According to provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, all full-power television stations nationwide must switch from the current analog method of transmitting TV signals to broadcasting a digital signal (DTV) on February 17, 2009, only one year away. Broadcasters are transitioning to digital to provide important consumer benefits. Because digital broadcasting is more efficient, broadcasters require less of the airwaves to provide a better television viewing experience. Once the DTV transition is completed, some television channels will be turned over to fire and police departments for emergency communication , and others will be auctioned to companies to provide new wireless services, especially in rural areas.

The National Grange is working to educate its members and the communities where Granges are located about the national transition to Digital Television (DTV).

If you currently use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna to receive analog television, you must take some action to continue receiving free over the air television broadcasts. Consumers who currently watch TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV services, or already own a television with a digital tuner will likely continue to receive TV programming as usual after the transition.

The question you need to answer is whether or not your TV set has something called a “digital tuner” already built in. If it does, your TV set will work after February 17, 2009. The best way to determine whether your TV set has a digital tuner built in is to consult your owner’s manual. If that’s not possible, you may be able to look up information about your TV set on the manufacturer’s website. You are trying to find out if your set has an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is the DTV format). If you’re not sure what to do, take a quick quiz to help you figure out your options at www.dtvtransition.org.

Here are some general guidelines that may help:

Any TV set made before 1998 is a traditional “analog” set. If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it may have a built-in digital tuner inside. Unfortunately, however, only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.

If you purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores feature digital tuners that will work after February 17, 2009. But it is not a sure thing. Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts. Usually these sets have been advertised as “HD-ready” or “HDTV monitor” sets. That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place. With these pieces of equipment, you will still need a special converter or a cable TV connection. Unfortunately, most hand held and battery operated televisions cannot be connected to a converter box and will no longer receive signal after the change over. If you are not sure what type of TV you have, go to www.dtvtransition.org.

Additional confusion is likely to be part of the transition, especially for rural consumers. Some communities with translator and low-power television service are not required to go all-digital after February 17, 2009. Viewers of these broadcast stations should contact their station for details. Because low power television service will not convert to DTV at the same time that full power service does, some rural areas will find that they receive both analog and digital signals from separate TV stations. Also, because Canada and Mexico will have different transition schedules to DTV, rural TV viewers who receive over the air broadcasts from across the borders will also have to be able to receive signals in analog and digital format if they want to continue to receive these broadcasts.

To make it simple for consumers to continue to use most of their existing TV sets when most of the nation converts to DTV, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 provided for a program to provide “converter boxes” that will translate the new digital signals into analog signals that existing televisions can display. These converter boxes are currently available in many retail electronics stores and on-line or mail order purchase options are also becoming available. The average cost of a DTV converter box is $40 to $70. However, Congress also provided that consumers may apply for up to two “discount coupons” per household that may be applied to the purchase of converter boxes. As full power stations in the U.S. go digital, consumers will need to take action to continue to receive their free TV with an antenna and may want to consider applying for TV converter box coupons between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, because after that date, coupons will no longer be available.

Cable and satellite subscribers should check with their providers before February 17, 2009, to see how they are handling the transition. TVs connected to cable, satellite , or other pay TV service will not require a TV converter box from this program.

There are three options to ensure service for those television viewers who currently use analog television sets and receive over the air free TV.

Options to explore include:

1. Keeping your existing analog TV and purchasing a TV converter box.
2. Connecting to cable, satellite or other pay service.
3. Purchasing a television with a digital tuner.

The converter box application form requires that you provide your name, household address, the number of coupons requested (maximum of two), and whether you subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay television service. Your personal information is protected under privacy laws and will not be sold or used for other purposes other than administering the NTIA Coupon Program.

A consumer contact center has been activated and will operate in six languages in addition to English: French, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. The contact center will be accessible for hearing-impaired persons through a TTY number. The contact center and website can also help answer questions you may have about obtaining and redeeming coupons, checking the status of your coupon request, and other issues.

All U.S. consumers are eligible for the coupon program, but supplies are limited. There are 22.25 million coupons available to all U.S. households. Once those coupons have been used, there are an additional 11.25 million coupons available only to households that solely receive their TV broadcasts over-the-air using an antenna. Households with TVs connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service are not eligible for this second batch of coupons. Consumers can apply for coupons until March 31, 2009, or until the funds are exhausted.

With your coupon(s) you will also receive instructions for using the coupon, a list of coupon eligible certified TV converter boxes that meet the technical and performance standards determined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a list of retailers where you can use the coupon, and frequently asked questions about using the coupon. Coupons expire after 90 days and cannot be reissued , so review your information packet as soon as you receive it. Coupons must be presented at the point of sale and must be redeemed at the time TV converter boxes are purchased. Your coupon will look and work like a plastic gift card. You can expect to buy TV converter boxes and use your coupons at retail stores where you would normally buy consumer electronics products. To verify that your favorite store or online store carries the converter boxes and what boxes are eligible, you can also go to www.ntiadtv.gov.

TV converter box features may vary depending on the brand; however all models will allow your analog TV to continue to operate after February 17, 2009. You do not have to purchase a converter box that is the same brand as you television set. The best way to get information on individual converter boxes is to visit the manufacturer’s website or ask a customer service specialist at a store that sells them.

To install a converter box, simply plug it into your TV set (either in the back or front, depending on your TV). Each TV converter box will come with installation instructions from the manufacturer. You should be able to install the converter box using the instructions provided by the manufacturer. For specific questions, you should ask your retailer or call the manufacturer’s technical support hotline. A generic “Quick Start Guide” and installation video are available at www.DigitalTips.org.

You will still need your antenna, which works with the TV converter box. In some cases, TV viewers may need a new antenna. For help choosing an antenna in order to receive your free, local broadcast TV channels, visit www.antennaweb.org.

Analog equipment such as a VCR or DVD that you currently use will continue to work with (output to) your analog TV set, but they will not be able to receive over-the-air programming without the TV converter box. Attach the converter to your VCR, TiVo, DVD-R, etc. instead of hooking it directly to your TV.

Consumers can begin enjoying the benefits of digital television today. Because most full-power stations are currently broadcasting both in digital and analog, viewers can plug in their converter boxes and generally receive a clearer picture and “multicast” channels where available. Analog televisions are not capable of displaying High-Definition resolution, but the picture will generally be better with a TV converter box. If you want to view High-Definition TV, then you will need one of the newer sets rated for “High-Definition” resolution.

If you know someone such as an elderly person who is unable to apply for a converter box coupon by him or herself, you may apply for them as long as you use their home address, which will be validated for eligibility. Institutional home dwellers such as nursing homes and group homes are eligible for coupons so long as they have a separate U. S. postal address. A household is defined as separate living quarters with a separate U.S. postal address. This definition includes all households located in U.S. Territories, but does not include Post Office Boxes. If you receive your mail at a post office box , the government can mail you coupons only if there is not home mail delivery.

Helping the elderly, disabled , and limited resource individuals in your community to make a smooth transition to DTV would make a great Grange Community Service Project!

To comment on the Coupon Program, you may write to the following address:

DTV 2009 Coupon Program Comments
PO BOX 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000

Again, there are several useful websites you can visit:

REMEMBER, for answers to questions or to request coupons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).