Digital TV Myths

FACT: You do not have to buy a new TV in 2009. Older TV’s will still work, however, you will need to get a digital converter box to act as your TV’s new tuner because older TV’s don’t have the ability to process digital TV signals on their own.

FACT: Broadcast stations will still provide over-the-air television for free in 2009, but you need a digital tuner to get it. If you have a new TV, you’re set. If you want to keep using your old one, you just need a digital converter box. You don’t need to get cable or satellite or pay any monthly fees to get your local channels.

FACT: The government has announced a program to offer coupons to citizens who want to purchase digital converter boxes inexpensively (likely around $40).

FACT: Cable and satellite companies have nothing to do with the digital TV switch whatsoever. If you get your television by cable or satellite, the digital TV switch should mean absolutely nothing to you unless you use an antenna to get local stations (ie. ABC, CBS, NBC). The 2009 digital TV switch means that local television stations will stop broadcasting traditional analog signals, in favor of digital signals. This gives them the ability to offer new services like high-definition TV and multiple channels on one signal.

FACT: Digital TV doesn’t necessarily mean “high-definition” television. Most networks broadcast primetime shows and sporting events in high-definition, but that is only a fraction of their broadcast day. Not all shows are high-definition now, and a lot will not be after 2009.

A broadcaster could opt not to broadcast HDTV programming after 2009 but would still have to transmit digitally. With digital broadcasts and tuners, stations will have the ability to expand programming by offering multiple channels without having multiple transmitters. For example, WBAY currently broadcasts two channels on their digital signal — their standard channel and a 24-hour weather channel. WPNE broadcasts five channels on their digital signal.

FACT: There is no “special antenna” for HDTV. Digital signals are transmitted on the same VHF and UHF channels in use now. If you have a good VHF/UHF antenna, you will be fine. Most digital channels exist on the UHF band, and certain broadcasters (like WLUK) will transmit their digital signals in 2009 on VHF channels.

FACT: Yes and no. Satellite is digital, but unless you have a high-definition television with an HDMI cable between your receiver and TV, your television is receiving an analog signal from your satellite box. In either case, nothing for you will likely change in 2009. It gets a bit murkier when it comes to cable. If you plug cable directly into your older TV, you have analog TV. If you have “digital cable” but don’t have a high-definition television, your digital cable box is still sending an analog signal to your TV. If you have digital cable and a high-definition television, your service is digital if it is connected by an HDMI cable. However, there are certain channels (usually channels up through the 70-range) that are transmitted analog whether you have digital cable or not.