Converter Box Assistance: 1-888-DTV-2009
Technical Assistance: 1-888-CALL FCC
Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic)
Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (Basic with twin-lead antenna wire)
Download PDF: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (With a VCR)
Analog television sets will NOT be obsolete after June 12.
You can continue to use your analog TV sets after the transition to DTV is completed on June 12. All you need to do is install a digital-to-analog converter box to each analog TV or connect them to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV. You also must have a good antenna with both rabbit ears, or the equivalent for channels 2-13 (VHF) and a loop, bow-tie or equivalent, to get channels 14-51 (UHF). Analog VCRs connected to a converter box can continue to record programs. Gaming consoles, DVD players and other devices that dont rely on a broadcast signal will work without a converter box.
Some viewers may have trouble receiving some digital channels after June 12.
If you are missing a few channels, you should conduct a channel scan, adjust your antenna and check the signal strength meter on your converter box. If channels are still missing, you may be able to add them individually by entering the number on the converter box remote. For more information regarding reception in your area, visit http://www.dtv.gov.
Free technical assistance WILL still be available after June 12.
The FCC will continue to provide assistance after June 12 to anyone that still needs it. In some areas the FCC is offering free in-home installation services and walk-in centers to you who need technical assistance until the end of June, and in some locations, through July. The FCCs call center will continue to be available to you. For more information, call (888) CALL FCC or visit http://www.dtv.gov.
Installing a converter box will NOT provide high-definition television (HDTV) on your analog TV.
Installing a digital-to-analog converter box will not convert an analog TV to high-definition. HDTV is a digital broadcast format that provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. You may receive free, over-the-air HDTV programming if you have an HDTV compatible digital television. But even those who use an analog TV and converter box will usually find that your picture is better than it was with the old analog signal.
The DTV transition will NOT affect TV sets that are connected to most pay TV services.
Any television set that is connected to a paid cable or satellite service will NOT be affected by the transition. The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations stations that use the public airwaves to transmit your programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna. Satellite customers who receive local stations through an antenna, rather than by satellite, may be affected. Check with your provider.
You do NOT need a special digital ready or HD ready antenna to receive DTV signals.
DTV signals do not require a special antenna. Over-the-air DTV signals require the same type of antenna (i.e., rooftop, set-top) as analog signals. With digital, however, its critical that antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals. And you should check your existing rooftop antenna s for wear-and-tear caused by wind and weather and loose connections that could degrade performance. Weak reception that causes snow in analog could result in no digital picture at all: the digital cliff effect. |