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Digital TV is a new broadcasting format, yielding clearer pictures, better sound, more network channels, and more viewing excitement than traditional analog television. Digital TV offers a picture free of "ghosts," "snow" or interference. The crisper, sharper image is due to the increased number of pixels the digital signal puts on the screen - the higher the number, the sharper the picture.

DTV is also capable of providing High-definition Television (HDTV) - with the highest resolution available.

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DTV is an entirely new system that will ultimately replace today's existing analog “NTSC” television system. The term “HDTV” refers to a television system that can transmit, receive and display high-quality digital images. The image on the best HDTV set has five times more detail than analog televisions. HDTV has higher resolution meaning sharper, clearer pictures. Many HDTV programs also contain six-channel (5.1) Dolby Digital surround sound to provide an immersive audio experience to complement the improved picture quality on HDTV.

Why is Digital TV better than "regular" analog TV?

DTV brings viewers five times the picture resolution and clarity of analog TV, making viewers feel like they are right in the middle of the action on their screens. Digital TV uses binary code, the same system of ones and zeroes that run on computers and digitally recorded compact discs. Switching TV broadcasts to digital is like switching from cassette tape to Compact Disc or from a VHS tape to a DVD - the pictures are clearer and sound is improved, giving viewers the opportunity to experience their favorite programs on a whole new level. What's more, with a 16:9 aspect ratio compared to today's 4:3 aspect ratio of analog television, Digital TV lets viewers see much wider images.

Will consumers have to pay to receive Digital TV broadcasts?

No. Unlike digital cable where consumers pay monthly fees for services, Digital TV provides high quality programming and more content via free over-the-air broadcasts.

What about my existing analog TV?

Until the total conversion to Digital TV is made, broadcasters will generally simulcast the same programs on two different channels - one in a digital format and one in analog. Viewers with analog sets will be able to convert a digital signal to an analog signal by hooking up a digital tuner decoder box to their sets; they will probably see an improvement in the picture, compared to existing analog broadcasts, or even "digital" cable; however, they will not be able to experience the High Definition pictures and sound quality that a true DTV set provides, nor will they experience the advantages of datacasting or interactive television. It is important to understand that analog signals will cease on February 17, 2009.

What are the different signals that viewers will see on a Digital TV?

Digital TV gives broadcasters the flexibility to bring viewers programming on different types of digital signals - ranging from high definition to standard definition. Digital TV signals have better resolution than analog TV, which has been in use for more than 50 years. With Digital TV, broadcasters can send various signals to consumers, including:

What should consumers look for when shopping for a new TV set today?

When shopping for a new TV set, consumers today have choices. Please visit www.CE.org for more information.

• An Integrated Digital TV set -- This option allows viewers to receive analog and digital signals. An integrated set can project high-definition (HD), enhanced-definition (ED) or standard-definition (SD) signals. An HDTV set has the highest resolution available and provides the ultimate home theater experience. An integrated Digital TV set provides consumers the most convenient, hassle-free way to experience Digital TV.

• A Digital TV monitor and a separate digital tuner decoder box. This option allows consumers to upgrade to Digital TV when ready. If consumers choose to purchase only a Digital TV monitor, they will get a wide-screen format and improved picture. In order to receive an over-the-air signal with a Digital TV monitor, consumers must purchase a set-top decoder box. These boxes may be used with HD, ED or SD monitors.

• An analog set. If consumers buy an analog set today, they will not receive any of the benefits of Digital TV, including the clearest pictures and sound ever available. Because an analog set does not have a digital tuner, consumers will have to purchase a digital tuner decoder box to watch Digital TV. There are new digital tuners coming on the market that will operate with an analog TV and produce high-quality images, similar to those of a DVD. Regulators are considering a requirement for manufacturers and sellers of analog television sets to place a sticker on the box or on the television informing consumers that these sets will not receive or display digital signals unless they are connected to converter box. Even with a converter box that will receive over-the-air or cable/satellite signals and display them on the set, consumers will not see true, digital, high-definition pictures or hear the full benefit of digital sound.

What is aspect ratio?

Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between the width and height of the screen. Most analog sets have an aspect ratio of 4:3, or 4 units wide by 3 units high. High definition television sets come in a widescreen display, which is 16:9, or 16 units wide by 9 units high.

What is datacasting?

Because DTV is digital, curriculum materials, full interview transcripts, children's games and still photographs can be delivered to your television while you are watching a program. DTV's broader bandwidth channel provides a digital pipeline into the home with a transmission rate many times that of a PC modem.

What is multicasting?

When not transmitting in HDTV, broadcasters will be able to transmit four or more channels of standard definition television (SDTV) programming simultaneously. This is called multicasting. Although SDTV will not match HDTV in quality, it will offer a higher quality picture that we have today. The picture quality in standard definition is generally described as being equal to the picture derived from a DVD.

Are the new DTV sets readily available?

Digital TV sets are available at both retail stores nationwide as well as online. Like CD players, computers and personal digital assistants, the prices for Digital TV sets continue to drop as the technology becomes more prominent. In fact, prices for Digital TV sets have decreased by 50 percent over the last two years and are available in stores today starting at under $1,000.

Equally important, sales of DTV monitors and sets (monitors with integrated tuners) are rising each month. The Consumer Electronics Association projects that 5.4 million digital television products will be sold by the end of 2004, 8 million in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006.

Do I need to convert to digital right away?

The Digital TV transition is happening now. More than 1,500 local stations in more than 200 markets are broadcasting a digital signal, ensuring that 99 percent of U.S. TV households are in a market with a digital signal. Most markets have several digital broadcasters. The government has loaned each broadcaster an additional TV channel to permit the transition to the new system. Throughout the transition, the government will review penetration of new Digital TV receiver sales every two years. This will ensure that the penetration of Digital TV is progressing as anticipated, so that the total conversion to digital will be a smooth one.

Analog signals, the kind that you receive with "rabbit ears" or an external antenna, will cease in February 2009. If you are a cable or satellite customer, your provider will still send you a signal that your television can display or will provide you with a new set-top box to work with your TV. If you rely exclusively on over-the-air signals and use an antenna, you will need either a new television with a digital tuner or a converter that will allow your older analog television to display a new digital signal.

If I have digital cable, do I have digital television and if I buy a Digital TV, will it work with digital cable?

Digital cable is not the same as digital television. In fact, most cable companies do not yet carry broadcasters' digital signals. Digital cable refers only to how signals are transferred across cable. Moreover, because there are not yet universal interoperability standards, a digital set that is plugged into a digital cable set-top box will only receive an analog signal, withholding all the advantages of digital television from a consumer. While inter-industry cooperation is yielding some progress on these issues, digital cable does not yet deliver digital signals into digital television sets.