from the office of Atlanta City Councilman Ceasar C. Mitchell

Contact: Contact Councilman Ceasar C. Mitchell at (404) 330-6052 or at ccmitchell@atlantaga.gov

What You Need to Know About DTV
Today the nation will transition to digital television when broadcasters begin airing exclusively digital signals – and analog television sets that are not connected to a converter box, cable or satellite will stop working.

Consumers can call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv.gov to learn more.

It is important that all households and families are prepared for the transition. Please share this e-mail with your friends and family who might be affected.

What Is The Digital TV (DTV) Transition?
Currently, many over-the-air stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital TV formats.  By June 12, 2009, all full-power TV stations will broadcast only in digital. The DTV transition will affect those who watch free, over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears”).  If you watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you must take action now.

Why Are Broadcast Stations Switching to Digital?
Federal law requires the switch, which will free up the airwaves for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, allow broadcasters to offer programming with better picture and sound quality and offer more programming choices, and allow for advanced wireless services for consumers.

What Should I Do to Be Ready?
You have three choices:
1. Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box
Your local broadcasters might make the transition before the June 12th deadline, and some already have. So be ready. Digital-to-analog converter boxes are in stores and have a one-time cost of $40-$70. To help you pay for the boxes, the U.S. Government is offering two $40 coupons per household. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). For more information on the coupons, visit www.DTV2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634(TTY).

2. Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner)
You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television. You only need a digital TV (or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box). Plus, you should not need a new antenna if you get good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with your existing antenna.

3. Subscribe to a paid TV service
If your TV set receives local broadcast stations through a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV, it is already prepared for the DTV transition. Cable companies are not required to transition or switch any of their channels to digital. However, if you have an analog TV that does not receive local broadcast stations through your paid provider, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts on that TV.

For More Information:
1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice)
1-888-TELL-FCC(TTY)
DTVINFO@FCC.GOV