When, Why, and What?

• When is the digital TV (DTV) transition?
• Why are we switching to DTV?
• What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting?
  
  

Are You Prepared?

• Will the transition affect me? Take this test and find out.
• How can I prepare for the DTV transition?
• How do I know if my television has a built-in digital tuner?
• What if I receive my television transmissions from a cable company?

My television doesn’t have a digital tuner and I don’t have cable—Now What?

• Will I need a new television?
• How do I get a set-top converter box for my analog television?
• What is the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Assistance Program?

Need to apply for a coupon?

• Fill out the application.
• Is it true that P.O. box addresses and nursing home residents aren’t eligible? No. Read more
  
• Applied for a coupon but it hasn’t shown up? Check your coupon’s status.
• Where can I use the coupon to buy a converter?
• Which converters can I purchase with the coupon?
• Is there a time limit on when I can apply for and use my coupon? Yes. See below.

Do you know what you need to know?

• Take the DTV Deputy quiz and find out how much you know about the transition.

Environmental Concerns

• Will there be an effort to recycle analog televisions?

• The Senate Commerce Committee met September 23, 2008, to discuss the coming transition on February 17, 2009, to DTV. A summary of the proceeding is provided.
  • TIA Summary of Senate Commerce Committee DTV Transition Hearing (Word Document, 47.5kb

• What does the transition mean for Public Safety bandwidth?
• The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and its role in building public safety as required by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005

• Will there be more spectrum space because of the transition?

News coverage, government press releases and testimony related to DTV transition.

Recent News and Topics

• LA Asian TV Station Aims to Smooth the DTV Transition (Market Watch)
• Ahead of the Bell: DTV transition (CNNMoney)
• TV Transition Tension Rising (Broadcast Newsroom)
• The Digital TV Switch and You (TechNewsWorld)
• New CEA Survey Shows Strong Growth in Consumer Awareness of the DTV Transition (Market Watch)
• Everything You Need to Know About the Digital TV Transition (Popular Mechanics)
• DTV Switch on U.S.-Mexico Border Concerns Reps. (Broadcasting and Cable)
• Digital Gold up for Grabs (The Indypendent)
• A Grace Period for DTV Transition? (Broadcast Newsroom)

DTV Transition Test in Wilmington, NC

Read about Wilmington, North Carolina, the first city in America to make the switch from analog to digital television. The test started on September 8, 2008, when the city’s broadcasters officially changed to digital signals.

• Senate to Hear Update on Switch to Digital TV (New York Times)
• Panel: Analog-Shut Off-Test Offered Insights For Feb. 17 (Twice)
• Wilmington, NC Lives the DTV Future Now (Home Theater)
• Hill Keeps DTV on Front Burner (Broadcasting & Cable)
• DTV Transition Premiers in Wilmington, North Carolina (Government Technology)
• DTV Switch Reveals Hitch; Viewers Lose Local Stations (Wired Network
• Reaction to Wilmington DTV Switch (Broadcasting & Cable)
• Baker Pitches ‘Apply, Buy, Try’ DTV Message (Broadcasting & Cable)
• House Holds Hearing on Digital Television Transition (Consumer Affairs.com)
• Wilmington's digital TV transition: the next day (Washington Times)

DTV.GOV Information

http://www.dtv.gov/wilmington/index.html

Press Releases and Testimony

Wilmington, N.C., on Track for Sept. 8 Digital Television Transition
Vast Majority of Wilmington, North Carolina Residents were Aware of the Early Digital Television Transition in their Viewing Area.

• News Release with Day One Overview of DTV Transition Helpline Calls: Word | Acrobat
• Day Two Overview 9/9/08: Word | Acrobat
• Day Three Overview 9/10/08: Word | Acrobat
• Day Four Overview 9/11/08: Word | Acrobat
• Day Five Overview 9/12/08: Word | Acrobat
• Day Six Overview 9/15/08: Word | Acrobat
• Weekly Overviews: Word | Acrobat
• Written Statement of Chairman Martin before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, U.S. House of Representatives. Word | Acrobat Acrobat Attachments: [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]

Key to the successful transition to DTV is viewer education. The following links to DTV Countdown clocks, banners, logos, press releases, information sheets, key leader bios, etc. are available for spreading the word.

DigitalTV Transition—Extensive toolkit and links.

• PSAs—Service announcements used in Wilmington for DTV switch over
• Outreach Toolkit—Countdown clocks, sample news releases, and posters
• DTV Deputy Quiz—Fun, interactive quiz for individuals to test how much they know about the coming transition.
• DTV2009.Gov—Information sheets, biographies of key leaders at National Telecommunications and Information Administration, story ideas.
• DTVTransition.org—Online Quiz to test one’s knowledge of coming digital transition.
• Get Ready For Digital TV—Provides information and TV spots.

More information

There are a number of sites available for further reading about the coming DTV transition. An annotated list follows.

• CERetailers—Maintained by Consumer Electronic Retailers Association
• Digital Tips--A valuable resource provided by the Consumer Electronics Association, has a handy "Quick Start Guide" to install a TV Converter Box and other useful tools.
• DTV.GOV—A branch of the Federal Communications Commission providing up-to-date information on the DTV transition.
• DTVAnswers—Maintained by the National Association of Broadcasters
• DTVTransition—Maintained by the DTV Transition organization.
• Get Ready for Digital TV—Maintained by National Cable and Telecommunications Association
• National Cable and Telecommunications Association
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration—Federal agency responsible for executing the president’s technology initiatives.
• TV Converter Box Coupon Program—All the information you need to apply for and receive converter box coupons.