The digital television (DTV) transition

Broadcast television stations are converting to digital by February 17, 2009.
You may need to take action to continue receiving your favorite TV programs.

Do I need to take action?		Digital television is coming! February 17, 2009 Are you ready?
Analog shutoff tests Dec. 17 & Jan. 17
What are my options?
How do I get my TV Converter Box Coupons?
What kind of converter box should I buy?
Recommended converter boxes
For more information
Help spread the word

Do I need to take action?

- If you have cable TV, satellite TV, or a pay TV service, you do NOT need to do anything.  You will continue to receive all the TV channels you get now.  (You do NOT need to upgrade to “digital cable” or any other service.)

- If you have a TV with a digital tuner, you also do NOT need to do anything.  Many TVs sold since 2004 have digital tuners.  (If you’re unsure if your TV has a digital tuner, check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website.  Also, if your TV has an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC”, it has a digital tuner.) 

- If your TV set uses an antenna, such as "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna AND it doesn’t have a digital tuner, you need to take action to continue to receive all the TV channels you get now.  Continue reading to find out what you can do.

What are my options?

1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009. Most converter boxes cost $50-$70.  Using the TV Converter Box Coupon (see below), you will pay $10-$30.

or

2. Connect to a cable, satellite or other pay TV service.  (More expensive.)

or

3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.  (More expensive.)  You do NOT need to buy a high-definition television (HDTV) – even more expensive!

How do I get my TV Converter Box Coupons?

The federal government’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, which can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.  Apply for your coupons by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), apply online at www.DTV2009.gov.

You will receive your coupon(s) in the mail.  The program ends on March 31, 2009.

What kind of converter box should I buy?

We recommend purchasing a TV converter box with analog pass-through.   These converter boxes will receive the new digital signals from the major TV stations, as well as the analog signals that will continue to be broadcast by smaller TV stations and “translator” stations that serve rural areas of New Mexico and other states.

In addition, we recommend purchasing a TV converter box with advanced captioning capabilities.  These converter boxes will allow your TV to display closed-captions and other services used by deaf and hearing-impaired people. 

All of the converter boxes listed below feature analog pass-through and advanced captioning.

Recommended converter boxes

printer friendly version of this list

For more information

The Digital TV Transition (FCC website)
www.dtv.gov

TV Converter Box Coupon Program
www.dtv2009.gov

Digital Television Transition (Leadership Conference on Civil Rights website)
www.civilrights.org/dtv

DTV converter box reviews, ratings, and comparisons
http://dtvconverterboxes.blogspot.com/2008/07/analog-to-digital-converter-box-review.html

Help spread the word

Download, print and distribute these mini-flyers about the DTV transition in New Mexico.
(Before copying, lay out four mini-flyers on each side of a letter-size page.)

Front of mini-flyer		Back of mini-flyer

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