Q:  Will my television work after February 17, 2009?
A:  Analog television sets receiving free TV using an antenna will not work after February 17, 2009.  Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. 

Q:  What are my options so I can continue to get TV after February 17, 2009?
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 February 17, 2009, or
2.  Connect to cable, satellite, or other pay service, or
3.  Purchase a television with a digital tuner.  Recommendation for FMCTV customers:  Purchase a digital TV with an internal QAM tuner.

Q:  I’m a FMCTV cable subscriber.  How will the digital conversion affect me?

You own a digital tv
If you already have a digital television with a QAM tuner and it is connected to our cable tv system, the analog to digital transition will have no impact on you.  You will continue to receive your TV programming as usual after the transition. 

You own an analog TV
If you have a traditional analog television and it is connected to our cable tv system, you have a couple of options.  You may:

1.  Do nothing, but you may have fewer channels available to you
You will continue to receive all of the analog satellite channels (Ex:  History Channel, FOX News, ESPN, Disney Channel, etc) and most analog over-the-air local channels (Omaha, Des Moines, Sioux City). You may not, however, be able to pick up a few of the over-the-air local channels.  FMCTC will not be informed until December 31, 2008, what local channels will be specified as ‘must carry’ in analog and digital.  Watch our newsletter and website, www.fmctc.com., and we will keep you informed as we learn more of these ‘must carry’ broadcast requirements.

2.  Upgrade to a digital signal and receive all of the available channels

• Purchase a DTV converter box with a QAM tuner that plugs into your existing analog set.  Please note that older analog tv sets with a 75 ohm coaxial connection will not work with all of the converter boxes.
  A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog tv set.  The box converts the digital television signal into analog making it viewable on your analog TV.
  The converter boxes cost $80-$140 and are available for purchase at retail stores that sell electronic equipment.  These converter boxes do not qualify for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) coupon program. 

• Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital QAM tuner.  You will receive all of the digital channels and many of them offer high definition programs. 

Q:  I receive my tv signal from a rooftop antenna.  How will the digital conversion affect me? 
A:  Every household in America that receives free over-the-air television signals through antennas connected to television sets will need to upgrade to a digital signal in order to receive desired local broadcast stations from Omaha, Des Moines & Sioux City. 

You can upgrade to a digital signal by:

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

           The boxes cost between $50-$70, and are available for purchase at retail stores that sell
           electronic equipment. Households can request up to two $40 coupons from the National
           Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) that can be used toward the
           purchase of a converter box. 

             2. Purchasing a new television set with a built-in digital ATSC tuner.

Q:  How do I know if I have an analog or a digital TV?
A:  What you need to know is whether your TV set has something called a “digital tuner” already built in.    If it does, your TV set will work after February 17, 2009.  The best way to determine whether your TV set has a digital tuner built in is to consult your owner’s manual.  If that’s not possible, you may be able to look up information about your TV set on the manufacturer’s website.  Or, you can take an up-close look at your TV set.  In any case, you’re trying to find out if your set has an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is the DTV format).

Here are some general guidelines that may help:

• A TV set made before 1998 was a traditional “analog” set.  If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it may have a built-in digital tuner inside.  But chances aren’t great.  Only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (and generally only those 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
• If you purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically.  Starting in 2004, many of the TV sets sold at popular electronics stores feature digital tuners that will work after February 17, 2009, but it’s not a sure thing.  Even some of the newer TV sets are purely display monitors that lack the internal circuitry needed to pick up digital broadcasts.  Usually these sets have been advertised as “HD-Ready” or “HDTV monitor” sets.  That means they can display digital and high-definition signals, but they need help getting those signals in the first place.  You’ll still need a digital tuner. 
• Since March 1, 2007, all newly-produced TV sets have been required to include a digital receiver.  In addition, since May 25, 2007, retailers have been required by law to prominently label any analog only TV remaining in stock. 
   

Q:  How do I install a converter box?
A:  Converter boxes plug into TV sets, either in the back or front, depending on your TV.  You will use a supplied coaxial cable to connect the converter to the TV.  The red, white, and yellow auxiliary outputs can be used an as alternative to the coaxial cable if your set is equipped with corresponding inputs. You will still need your antenna, which works with the TV converter box.  Each TV converter box will come with installation instructions from the manufacturer. 
            Stop by our office and pick up a guide which will help you understand what a digital television conversion box looks like and how easy it is to install and use. 

Q:  Do I need to purchase a TV converter box that is the same brand as my TV?
A:  No.

Q:  Will my VCR or DVD player still work once I plug my converter box into my TV?
A:  The analog equipment you currently use will continue to work with (output to) your analog TV set just as before, but they will not be able to receive over-the-air programming without the TV converter box.  Attach the converter to your VCR, DVD-R. etc. instead of hooking it directly to your TV.

Q:  Can I start using my TV converter box now or do I need to wait until after February 17, 2009 for it to work?
A:  Consumers can begin enjoying the benefits of digital television today.  Because most full-power stations are currently broadcasting both in digital and analog, viewers can plug in their converter boxes and generally receive a clearer picture and “multicast” channels, where they are available.

Q:  Who runs the Coupon Program?
A:  The Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Q:  Will I receive High-definition TV with a converter box?
A:  No.  Analog televisions are not capable of displaying High-Definition resolution, but the picture will generally be better.  If you want to view High-Definition TV then you will need one of the newer TV sets rated for “High Definition” resolution.

Q:  Where can I find out more information about the digital transition?
A:  There are several useful websites you can visit:

• Coupon Program www.dtv2009.gov administered by NTIA

• Private Sector--Digital TV transition www.dtvtransition.org administered by the DTV Transition Colation

• Government--Digital TV transition www.dtv.gov administered by the Federal Communications Commission

• Retailer participation--www.ntiadtv.gov administered by NTIA for retailers.

Source:  U.S. Department of Commerce