Short for Digital Television, DTV is a digital television standard that will replace analog (or NTSC analog) broadcast television transmission. Basically, this impacts the way a broadcast station transmits their signal from their tower to the point of reception.
It's important to be clear on what channels are being affected by the DTV transition. A U.S. Senate panel set a February 17, 2009 deadline for television stations like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX to switch entirely from "analog" to "digital." This means that millions of analog TV sets will no longer display broadcast TV signals unless they are connected to cable or some kind of digital service/converter past the 2009 deadline. This transition will ultimately affect the local broadcasters and the viewers who receive broadcast signals via an off-air antenna.
For Buckeye CableSystem customers, the DTV transition should be an easy one. With the permission of the broadcast stations,* we will receive the new digital signal and will convert it into analog format so that all channels can be viewed on older analog television sets that are still connected to cable. Therefore, our customers should rest assured that Buckeye CableSystem is doing everything we can to ensure old televisions will still function with the analog service they’ve come to expect and new digital televisions will receive the digital signal.
DTV Transition FAQs:
What is the DTV Transition?
Beginning February 17, 2009, local broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX are required to broadcast their signal digitally and will no longer transmit in analog format. Simply put, channels you’re accustomed to watching thanks to an off-air antenna, or “rabbit ears,” will no longer be provided in this standard analog format.
Will my TV still work after February 17, 2009?
It depends. Buckeye is planning to make it easy by continuing to provide local broadcast stations in the format, either analog or digital, that is right for your equipment. So, if you still want your local channels on every TV in your home, but don't feel like dealing with vouchers, antennas or buying a new TV, Buckeye CableSystem is the solution.*
There is also the option of add-on converters that allow your analog TV set to pick up and display over-the-air digital signals which will be available from retailers early in 2008. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has agreed to help cover the expense of these converters. A household can apply for up to two coupons that will help offset the cost and they must be redeemed within 3 months of receipt. For more information on the converter coupon program, go to www.dtv.gov or call toll free: 1-888-DTV-2009. For more information about DTV transition and whether your TV will continue to work after February 17, 2009, visit some of these helpful websites:
www.dtvtransition.org
www.dtv.gov
www.myceknowhow.com
www.ntia.doc.gov
www.ceretailers.org
What will happen to my old TV if I don’t do anything by February 17, 2009?
As we mentioned earlier, our goal is to receive permission from broadcasters so our customers are not affected. Because, with the cooperation of the broadcasters your current TV will continue to work just like in the past. If you’re not a cable TV or digital cable TV customer and you don’t have some type of digital tuner or service hooked up to your television, it will not function past February 17, 2009.
How do I know if my TV set is able to receive digital signals by itself?
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 is already configured to receive and display the new digital over-the-air TV signals that will be transmitted in February 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 television 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 developing the DTV format).
Here are some general guidelines that may help:
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If you bought your TV set before 1998, it probably doesn't have a digital tuner at all. Almost every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional "analog" set that can't display digital TV signals without either a special converter or a cable TV connection.
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If you bought a big-screen, projection TV between 1998 and 2004, it's possible there's 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.
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If you've purchased a new TV set since 2004, your chances of having a built-in digital tuner improve dramatically. Starting in 2004, many of the television sets sold at popular electronics stores have featured digital tuners that will allow you receive the new digital over-the-air broadcasts. But be wary: 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 special converter or a cable TV connection. |
Looking to buy a new digital TV set?
Visit http://www.myceknowhow.com/digitalTelevision.cfm to learn more about digital TVs and how to find one that's right for you.
What should I do to prepare for the DTV transition?
First, take an inventory of the television sets in your home. Even if you're a cable customer, you may have one or more sets that aren't hooked up to cable, and instead use an antenna to gather in over-the-air TV signals. These secondary sets are likely to be "analog" - that is, they probably don't have the digital tuners that are featured in all of the "digital" TV sets your local electronics dealer sells today. These older sets won't be able to tune in the signals that TV stations will start broadcasting in February 2009.
*The right to retransmit a broadcaster’s signal is subject to obtaining permission from the broadcaster and may be withheld.
If you have more questions or concerns please contact us at 419-724-9800 (NW Ohio), 1-800-866-3260 (SE Michigan) or 419-627-0800 (Erie County).
 Have a question regarding DTV and Buckeye CableSystem service?
Click here to chat online with a Buckeye CableSystem Representive.
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