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On February 17, 2009 - TV stations in the United States will comply with a Federal mandate to discontinue airing all programming in the analog format consumers have been watching since commercial television first began in 1941.
 TV stations in Michigan and throughout the country will transition to a digital format that will not be compatible with the majority of television sets, VCRs and similar products purchased prior to 1998.
How do I know if I already have a digital TV (DTV)? Click
here.
What this means to the typical television viewer will vary. If a consumer views local television signals through a cable or satellite provider, he or she will be unaffacted by the digital conversion and may continue to use their older, existing "analog" television.
However: If a consumer receives all or part of his or her television programming (primarily "local" channels) through use of an indoor or outdoor antenna, there are several options available in order to continue viewing these local television signals: |
- Purchase a new digital television set that includes a digital tuner;
- Subscribe to a cable or satellite provider that includes a local television package;
- Purchase a "converter box" that will allow continued use of an older television set with the new digital broadcast format. You will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set; your current antenna may be adequate, depending on your reception conditions.
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 Still confused? Take the online quiz and find out how the DTV Transition will affect you. Click the Online Quiz box on the right side of the screen or click here.
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Viewers using an existing analog receiver with an indoor or outdoor antenna may purchase a "set-top converter box". This box - installed between the antenna and TV set - will convert the new digital signals to the longtime analog format and allow continued use of an older television set.
These new converter boxes typically retail between $60 and $80 and are available for purchase at many retail locations.
The US Government is offering a converter box coupon program -and all households in the country will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each - to be used toward the purchase of up to two (2) digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Consumers may request coupons by visiting this site - or by calling:
1-888-DTV-2009.
See the most recent list of NTIA-certified retailers who are authorized to accept the converter box coupons here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Coupons are only valid for a 90-day period from the time they were mailed to consumers. It is important to use the coupon within the 90-day window as the program does not permit reissuing coupons to any household.
Installation of the set-top converter boxes can typically be performed by consumers with basic wiring skills - and is similar to the installation of a VCR or other video component. For a "help to" diagram to assist consumers click here.
Remember that you will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set; your current antenna may be adequate, depending on your reception conditions.
 Need assistance? Community Action Agencies (CAAs) affiliated with The Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA) is assisting those who need extra help to purchase their converter boxes and install them in their homes.
Click here to for a statewide map to locate a participating agency in your area.
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Past antenna performance is no guarantee of reliable reception of new digital television signals! |
Consumers who elect to continue to receive their local television service with an over-the-air (non-cable/satellite) antenna may find it neccessary to upgrade their existing indoor or outdoor antenna.
 Digital television receivers, including the set-top converter boxes - require a strong, consistent signal from an antenna.
Depending on the distance from your local digital television station towers, it may be necessary to replace an indoor "rabbit ear" antenna with a suitable outdoor roof-mounted antenna to receive the local channels you desire.
In some cases - consumers with an existing outdoor roof-mounted antenna may find the need to upgrade to a larger, more powerful antenna - or may need to re-aim their current antenna as some local broadcasters may have had to relocate their towers for the digital transmissions.
For detailed information on specific antenna requirements at your address, visit antennaweb.org.
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