The federal government has set February 17, 2009 as the digital transition cut-off date. This means the current simulcasting of both analog and digital HDTV/SDTV broadcasts will end and only digital TV broadcasts will be available over the air. All facilities with television systems that are utilizing off-air programming must be upgraded before then in order to maintain program delivery.

The current target date for the completion of the digital transition is February 17, 2009. The date has been moved back several times since it’s original inception. In light of all the recent public service announcements that the FCC has been running, many in the industry feel that this date is going to stick. When the transition completion date is reached the analog spectrum will revert back to the FCC.

In the 1990s, Congress determined that broadcast stations must transition from analog television broadcasting to digital television broadcasting (DTV). Converting to DTV will free up parts ("bands") of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum, allowing these bands to be used for public safety and emergency services, such as police, fire and medical services, and new wireless services, such as wireless broadband. Because public safety and emergency services have become even more important today, Congress established a "hard" DTV transition deadline that requires all full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts after February 17, 2009. (The deadline for low power television and translator stations will be established at a future date.) Until then, most television stations will continue broadcasting on both their digital and analog channels. Already today, more than 1,600 television stations throughout the United States are broadcasting digital programs.

The FCC did not mandate the use of the specific format, so broadcasters are free to choose which digital format to transmit, even if it means mixing formats. There are eighteen ATSC digital television formats; four Video Graphics Array (VGA) formats, eight Standard Definition (SDTV) formats, and six High Definition (HDTV) formats. In order to help the adoption of digital television, the FCC required ATSC Digital Tuners to be integrated into new televisions. The schedule for the television tuner transition is:

36" and above = July 1, 2004 for 50% of all units; July 1, 2005 for all units
25" to 36" = July 1, 2005 for 50% of all units; July 1, 2006 for all units
13" to 24" = July 1, 2006 for 50% of all units; July 1, 2007 for all units

• Broadcast Over Air (Off-Air) - 8-Level Vestigial Sideband Modulation (8VSB)

• Cable System - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM, also see clear QAM)

• Satellite System - Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK/8PSK)

Digital Television offers many benefits for both broadcasters and consumers. Digital Television is a more efficient transmission method than Analog Television. In the same bandwidth a broadcaster/operator can provide one analog channel of programming, OR one high definition program AND/OR multiple standard definition programs simultaneously. When broadcasters provide multiple programs within one channel, it is called multicasting. The number of programs that a broadcaster/operator can transmit in a single channel depends on the level of picture detail, or resolution. The digital streams offer improved security to prevent unauthorized people from receiving services that they are not authorized to view.

For the consumer, there are also benefits of going digital. There is an increased video programming capacity within the same bandwidth, providing more viewing options for the consumer. One of the biggest improvements is the improved picture quality. The standard definition programs have an improved quality because the digital programming data stream is not subject to the degradation that takes place with the traditional analog transmission. All of the marketing hype around the quality of the HDTV images is well founded. The HDTV images have very vivid, crisp pictures and vibrant colors that are realistic and lifelike. Sometime after the digital transition is complete, there will be increased programming options like interactivity and video-on-demand.

The most basic version of 'Digital Television' is Standard Definition Television (SDTV), which is nothing more than a digital version of the traditional Analog viewing that we have been using for the last half century. The version that has generated all of the media activity and industry excitement is High Definition Television (HDTV). HDTV differs from SDTV and Analog in that it has; Higher Resolution - 1080 or 720 lines rather than 480 for SDTV and Analog, Widescreen Format - 16:9 rather than 4:3, Superior Audio - Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound which is better than traditional analog stereo.

In the current Analog television system, images are created by interlace scanning, which uses two fields of alternating horizontal scanning lines to form a full picture, referred to as 480 interlace or 480i. In HDTV, the number of scanning lines can be doubled to 1080 interlace or 1080i, providing more detailed images that practically jump off the television screen. It is these lifelike images that are creating a flurry of business in the consumer and professional electronics industries as individuals and facilities start to upgrade the quality of their viewing locations. HDTV can also be broadcast as a "Progressive Image" (720p) like a computer monitor. In this format, the full frame fills the screen from top to bottom, eliminating scan lines altogether.

High Definition TV (HDTV)

HDTV in widescreen provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all DTV formats. A current analog TV picture is made up of 480 horizontal lines. An HDTV picture can have up to 1080 lines, allowing for sharp picture detail. The most common formats are 720p ("p" stands for progressive scan) and 1080i ("i" stands for interlaced) with either 720 progressively (non-interlaced) scanned lines or 1080 interlaced lines. Combined with digitally-enhanced sound technology, HDTV achieves a new benchmark for sound and picture quality in television.

Standard Definition TV (SDTV)

SDTV is the baseline display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV is usually in the traditional 4x3 aspect ratio, but may be wide-screen 16x9 format. SDTV and analog TV can deliver up to 480 interlaced (480i) resolution, although analog TV may be lower.

Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)

EDTV is a step up from analog TV and SDTV. Also called 480 progressive (480p), EDTV is widescreen 16x9 or traditional 4x3 format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as good as HDTV. Traditional DVDs are encoded as 480p (although newer HD-DVD and Blu-ray players allow viewing of HDTV discs).

DTV and Analog TV - What will work?

Today, most people still have analog televisions. Analog TVs have been used since the beginning of television to receive and display programming. Your analog television will work as it does today until the transition to digital is completed. Even then, you will be able to continue using your analog television. See the Digital Transition - Consumer Basics FAQ for more information.

Analog televisions will work with a digital converter box

If you receive TV programming over the air using a roof-top or rabbit ears antenna, you will be able to purchase a digital converter box (sometimes referred to as a digital-to-analog converter box) to enable your analog TV to continue working after February 17, 2009. You will also need a digital converter box for each device you have that only has an analog tuner - such as an analog-only VCR or DVD recorder. A digital converter box also may receive multicast channels and high definition programming and display them in analog picture quality.

Beginning in 2008, your household may be able to receive up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has the responsibility for administering the coupon program. Additional information can be found at www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009.

Cable and Satellite TV Viewers

If you are a cable customer, you may need a set-top box to receive DTV signals and convert them into the format of your current analog television, even after the DTV transition is complete. If you are a satellite customer you may need a different set-top box in order to receive high definition (HDTV) programming. Check with your cable or satellite provider to determine if and when you will need a set-top box.

DTV uses the same antennas as analog TV

If you already have a good VHF and UHF antenna, either indoors or on your roof, you don't have to buy an antenna that is "HD Ready." DTV broadcasters have been assigned channels in the VHF and UHF bands, between 54 and 700 MHz, where analog channels 2 to 51 are now. Therefore, as long as a DTV signal is available, your existing antenna should still work after the transition is complete.

 

DTV takes advantage of your home theater surround sound

Analog television broadcasts sound just like FM stereo radio. DTV broadcasts are digital and allow many more options, including Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, just like a DVD. With a digital converter box, the digital surround sound will be converted to analog for your current television or home theater system.

What should your customers do to be ready?

They will have three choices:

1) Connect their analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box. Digital-to-analog converter boxes will be in stores in 2008 and will have a one-time cost of $40-$70. To help consumers pay for the boxes, the U.S. Government will be offering two $40 coupons per household. They will be able to request the coupons beginning in January of 2008. For more information on the coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). The current broadcast antenna should work for digital broadcasts.

2) Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner). Remember that viewers do not need to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to enjoy digital broadcast television. Plus, current broadcast antenna should work for digital broadcasts.

3) Subscribe to a paid TV service. If viewers subscribe to a paid service such as cable or satellite TV, they should contact their provider to see what, if any, equipment they may need. Remember that viewers will need a digital-to-analog converter box for any analog TV in the home not connected to the paid TV service.

See the Digital Transition - Consumer Basics FAQ for more information.

Why Multicom?

Multicom has been a leader in the CATV and satellite industry for over 25 years. In that time the industry has evolved from what is now considered 'simple technology', to the ever-vibrant and high-tech world that we now live in. As companies come and go, Multicom prides itself on keeping pace with today's technology as well as acting proactively and forecasting the products of tomorrow.

Multicom's website has become a relied-upon resource and knowledge-base for the industry. From its unique Comparison Charts, to the MFH-2 Guide, we pride ourselves in providing both the information resources you need, as well as the products necessary to keep pace with our ever-evolving industry, in an easy to read format that everyone can understand.

However, if you have questions, our sales engineers are available to assist you in any way possible. After all, your customer's satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. If your customers are happy with you, you'll be happy with us! Feel free to contact us!

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