Inside the Valley: Preparing for the DTV Transition

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Everything You Need to Know About the DTV Transition


The switch to digital television (DTV) is coming. Get ready for dramatically better television.

On February 17, 2009, the U.S. government is requiring all full-power television stations to broadcast exclusively with a digital signal. (Click here to see story about bill proposing to extend the deadline along the U.S.-Mexico border.)

Television sets connected to cable or satellite will not be affected and will continue to receive programming after February 17, 2009.

If you watch TV with an over-the-air antenna, you'll need a DTV tuner to see these digital channels. TV sets manufactured as of March 2007 have a built-in tuner. Older TV sets will need a converter box in order for it to display the digital signal.

But...

We live along the Texas-Mexico border. And we can watch channels from Mexico. Those channels aren't required by their government to broadcast digital signals.

There are also some low-power television stations which the federal law doesn't cover. They're not required to broadcast in digital either. (Click here for a list of these stations.)

What does this mean?

In order to see the digital signals from KRGV and other full-power US television stations AND watch stations from Mexico broadcasting in analog, you'll need an "analog-pass-through" converter box.

Want to watch all over-the-air local channels from the US and Mexico?
  1. Buy a new TV set which has an analog and digital tuner built-in. Attach a suitable antenna.

    You'll just be flipping channels as always. Cost depends on what type of TV you want to buy.

    Or...

  2. Buy a digital converter box with "analog-pass-through" capability. Attach it and a suitable antenna to your TV. This one-time purchase of a digital converter should add years of life to your existing analog TV set.

    Basically, if you want to see digital channels, turn the converter box on and change channels on the converter box. To see analog channels, turn the converter box off and use the TV set to switch channels.


    Here is a list of "analog-pass-through" converter boxes currently available    :

    • APEX DT250
    • AccessHD DTA1030D
    • AccessHD DTA1050D
    • AccessHD DTA1080D
    • Artec T3AP Pro
    • CASTi CAX-03
    • COSHIP N9901T
    • CRAIG Electronics International Ltd. CVD506
    • Cleartech CT DCB100A
    • ComponexX CX-900A
    • Digital Stream DSP6500C
    • Digital Stream DSP7700T
    • Digital Stream DTX9950
    • Digital Stream DX8700
    • DISH NETWORK TR-40CRA by Dish Network
    • DISH Network DTVPal
    • Dish Network DISH Network DTVPal Plus
    • GE 23333
    • GE 23334
    • Insignia NS-DXA1-APT
    • Magnavox TB-100MG9
    • Magnavox TB100MW9A
    • Magnavox TB110MW9
    • Magnavox TB110MW9A
    • MaxMedia LuTRO
    • Memorex MVCB1000
    • Philco TB100HH9
    • Philco TB150HH9
    • RCA DTA800B1
    • SUNKEY SK-801ATSC
    • Tivax STB-T8
    • Venturer STB7766G1
    • Winegard RCDT09A
    • ZINWELL ZAT-970A
    • Zenith DTT901

    They generally range in price from $40-80. Click here to apply for a government voucher to help defray the cost of the converter boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)Click here to email your question


What is Digital Television (DTV)?

Digital Television (DTV) is an innovative new type of broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. DTV can also offer multiple programming choices, interactive capabilities and data services such as significantly enhanced closed captioning.

Why the switch?

Under legislation passed by congress - the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 - free local broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on February 17, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format.

What are the benefits of DTV?

Digital television allows stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures, sound quality and high definition television (HDTV), DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of programming at once. This is known as "multicasting." DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.

Who will be affected?

Consumers who receive free television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners - and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider - will be affected by the transition.
At least 19.6 million households receive only over-the-air television signals in their homes, and approximately 70 million television sets are at risk of losing their signals after February 17, 2009, if owners of these sets do not make the easy transition to DTV.

How can I Switch to DTV?

You can make the switch to DTV by following one of three easy steps by February 17, 2009:

  1. DTV converter box: Purchasing a DTV converter box that plugs into your existing analog set. A converter box will enable you to receive free television reception, and the boxes will be available for purchase in early 2008. At that time, the federal government will provide $40 coupons that you may use toward the purchase of these boxes.

  2. New television set: Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.

  3. Paid service: Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider to continue using your analog TV set, if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that
    service.


What is a DTV converter box?

A DTV converter box is an easy -to- install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.

When can I get a coupon for a DTV converter box?

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue coupons for DTV converter boxes in early 2008. Households will be able to apply for up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, which must be redeemed within three months of receipt. Go to www.dtv2009.gov for more information. You can also call 1-888-DTV-2009.

Can I keep my analog TV set?

Yes. Buying a new digital television set isn't the only option you have for navigating the DTV transition. If you wish to continue using your analog set, you must consider one of the following options to make the switch to digital television:

  1. Purchase a DTV converter box, which will convert the new digital signal into the analog format for older televisions.

  2. Switch to a cable, satellite or telephone company service provider to receive the new digital signal.

How do I know if I have an analog or digital television set?

To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number.

Is HDTV the same thing as DTV?

No. HDTV is the highest quality of DTV, but it is only one of several formats. In addition to HDTV, the most common format is Standard Definition Television (SDTV). Consumers who have high definition TV sets may receive free high definition television programming over the air using an antenna.

Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?

In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. If you currently need a roof-top antenna to receive television, the same antenna generally will be needed to receive DTV.

Low-Power TV Stations in the Valley


Area Covered Call Letters Channel
Brownsville KXIV-LP17
Brownsville KVTF-CA20
Brownsville KBDF-LP64
HarlingenKTIZ-LP52
La FeriaKFTN-CA30
McAllen JST-LP28
McAllenKTFV-CA32
McAllen KRZG-CA35
McAllenKNDF-LP57
McAllenKSFE-LP67
McAllenKSTI-LP69
RaymondvilleKRYM-LP46
Raymondville
KMAO-LP50
Rio Grande CityKRGT-LP6

Search

Digital Television Links

Get DTV answers from the National Association of Broadcasters

Visit the FCC DTV page for more information
Apply for a converter box coupon
1-888-DTV-2009
See list of converter boxes available (includes boxes allowing you to see analog stations)

http://mygreenelectronics.org/ 		Learn how to recycle your television

http://www.antennaweb.org/ 		Learn which antenna will get you the best reception