11.28.2007
Time running out on analog TVs
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Fifteen months from now, television as most people know it will end.
After Feb. 17, 2009, analog television will cease to exist.
If you rely on over-the-air broadcasts and don’t have a TV equipped to receive a digital signal, you won’t have a picture — unless you take some important steps ahead of time.
Currently, most major TV stations are providing two signals: analog — that’s the one they’ve been using since the dawn of TV; and digital — the new one that delivers a superior picture.
Consumers appear to be divided into two camps over the technology: those who think high-def is the best thing to happen to TV since color, or those who don’t think it’s necessary — or even understand it.
This rundown is dedicated to the latter.
What’s the difference between analog TV and digital?
Analog is the traditional, now old-fashioned, method of TV transmission. We can get technical here and say that it depends on magnetic waves to transmit the TV picture. But the important thing to know is that it’s subject to interference.
Analog TV is made up of horizontal lines; digital TV has more lines. High-definition is also configured like a movie screen — a picture ratio of 16x9 instead of analog’s ratio of 4x3.
Digital television transmits TV pictures and sound as “data bits.” That means a digital broadcaster has more bandwidth and therefore the ability to carry more information.
That information can be HDTV, the highest resolution for best picture and sound quality possible; or it can be multicasting, the ability to use that bandwidth to transmit several channels at once.
What’s the advantage of digital television to the viewer?
According to Peter Maroney, general manager of Richmond’s WTVR, there are four advantages for the viewer, starting with a better picture without “ghosting” or interference. What you see is exactly what’s broadcast.
“The first programming I saw on high-definition television was NFL football. I was struck by how clearly I could see such detail as the clear reflection of stadium lights in helmets or blades of grass on the field. I think this creates an almost subliminal enhancement of the emotional experience of television viewing, whether it be sports, reality, drama or comedy.”
Digital TV also offers better sound, a wide-screen picture and the promise of decreasing costs for the equipment.
“It has been well established that the cost of digital technology usually declines in mass production,” Maroney said. “Digital television consumers will find that today’s big screens cost less and are more compact today that many of the analog sets of the past decades.”
What’s the advantage to TV stations?
Along with that better picture, a broadcaster gets more pictures, as in multiple channels available in the digital bandwidth.
Why is this happening anyway? It’s not like I asked to have anything change.
As with most changes, there’s money involved.
As Maroney explains it, the transition from analog to digital was mandated by the federal government.
“By realigning and reallocating the public airwaves for additional uses, billions of dollars can be raised by auctioning off much of the spectrum left when stations like WTVR vacate their old analog assignments to their permanent digital assignment.”
The FCC is expected to auction off the analog bandwidth for other commercial and public safety communication use.
If I don’t have a digital TV set, does that mean my television will be obsolete after Feb. 17, 2009?
Yes and no.
Chances are, if you have a TV set purchased before 1998, you have an analog TV set. You won’t be able to receive a picture unless you invest in a converter that will convert the picture from digital to analog — or, if you have a cable or satellite TV provider.
Tell me more about converters. How much will they cost?
It’s estimated they’ll sell for about $70 when they go on sale. There are already plans for a $40 rebate, available to anyone, toward the purchase of a converter.
Suppose I have cable TV or Verizon FiOS. Will I still get a signal without a converter or a new TV?
Yes, says Mark Spiller, chief engineer for WCVE, Richmond’s public TV station that recently joined the local HD lineup.
“A lot of their customers have analog TV, and what they call their digital boxes are doing that conversion. They’re feeding digital channels locally into your homes. It’s beneficial to them to continue to offer that.”
And what about antennas I’ve treasured over the years? Are they obsolete as well once analog broadcasts end?
If you currently use an antenna, you’ll still need it if you’re using a converter with your analog TV.
Spiller recommends keeping your outside antenna — although you can keep it in the attic — but scrapping the old-fashioned bow tie antennas on the back of your set.
“Those antennas in your living room would be subject to any little thing that might interfere. If someone gets up, your signal might go away. So I’m recommending people get a UHF antenna and stick it in their attic.”
Any tips on buying a digital TV?
Yes, says Circuit City spokesman Jim Babb. Do some homework online, then go to a store where you can see TVs side by side. “There’s nothing like seeing the sets.”