A: Digital TV, or DTV, is the biggest advance in television since the introduction of color. On February 17, 2009, all over-the air television stations will switch from broadcasting in the standard analog format to a digital broadcast, which transmits television pictures and sound as computerized bits of information.

Going digital will bring viewers many more channels, and much better picture and sound quality … all for free over the air. It is not difficult and is quite affordable.

Q: What is the difference between digital television and the old (analog) system?

A: In a digital format, the television signal is compressed – it is possible to fit more TV channels, radio networks and other services into the same amount of airspace or bandwidth. The digital format allows better quality pictures and sound, with much less interference. TV pictures are clearer with no "ghosting," and sound has no crackling or hissing.

Q: Do I need to go digital?

A: Television switches to a digital broadcast signal all across the U.S. on February 17, 2009 – so sooner or later everyone will need to go digital to watch television. With rare exceptions, all TVs can be converted to digital, even black and white ones. Viewers who use "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenae to watch TV now will need a digital converter set-top box to watch TV after that date.

Q: How do I get digital TV?

A: If you bought a TV recently, it may already have a built-in digital tuner – though it's not always easy to tell. You will need to check with the manufacturer.

If you use "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna to watch TV, here’s what you need to do:

Adapt each TV with a small, affordable set-top converter box that plugs into your old TV.
OR begin cable or satellite or broadband-TV service.
OR purchase a new digital-ready television.

You can buy converter boxes for about $50-70 at many electronics stores and online retailers. If you have cable or satellite or a new digital-ready television, you do NOT need a new converter box.

Q: Is digital television the same as high-definition TV (HDTV)?

A: No. You do not need to purchase a new HDTV in order to get digital television. High Definition (also known as HD or High-Def) is a particular type of digital television format that has a very high resolution – which means many more dots per inch. HD is the highest quality of the digital television signals.

HD gives very clear, crisp pictures with vivid colors and much more detail than either standard-definition analog TV or standard-definition digital TV. It also has a theater-style wide-screen format, and Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound audio.

HD televisions use an HD tuner to pick up television signals broadcast in HD. KOCE has an HD channel called KOCE-HD that broadcasts programs specially produced for HDTVs available over the air on channel 50.1, or on Time Warner Cable channel 408, or on Cox Communications cable channel 710.

Q. I've heard that there's a coupon available for digital converter boxes. How do I get a coupon?

A. To help cover the one-time cost of buying the TV converter boxes you need to go digital, each household can receive up to two $40 coupons from the federal government.

KOCE-TV is here to help you go digital. Going digital will bring you many more channels, and far better picture and sound quality. Watch KOCE-TV for updates.
For DTV set-top box coupons, call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009)
or visit www.dtv2009.gov