DTV Script Index with Linked Bookmarks (Click on the links within this document) A L Antennas Audio Signals Low Power Stations N Nursing Homes and DTV B P Bad, Odd, or No Picture Parental Controls/V-Chip Plug and Play C Cable and Satellite Channels - Digital and Analog Public Television Stations Closed Captioning Converter Boxes Rabbit Ears (See Antennas) Coupons Satellite (See Cable and Satellite) Splitters (See Antennas) R S D Digital Transition DVD and VCR Recorders and Players/Gaming Co
A ANTENNAS Back to index Do I need a special antenna to receive Digital signals/channels? Do I need to connect my digital-to-analog converter box (or my digital TV) to a special “DTV antenna” or “HDTV antenna” to receive digital broadcast signals? Do I need to re-position my antenna to receive certain digital signals/channels? Do I need more than one antenna to provide digital broadcast signals to multiple TVs in my home? I currently have a “splitter” on my antenna for my multiple TV’s.
AUDIO SIGNALS Back to index My radio currently receives the audio portion of TV channels. Will it work after February 17, 2009? My local AM/FM radio station re-broadcasts a TV channel’s audio. Will the radio station continue this service after February 17, 2009? My local television station re-broadcasts AM/FM radio stations on a television channel.
Does the DTV transition affect TV sets that are connected to cable services? Does the DTV Transition affect TV sets connected to satellite TV service? How do I know if I already have digital programming through my cable or satellite TV service? I am connected to cable and have lost channels, is this a reception problem? I subscribe to satellite TV Service, but I do not receive my local broadcasts through them.
Features of Converter Boxes Closed Caption Features Secondary Audio Programming Features Remote Control Features Additional/Advanced Features How do I install my digital-to-analog converter box? How much does a digital-to-analog converter box cost? Where can I buy a digital-to-analog converter box? COUPONS Back to index Can those who live in nursing homes get coupons? Can those who only have a Post Office box (no street address) get coupons? Coupon Quick Facts To Order Coupons Coupon Appeals What digital
DVD and VCR RECORDERS AND PLAYERS/GAMING CONSOLES Back to index What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set? What if I want to connect my VCR to my digital-to-analog converter box? E EMERGENCY ALERTS Back to index Will digital television stations continue to provide emergency alerts? G GAME CONSOLE (See DVD and VCR) Back to index H HOW TO HOOK UP A CONVERTER BOX Back to index Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
I’M NOT GETTING ANYTHING/MISSING CHANNELS (See Bad Picture) Back to index IT DOESN’T WORK (See Troubleshooting) Back to index ISSUES FOR THOSE LIVING NEAR US BORDERS Back to index L LOW POWER STATIONS Back to index What are low-power (LPTV), Class A, and TV translator stations and how does the DTV transition affect them? What are my options for watching over-the air analog TV broadcasts from LPTV or translator stations after the digital transition? N NURSING HOMES AND DTV Back to index Nursing H
PLUG AND PLAY Back to index Is there a charge for a cable card? What is “plug and play?” What is a cable card? Will I Need A Set-Top Box if I Have a Plug-and-Play Set? PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS Back to index Can a public TV station (PBS) air commercials or advertisements on digital TV? What are non-broadcast ancillary and supplementary services? Are all public TV stations (PBS) broadcasting in digital only format at this time? R RABBIT EARS (See Antennas) Back to index S SATELLITE (See Cable and Sa
STATIC (see Bad Picture) Back to index T TELEVISIONS Back to index Does my TV have a DTV tuner and what about my VCR, DVD recorder, PVR, DVR, etc.
What is a DTV tuner? V VCR (See DVD and VCR) VIDEO DESCRIPTION Back to index Back to index If I currently use available video descriptions to access television programming, what should I be aware of regarding the digital television (DTV) transition? What is Video Description? What is the impact of digital television transition on video description? W WHAT IS THE DIGITAL TRANSITION (See Digital Transition) 10 Back to index
DTV FAQs QUICK FACTS Use THIS script and this Q & A for answering ALL email inquiries. These are your talking points for phone inquiries. DTV FAQS THE DIGITAL TRANSITION What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting? Because Congress mandated that the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog would be February 17, 2009, over-the-air TV broadcasts will be entirely in digital after that date.
Do I have to wait until after February 17, 2009 to watch DTV? No, digital television is available now. If you watch over-the-air television today, you should be able to receive all or most of your local stations’ digital signals if you have a DTV receiver, including multicast programming. If you have a high definition set, you will be able to view available programming in high definition.
This phase-in plan is intended to allow manufacturers to realize increasing economies of scale with production volume, so that digital tuner costs will be lower when the tuners are required in smaller sets. On July 1, 2004, the tuner requirement was applied to 50% of large sets (screen sizes 36” and larger), and July 1, 2005, the tuner requirement was applied to all large sets and to 50% of mid-size sets (25”- 36”). Beginning March 1, 2006, DTV tuners were required in all mid-size sets as well.
Does my TV have a DTV tuner and what about my VCR, DVD recorder, PVR, DVR, etc.? Most of the televisions that have DTV tuners are those that have been sold—since about 1998—as having an "integrated" HDTV broadcast tuner. Most of these products are also capable of displaying HDTV, so they are sometimes advertised or sold as "HD Built-in." (An HD set sold as a "monitor" or "HD-ready" is capable of displaying HDTV but does not have a built-in HDTV tuner.
What are the Cable Carriage Rules for Digital TV? There is no “dual carriage” requirement on cable operators. This would have required them to simultaneously carry broadcasters’ analog and digital signals. In addition, cable operators are not required to carry more than a single digital programming stream from any particular broadcaster.
My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV? No. “Digital cable” and high definition programming on cable are not the same. If you want to watch HDTV programming on cable, you will need to subscribe to your cable provider’s HDTV package and view the programming on an HDTV set. You may also need a set-top box or other equipment to view HDTV programming.
The DTV transition will not affect satellite TV subscribers who receive their local TV stations through their satellite dishes. Satellite TV service is a digital service and all satellite subscribers must have a settop box connected to their TVs to receive the satellite-delivered programming. As a result, there should be no change in service for satellite subscribers unless the local TV stations are not provided by the satellite carrier.
Yes, but you will need to get two adapters (also called "baluns" or "matching transformers," which are pictured below). Unscrew the existing twin-lead antenna wire from your TV “Antenna In” twin-lead terminals. Attach the existing twin-lead antenna wire to the twin-lead terminals on the twin-lead adaptor (first picture below). Then plug the twin-lead adaptor’s coaxial connector into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on the Converter Box.
If the radio/television combination unit relies on a separate antenna for AM/FM radio that is not connected to a digital-to-analog converter box, it should be able to receive AM/FM radio broadcasts whether the unit is connected to a digital-to-analog converter box or not. Back to index My radio currently receives the audio portion of TV channels.
Class A TV stations are former LPTV stations that have certain interference protection rights not available to LPTV stations. These stations are technically similar to LPTV stations, but unlike LPTV stations must air at least three hours of locally-produced programming each week and comply with most of the nontechnical regulations applicable to full-power stations. Approximately 600 licensed Class A TV stations are in operation.
household that receives converter box coupons. You can also check with your retailer to determine whether the converter box you are purchasing has analog pass-through capability. If you purchase a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through capability, you may have to connect an antenna switch or a signal “splitter” to bypass the box if you wish to view analog TV broadcasts.
Traditional analog TV has an aspect ratio of 4:3 (almost square). This means that a TV screen is 4 inches wide for every 3 inches it is tall. Most digital televisions have an aspect ratio of 16:9 (rectangular) and are called “widescreen.” The 16:9 aspect ratio more closely approximates the look of movies and the amount of programming that is being offered in 16:9 is increasing.
digital-to-analog converter box for details on how to eliminate the bars through zooming, stretching or squeezing the image on your screen. Back to index Why do some programs look “clearer” than others on my digital television? Depending on your television, you may notice the resolution of the picture changing between programs. With a higher resolution television, lower resolution channels or programming will appear in their lower resolution.
through a private cable operator (PCO) serving just one building or homeowners’ development. Back to index How is this different from having cable in my building? If you subscribe to the cable TV service offered in your city or town, or if you subscribe individually to satellite TV service and receive your local channels through your own satellite dish, you will continue to receive your local broadcast channels without having to buy a digital television or DTV converter box.
DTV-Digital TV/Antennas QUICK FACTS Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.
or placing it higher can often improve reception. Many antennas need to be oriented or aimed to get the best signal from the desired station. For indoor antennas, you may need to do this manually by trial and error. For outdoor antennas, a rotor that re-orients the antenna can improve performance, particularly when trying to receive stations that transmit from different locations. Back to index 3. I currently use rabbit ears and can receive analog signals.
Closed Captioning & D-to-A Converter Boxes For OTA (Over-the-Air) Analog Programs QUICK FACTS The digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital broadcast television. When the DTV transition is completed on February 17, 2009, all U.S. full-power TV stations will stop broadcasting in analog format, and will transmit only in digital instead.
whether your converter box is equipped to generate captions in this way, you should refer to the user manual that came with the converter box. The converter box will come with instructions on how to change the caption size, font (style), caption color, background color, and opacity. This ability to adjust your captions is something you cannot do now with an analog television and analog captions. Back to index 2.
DTV Transition & O-T-A Viewers Along US Borders QUICK FACTS Some consumers living along the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada currently watch analog television programming broadcast over-the-air by Mexican and Canadian stations. Canadian TV stations will also transition from analog to digital broadcasting, but not until August of 2011. Mexico has begun its transition and will complete it in 2021. U.S.
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER BOX – SELECTED FEATURES QUICK FACTS The FCC has prepared a Consumer Advisory on selected features in 41 digital-to-analog converter boxes that it has purchased. Converter boxes are to be used with your analog television to receive digital signals broadcast for free over-the-air to your antenna.
NOTE: All coupon eligible boxes meet the minimum standards set by NTIA, the federal agency responsible for administering the converter box coupon program.NTIA’s website lists a total of 159 coupon eligible converter boxes which have been approved for the coupon program. The FCC does not endorse any particular product or product manufacturer. Back to index CLOSED CAPTION FEATURES Broadcasters can transmit closed captions in two formats.
Dish Networks DTV Pal Adv Yes Toggle Yes Dish Networks TR-40CRA Adv Yes Toggle Yes GE 22729 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes GE 22730 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes GE 23333 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes Goodmind DTA 1000 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes Gridlink GLT-200 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes Insignia NS-DXA1 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Menu Only Insignia NS-DXA1-APT Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Menu Only Kingbox K8V1 Basic/Adv Yes Sequential Yes Lasonic LTA-260 Basic/
***Menu - The CC button brings up the captions menus on the converter box. Sequential - the CC button progresses through each of the caption options in sequence. Toggle - the CC button turns the captions either on or off. Caption preferences must first be configured through the captions menus on the converter box. ****Sequential function cycles only through basic caption modes. Advanced captions can be accessed through menu only.
Gridlink GLT-200 At least one Yes Insignia NS-DXA1 At least one Yes Insignia NS-DXA1-APT At least one Yes Kingbox K8V1 At least one Yes Lasonic LTA-260 At least one Yes Magnavox TB100 MG9 At least one Yes Magnavox TB100MW9 At least one Yes Memorex MVCB1000 At least one Yes MicroGem MG2000 At least one Yes Philco TB1000HH9 At least one Yes RCA DTA800B1 One only Yes Sansonic FT-300A At least one Yes Sunkey SK-801ATSC At least one Yes Tivax STB-T9 At least one Yes Vent
Converter Box Caption button on remote? SAP button on remote? Universal Remote? Number Button Diameter (mm) AccessHD DTA10101D Yes Yes No 6 AccessHD DTA10101U Yes Yes Yes 7 Airlink 101®ATVC101 Yes Yes No 6 Alpha Digita AT2016 Yes Yes No 6 Apex DT 250 Yes Yes No 6 Artec T3A Yes Yes No 6 Artec T3AP Pro Yes Yes No 6 Artec T3A Pro Yes Yes No 6 Cadence DTVC-9 Yes Yes No 6 Channel Master CM-7000 Yes Yes No 6 Coship N9988T Yes Yes No 6 Digital Stream DSP75
Sansonic FT-300A Yes Yes No 6 Sunkey SK-801ATSC Yes Yes No 5 Tivax STB-T9 Yes Yes No 6 Venturer STB7766G1 Yes No No 6 Winegard RC-DT09 Yes No No 6 Winegard RC-DT09A Yes No No 6 Zenith DTT901 Yes Yes Yes 7 Zentech DF 2000 Yes Yes No 6 Zinwell ZAT-970 Yes Yes No 6 Zinwell ZAT-970A Yes Yes No 6 Back to index ADDITIONAL/ADVANCED FEATURES Adding Channels: All coupon-eligible converter boxes have the ability to scan the airwaves for available channels, but not al
Apex DT 250 None Yes Artec T3A Scan/Direct No Artec T3AP Pro Scan/Direct Yes Artec T3A Pro Scan/Direct No Cadence DTVC-9 Scan/Direct No Channel Master CM-7000 Scan No Coship N9988T No Scan/Direct Digital Stream DSP7500T Scan No Digital Stream DSP7700T Scan Yes Digital Stream DTX9950 Scan Yes Dish Networks DTV Pal Scan/Direct Yes Dish Networks TR-40CRA Scan/Direct Yes GE 22729 Direct No GE 22730 Direct No GE 23333 Direct Yes Goodmind DTA 1000 Direct No Gridlink GLT
Zentech DF 2000 Direct No Zinwell ZAT-970 Direct No Zinwell ZAT-970A Direct Yes For more information or questions pertaining to the DTV transition, please call toll-free at 1-888CALL-FCC (voice) and 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY).
Coupons QUICK FACTS Use this script for any inquiry related to coupons: Examples are referrals to the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) for indepth questions regarding the coupon program, consumers who haven’t received their coupons or their coupon failed to arrive on time, expired coupons, consumers who are interested in requesting a coupon, a consumer coupon request that was denied because of the requester’s address was either a post office box or nursing home, or a consumer wa
you will not receive coupons unless more funding becomes available. If program funding becomes available you should receive your coupons in the mail." This does not affect coupons that have already been issued or coupons that were ordered as late as Saturday, January 3, 2009. Only new coupon applications are affected.
representative from the licensed facility may apply for the nursing home resident. Applications will be accepted by mail ONLY. Applicants may use a new pre-printed form or applicants may use a letter if it includes all the required waiver information. For the form see: https://www.dtv2009.gov/docs/NursingHomeCouponApplication_en.pdf ) The coupon will be mailed to the resident “in care of” the facility.
Video Description & the Digital Transition QUICK FACTS Video descriptions are a way to inform people who are blind or have other vision disabilities of what is happening on the television screen. Video description is the insertion of verbal descriptions about the setting and/or action in a program when information about these visual elements is not contained in the audio portion of the program. These descriptions supplement the regular audio track of the program.
Title: Video Description & the Digital Transition FAQS: 1. What is Video Description? 2. What is the impact of digital television transition on video description? 3. Will televisions with digital tuners be able to process the audio services associated with the digital signals? 4. If I currently use available video descriptions to access television programming, what should I be aware of regarding the digital television (DTV) transition? 1.
3. Will televisions with digital tuners be able to process the audio services associated with the digital signals? Televisions with digital tuners should be able to process the audio services associated with the digital TV signals through functions that are built into their systems. Consumers should confirm with the manufacturer, owner’s manual or retailer prior to purchase to determine if this feature is included in the digital TV.
4. If I currently use available video descriptions to access television programming, what should I be aware of regarding the digital television (DTV) transition? After February 17, 2009, all full power broadcast television stations will broadcast only in digital format. The DTV transition will provide broadcasters with a greater number of audio channels with which they may provide voluntary video description.
DTV/Reception QUICK FACTS Prior to making any changes to your current antenna or antenna system, you should check to see if it will receive the digital signals being broadcast in your area. During the transition to digital TV, many stations are temporarily operating at reduced power levels. If you are not receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your antenna or receiver.
disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you typically watch analog TV stations that have a lot of static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system to get a reliably good signal for digital broadcasts. Back to index 2. I currently have a “splitter” on my antenna for my multiple TV’s. Will this cause reception problems for digital signals? Splitters are used to connect a single antenna to multiple receivers reduce the amount of signal available to each receiver.
Consumers who want to watch programming from full-power stations still broadcasting in analog until February 17, 2009, or the analog programming from low-power, Class A, or translator TV stations, should look for digital-to-analog converter boxes that have “analog passthrough” capability. These viewers will be able to watch analog broadcasts by turning off the power to the passthrough converter boxes and tuning their TV sets to the analog channels they want to watch.
DTV Recycle - EPA QUICK FACTS If I no longer want my old TV, what should I do with it? Recycle it! Call your local household hazardous waste collection and recycling program to find out whether they will be sponsoring an upcoming event to recycle TVs and other electronics. For many working electronic products, donation is a good option because it facilitates reuse and extends the product life.
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Antennas-Troubleshooting QUICK FACTS A digital-to-analog converter box is a device that plugs into your analog TV and converts digital broadcast signals to analog signals so you can watch them on your analog TV. To help consumers pay for digital-to-analog converter boxes, the Government established a coupon program. For information on the program, participating retailers, and eligible converter boxes, call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-5302634 (TTY).
7. What if I want to connect my VCR to my digital-to-analog converter box? 8. I have an older antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Will I be able to connect my older antenna and TV to a digital-to-analog converter box? 9. Do I need to connect my digital-to-analog converter box (or my digital TV) to a special “DTV antenna” or “HDTV antenna” to receive digital broadcast signals? 10.
the time of purchasing the converter box. For more information on the coupon program, participating retailers, and eligible converter boxes, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-3882009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). Back to index 3. How do I install my digital-to-analog converter box? You should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions in the manual and/or the “quick start guide” provided with the converter box.
Check to make sure you plugged the coaxial wire that came with your converter box into the “Out to TV (RF)” port on your converter box and the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your TV. Check to make sure you plugged the power cords on your converter box, TV, and if you are using an indoor amplified antenna, your antenna into a power outlet and turned them all on.
additional instructions on how to connect the box to view broadcasts from both analog and digital stations. NOTE: An analog pass-through box only receives a digital signal and then lets the analog signal still go to the TV. However, you will need to use the TV remote to get these channels. (without a pass-through box, you will have to turn off the converter box to get the analog signal through the TV or you can install a signal splitter) Back to index 7.
Step 2. Unplug coaxial wire #2 from your VCR “To TV (RF)” port. Leave the other end of wire #2 plugged in to the TV. Step 3. Plug the existing coaxial antenna wire into the “In” port on your 2-way splitter. Step 4. Plug the loose end of wire #2 into the “Out to TV (RF)” port on Converter Box “A”. Step 5. Plug one end of coaxial wire #3 into one of the “Out” ports on the 2-way splitter. Plug the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on Converter Box “A”. Step 6.
Yes, but you will need to get two adapters (also called "baluns" or "matching transformers"). An adapter is a device that converts or changes one type of jack or plug to another. These adapters will allow you to connect your older antenna and TV to the coaxial ports on your digital-toanalog converter box. Check with your retailer if you have any specific questions regarding the adapters you need. Back to index 9.
Make sure your antenna receives both VHF and UHF signals. If you have rabbit ears on your set, make sure you also have a “loop” or a “bowtie” connected to your rabbit ears. Rabbit ears will receive VHF signals and the loop or bowtie will receive UHF signals. Make sure you have performed a channel scan (see question 5 above) with your digital-toanalog converter box or digital television.
13. Do I need more than one antenna to provide digital broadcast signals to multiple TVs in my home? You can use a singe antenna to provide digital broadcasts to multiple TVs in your home. But remember, each analog TV connected to your antenna will need its own digital-to-analog converter box to display digital broadcast programming. “Splitters” that are used to connect a single antenna to multiple receivers reduce the amount of signal available to each receiver.
DTV – Public TV Stations QUICK FACTS The FCC recently adapted its rules governing public stations to the digital environment. Public broadcasters now have flexibility to enhance their ability to raise revenue to support their educational programming mission. Public TV's primary responsibility is to provide noncommercial, nonprofit, educational broadcast service.
NCE television licensees may include advertising in their ancillary or supplementary services to the extent that such services do not constitute broadcasting (Note: Free data or audio services would be considered broadcasting and may not include advertising). Back to index 3.
Digital “Plug and Play” QUICK FACTS The FCC has adopted rules for digital “plug and play” which means consumers can plug their cable directly into their digital TV set without the need of a set-top box or navigation device. The new rules will permit TV sets to be built with “plug and play” functionality for oneway digital cable services, which include typical cable programming services and premium channels like HBO and Showtime.
2. What is a cable card? Digital plug-and-play is a new technology. To use it, you need to get a security card (also known as a "Cable CARDTM") from your cable provider. The Cable Card will plug into a slot on your plug-and-play set and will permit you to receive scrambled programming, including premium services, to which you’ve subscribed. CableCard's first function--and arguably its most important--is to prevent people from stealing cable TV.
PO Boxes/Nursing Homes & Coupon Requests QUICK FACTS The Secretary of Commerce announced on September 16, 2008 that residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for mail delivery will be eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. This affects the NTIA Coupon Program and the rule change took effect October 20, 2008. This allows nursing home residents to request and receive one coupon.
Setting up Your Digital to Analog Converter Box QUICK FACTS Analog TVs can receive digital television (DTV) signals by using a “Digital-to-Analog Converter Box” that can be purchased at retail stores. If you have a single antenna (such as “rabbit ears” on your TV or an aerial on your roof) and one analog TV, the basic set-up below will convert digital broadcasts so that they can be received and viewed on your analog TV.
channel 3 or 4. Using the remote that comes with your Converter Box, follow the on-screen setup guide to scan for available DTV channels. If your Converter Box includes an "analog pass-through" feature, this set up will also allow you to receive any stations that still broadcast in analog in your area. Follow the instructions that come with your Converter Box for how to tune analog channels.
converter box and Set-Up #1, you can watch and record one channel at a time. If you use two converter boxes and Set-up #2, you can watch one channel while recording a different channel. Set-up #1: Watch and Record One Channel at a Time Your new Converter box will come with a second coaxial wire and a remote control. Before you begin, you should unplug the power from your TV, VCR, and antenna, if you are using an indoor, amplified antenna. Step 1.
Step 4. Plug the loose end of wire #2 into the “Out to TV (RF)” port on Converter Box “A”. Step 5. Plug one end of coaxial wire #3 into one of the “Out” ports on the 2-way splitter. Plug the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on Converter Box “A”. Step 6. Plug one end of coaxial wire #4 into the other “Out” port on the 2-way splitter. Plug the other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on Converter Box “B”. Step 7. Plug one end of coaxial wire #5 into the “Out to TV (RF)” port on Converter Box “B”.
