A final and non-extendable deadling has been set by the FCC for broadcasters to change their signals to digital format from the analog system of the past. From February 17 2009, broadcast networks will no longer be airing analogue TV signals.

Satellite TV and digital cable TV subscribers will not be affected by the policy as they already receive digital broadcasts from their respective providers. Those who are currently receiving broadcast signals with the help of an off-air antenna or analog cable provider will definitely be affected by the transition.

In order to receive digital channels, a non-subscriber of Satellite TV and digital cable TV broadcasts may do any of the following:

* Replace an analog TV with one that has a digital tuner or one that can receive digital signals. There’s no need to rush out and buy an expensive HDTV in panic just yet. You current TV may have come equipped with a digital tuner.

* Obtain digital channels from a Satellite TV provider or from a digital cable provider. Satellite TV subscribers already own receivers which does the job of converting digital signals into a format that is recognized by the analog TV set.

* Install a digital converter box. One may still use an analog TV set by purchasing a digital converter box. The digital converter set-top box will process the digital signal it receives and convert it into analog format for a non-digital TV.

A digital converter may cost anywhere from $50 to $100. To lessen the costs of switching, the U.S. government has offered coupons for rebates of $40 to those who buy digital converters.

Interested TV owners may now buy their digital converters at their favorite electronic outlets.

The change from analog to digital TV will be beneficial to both government and private sectors. The conversion to digital transmission will free up frequencies in the broadcast environment for more crucial uses.

End users will, on the other hand, enjoy the renowned digital audio and picture quality. Some viewers may immediately assume that all channels will be transmitted in the much coveted High Definition format.

It will all depend on the TV set that receives the signal and the provider that delivers the signal. Digital TV may be in Standard Definition or in High Definition.

Regardless of the kind of definition one may eventually receive, what is certain is that digital TV will produce superior picture and audio quality that no analog broadcast can provide.

On February 17, 2009, Americans will enter the age of digital television — ready or not.

 

On that date, all full-power broadcast television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital, improving sound and picture quality as well as allowing for stations to offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting.

 

The government-mandated change will free up needed frequencies for public safety and new wireless communication offerings.

 

What’s the difference between analog and digital?

 

Since television was invented, stations have broadcast analog signals, or continuously varying radio waves. The familiar “snow” or ghosting of images is one problem with this way of sending broadcast signals.  Another issue is the limited bandwidth for an ever increasing number of television channels.

 

After the transition, broadcasts will be sent only via digital signals, which use a series of zeroes and ones to transmit data just as a computer does. The result is clearer, more reliable picture and sound as well as the opportunity for more programming options and interactive features.

 

Because of how a digital signal transmits information, it has more room for additional data. So now television stations that once broadcast on one channel, such as channel 3, can now broadcast on several segments of that channel, for example: 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4. Each channel could offer specialized programming for a particular audience.

 

HDTV is the highest level of digital television quality, but it is not the only one. SDTV, or standard definition television format, is the quality at which basic digital broadcasts will be provided. SDTV offers an enhancement over traditional analog broadcasts, but it is not as sharp as HDTV.

 

What do I need to do to be ready?

 

If you have an analog input television and currently receive your television service through cable or satellite, you will continue to receive your current stations without needing to purchase additional equipment.  However, to receive the full, original quality digital signal, you may need to upgrade your set or get special equipment from your service provider. Simply check with your cable or satellite company for more details.

 

Note that if your service goes out due to weather or other circumstances, you will no longer be able to receive traditional television channels without a digital tuner or digital-to-analog converter box.

 

If you have an analog input television and receive your signal via an outside antenna or “rabbit ears,” then you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box to be able to continue watch television. Your set will continue to work as before with gaming consoles, DVD players, VCRs and other similar systems.

 

The new converter boxes are expected to be available in early 2008 and run between $50 and $70. From January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, all U.S. households are eligible for a government coupon program to offset $40 of the cost for up to two boxes per household.  A list of eligible boxes is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which manages the program.

 

Aside from buying a converter box or signing up for a cable or satellite service, you could also choose to buy a new digital-input ready television. After May 2007, all new televisions must be ready for receiving digital signals or be clearly marked that additional equipment will be needed.

 

These next generation television sets are the best way to experience all that digital television has to offer.

In many ways, digital satellite TV is similar to traditional television broadcasts in that its content is transmitted through the airwaves and captured by an antenna (in the case of traditional TV) or satellite dish (in the case of digital satellite TV). Also, the types of content that can be broadcast by both systems are analog and digital.

Unlike traditional television, however, digital satellite TV is able to deliver digital broadcasts at more practical prices because of its significant coverage advantage. This advantage is brought about by the fact that in the satellite broadcasting the content is positioned thousands of kilometers above the ground (unlike the radio transmission towers used in traditional television which are, at best, just hundreds of meters above the ground), which translates to a much wider “footprint” and economies of scale that is applied to its pricing consideration.

Digital satellite TV compresses and encrypts the digital signals of the information prior to broadcast. These broadcasts are transmitted from satellite ground stations to the satellites, which are, in turn, “blindly” transmitted by the satellite to all areas within its “footprint”. These compressed and encrypted signals are received by satellite dishes that are installed at the households and, depending on the authorizations given based on the subscriptions availed of, get decompressed, decrypted, and displayed by the digital satellite TV set-top boxes that are connected to the television sets.

Compared to an erstwhile entertainment favorite, Cable TV, digital satellite TV has the following advantages:

PracticalityDigital satellite TV’s main advantage over Cable TV is that it costs less to maintain the service because there are only four points of failure; i.e., the ground station, the satellite, the satellite dish, and the television itself. In Cable TV, there are several kilometers of cable that need to be checked when a particular subscriber loses his service, aside from trouble at the cable TV headend, other distribution points, and the television set. This advantage allows digital satellite TV service providers to charge less for digital content than cable TV providers.

Wider CoverageAmong the three broadcast media (digital satellite TV, traditional television broadcast, and Cable TV), Cable TV has the smallest coverage reach. This means that the addressable market is also the smallest for Cable TV, which limits the number of subscribers it can provide service to. In contrast, digital satellite TV only has one requirement, i.e., the area it will serve has a direct line of sight to the satellite. All a subscriber needs to purchase is a satellite-band compatible satellite dish, a provider-issued set-top box and a subscription plan with the digital satellite TV provider to enjoy the service.

There are several digital satellite TV providers that a potential subscriber may avail of. Among these are VOOM, DirecTV and DISH Network. These providers offer service packages that include high-definition TV channels and information aside from the standard packages that cable TV companies provide. All these without hurting your pocket any more than it would if you continued with your Cable TV service.