These were just some of the questions people asked when confronted with the transition to digital.
What Is the Digital Transition?
The digital transition in the United States was when all analog television signals originating from full-power broadcast stations became completely digital.
This means analog signals will disappeared from full-power stations. They no longer exist. People that continue to use an analog television and an antenna will not receive TV unless they have a digital-to-analog converter box -- that is, unless they receive signals from a low-power, Class A or translator station.
Yes, there is an exception to the rule.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did not include low-power, Class A or translator stations in the mandatory transition to digital, which means that some people won’t be affected by the transition.
Learn about Class A, low-power and translator stations
Who Is Affected?
Most people reading this were affected by the digital transition. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. is home to about 1,760 full-power stations.
There were also a number of people that weren't affected. The FCC says that there are more than 2,100 licensed low-power television stations, more than 4,700 licensed translator stations and about 600 Class A Stations.
I spoke with Greg Herman, Vice President of Technology for the Community Broadcasters Association, about the transition, and he estimated that 45% of the American viewing public could receive one of these stations that weren’t required to convert to digital in 2009.
When was the Digital Transition?
The digital transition was June 12, 2009, for full-power stations. While Class A, low-power and translator stations weren’t part of this mandate, the FCC will likely require them to convert to digital at some point in the future. No date is recognized or near being recognized at this time.
Why Is the Digital Transition Occurring?
The FCC says that the transition to digital "will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).”
Another reason for the transition was digital television's (DTV) better picture plus sound and data services that analog doesn’t support.
What Do I Need to Watch Television on an Analog TV?
In order to watch a digital signal on an analog TV or tuner-less digital TV after June 12, 2009, you will need either a subscription to a cable/satellite programming package or to own a digital-to-analog converter boxes and antenna.
The United States government currently offers a coupon for digital-to-analog converter boxes. In the program, antenna users can get up to two $40 coupons good for the purchase of a converter box. The official website for the coupon program is www.dtv2009.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Digital Transition
Here is a link to a continuous comment form that I recommend to people with questions to about digital television. I will also post answers in this, so it may be a good resource for you: Digital Television Questions from Readers.
Will Antennas Work with Digital TV?
What Are Low-Power, Class A and Translator TV stations?
