Q: What is Digital Television?
A: Digital Television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology that enables television stations to provide clearer pictures and better sound quality than can currently be provided in over-the-air or analog signals. DTV is able to offer television stations the ability to provide several channels of programming at once, as well as interactive capabilities and data services such as enhanced closed captioning that would not be available with the analog technology.
Q: Why the switch to DTV?
A: This switch was mandated to occur on February 17, 2009 to free up analog frequencies for other purposes. Currently, both analog signals and digital signals are used for television purposes. Rather than having both sets of frequencies performing the same function, the first set of excess frequencies were auctioned to private companies in March and raised $19.6 billion to help pay for the transition to the higher quality digital signal.
Q: Do I need to do anything to make sure my TV is ready?
A: Only Iowans who receive their television signal for free via over-the-air antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners will be affected. That number is estimated to be 200,000
Iowa households. The owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website show whether a television has an analog tuner. If you subscribe to a cable service, regardless of the type of television you have, you do not need to take action. There are three choices for affected Iowans to receive the over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. The first choice is to buy a DTV converter box that plugs into the television set to receive the digital signal. The federal government is providing households with up to two $40 coupons that must be redeemed within three months of the issue date to help cover the cost of the digital converter box. More information about DTV converter boxes and the coupon application can be found at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). The second choice is to purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. The third choice is to subscribe to cable, satellite or telephone company service provider if all the desired local broadcast stations are carried by those services. If you currently use a roof-top antenna or another type of reception equipment to receive over-the-air television, the same equipment will be needed to receive DTV.
Q: Where do I go if I have questions?
A: The DTV Transition Coalition has set up a website with general information about the transition at www.dtvtransition.org. I encourage Iowans to check that website for questions they may have. In addition, Iowans are always welcome to call, email, or write any of my offices with questions.