Digital Television Conversion—What You Need to Know

By: States: Illinois | Source: AARP.org

Everyone who owns a television needs to know about the big change coming to our television sets. On February 17, 2009, television stations will convert to digital television broadcasting, and stations will stop sending program signals on their analog channels. This means that television will be broadcast in higher image quality and that more program options will be available, but those who own a TV with roof-top or rabbit-ear antennas won’t be able to watch television.

Consumers, particularly older Americans, rely on television services not only for entertainment, but for news, life saving weather reports, and information about what is happening in the community. The conversion to digital TV will affect millions of households, and several steps must be taken to ensure that individuals avoid misinformation and are still able to receive the television signals they rely on.

Consumers who use an analog TV with an antenna must do one of three things: buy and install an analog converter box on their television set; connect their TV to a cable or satellite system; or purchase a new television with a built-in digital television tuner. To help reduce the cost of the transition, the federal government is offering up to two $40 coupons per household to defer the cost of converter boxes.

Coupons are free, but the supply is limited and about 7 million coupons have been requested so far.

Unfortunately, there is also a lot of misinformation about the digital television (DTV) conversion, leaving individuals susceptible to high-pressure or misinformed sales pitches, encouraging them to buy unnecessary and expensive new television sets.

Upgrading to a high-definition or “HD” TV isn’t necessary to continue receiving television service, and if individuals prefer to continue using their older analog television sets, they can do so as long as they purchase and install a converter box.

AARP believes that this issue is particularly important to older Americans, who are more likely to own an older analog television set and rely on it for both entertainment and information. AARP has been working hard with government, the telecommunications industry and the community to ensure that everyone has adequate information about this change.

AARP will continue to help inform people about this transition, so that the 21 million consumers with analog television sets, many of them older citizens and those on fixed incomes, continue to receive the information and assistance they need.

You can prepare for the transition by checking your own television sets and helping our relatives and neighbors, especially if they are older, to make sure they are aware about the transition and know how to get more information. Converter box coupons can be requested by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), by sending a letter to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208, or by visiting www.DTV2009.gov.