 1-888-DTV-2009
- Mail a coupon application (download here) to:
PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208.
- Fax a coupon application to 1-877-388-4632 | 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.
Many major chains have been certified to sell the converter boxes, including Best Buy; Circuit City; Kmart; Sam's Club; Wal-Mart; Sears, Radio Shack and Target.
► Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.
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.
► Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider.
Finding The Right Antenna
Use these websites to find what type of antenna will work best at your home: Antennaweb.org, TVFool.com, SolidSignal.comHere are some companies that sell all types of antennas: SolidSignal.com, AntennasDirect.com, SummitSource.comThere are some of the major antenna manufacturers: Channel Master, Blonder Tongue, Winegard, Terrestrial Digital
What Makes HDTV Different?
HDTV is high-definition television, a television picture format made possible by digital broadcasting (DTV). HDTV gives viewers pictures that are as much as six times the resolution of traditional television images and crystal-clear digital sound. Currently, television pictures are made up of 480 lines that are scanned horizontally. HDTV pictures are created by scanning 1,080 lines. Current sets have what would be the equivalent of 300,000 pixels, while an HDTV screen is composed of more than 2 million pixels. 
|  | Good Morning America in
traditional 4:3 aspect ratio
| Good Morning America in HDTV 16:9 aspect ratio
| Having more pixels on your screen dramatically improves the sharpness of your pictures, allowing you to see details like never before.HDTV sets also have wider, movie-theater-like screens that more closely approximate human peripheral vision, making it easier and more exciting to watch.
HDTV and Digital-ready TV Sets are NOT the Same.
Both TV sets have the ability to show pictures in HD quality, but each one is not created equally.
An HDTV set is able to receive all digital formats, including HD, and display those formats in the appropriate resolution.
A digital-ready TV set (or HDTV-ready) is designed to display digital images, including HD images, but is not designed with integrated tuners for digital signal reception. However, with an appropriate HDTV decoder box, HDTV-ready sets are capable of providing HD images.
Be sure that what you are buying is a true HDTV. Some retailers sell "DTV Ready" sets that display DVD resolution images, but not HDTV resolution images. As with any major purchase, do your homework before buying a set. There are a number of resources online for further information.
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