What is the DTV transition?
What is the digital TV transition?The switch from analog TV (the traditional TV system using magnetic waves to transmit and display TV pictures and sound) to digital television (the new TV system using information transmitted as “data bits,” like a computer, to display movie-quality pictures and sound), is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each TV broadcaster so that they could introduce DTV service while simultaneously continuing their analog TV broadcasts. In addition to improved picture and sound quality, an important benefit of DTV is that it will free up parts of the broadcast spectrum for public safety as well as other valuable uses. This is possible because the modern technology of DTV is more efficient than analog TV technology. DTV allows the same number of stations to broadcast using fewer total channels (less of the broadcast spectrum), which will free up scarce and val
TVs that rely on antennas (either set top or roof top) to receive signals will lose service. Households that primarily use cable or satellite services should not lose programming, but may need a converter box to take advantage of some services. If your TV is not yet digital ready, there are many ways to make the transition smooth (please see below). More information is available at www.DTV.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.
