Three years ago the FCC announced that on February 17, 2009 all television broadcasters would be required to switch from analog to digital transmissions, using a new frequency range in the available spectrum over the air. The old frequency ranges that were used for VHF and UHF television broadcasts are being reallocated for new commercial wireless and emergency services.  A bill was passed this week in congress to delay the switchover by four months to give affected consumers more time to purchase new equipment.  Many stations, however, are reportedly switching over as scheduled, so some viewers may find themselves without TV after all.

What does this all mean to television viewers here in the Monterey Area?  If you are a cable or satellite TV customer, you don't have anything to worry about.  Your old TVs will work just the same as they always have--no new equipment is necessary. The reason is that these companies have control over their own broadcast signals, most of which are already digital. In the case of cable TV, customers who currently subscribe to basic service without a "cable box" are getting that signal in analog. Comcast has said that they have no plans to drop this option.

So the only viewers who will be affected by the conversion to digital TV are those who have older TVs and still use the old "rabbit ears" or roof antennas to receive their television programs. Those consumers will have a few options to receive the new type of television broadcasts: 1) install a digital converter box"; 2) upgrade their televisions to new models with digital tuners; 3) subscribe to cable or satellite service. For those who choose to stay with an antenna for over-the-air digital broadcasts it should not be necessary to replace the old analog antenna with a digital or "HD" antenna.

One benefit of the digital conversion is that viewers in some areas may now be able to receive major network television broadcasts in High Definition without subscribing to cable or satellite.  With a new model HDTV and the right type of antenna you may, depending on your location, be able to receive High Definition from the new Digital Television (DTV) broadcasts of the local network affiliates (KSBW/NBC, KION/CBS, KCBA/FOX, KQET/PBS). Comcast customers receiving the basic service may also be able to receive the local affiliates in HD without a cable set top box.

For more information on the DTV transition, go to the Federal Government's web site at www.dtv.gov. If you still have questions or need assistance upgrading your television equipment, call StreamLife and we'll be happy to help you.