NEW YORK -- Starting in the morning and going into the night, TV stations across the U.S. planned to cut their analog signals Friday, ending a six-decade era for the technology and likely stranding more than 1 million unprepared homes without TV service. [Full Story]
On June 12, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop analog broadcast service and transmit only digital signals. Consumers who do not subscribe to pay television services and have older, analog televisions will need to attach digital-to-analog converter boxes to their televisions in order to continue receiving over-the-air television programming.
What kind of antenna do I need?To continue watching 7NBC and CW56 you would need a VHF/UHF antenna.Outdoor antennas work best, if using an indoor antenna it should be amplified.
What events are happening in your community to help people get ready for DTV?
The National Association of Broadcasters is producing a series of television spots to raise awareness of the DTV transition and has provided viewers with multiple resources for detailed information about the switch.
By law, full-power television stations nationwide must switch from the old method of transmitting TV signals known as analog to digital television (DTV) on June 12, 2009. DTV is an innovative new type of broadcasting technology that delivers movie-quality pictures and sound, more channels, and even high definition television (HDTV) to consumers with HD television sets.
Consumers who receive free broadcast television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners - and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company service provider - will be affected by the transition. Viewers who pay for TV services such as cable, satellite or telephone company television services should not be affected or need to upgrade.
A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna. The box converts the digital television signal into an analog format, making it viewable on your analog TV set. The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is issuing each household up to two $40 coupons to help defray the cost of converter boxes.
WGBH DTV Walk-In Help Center
One Guest Street, Boston
Daily, Noon-8PM
Best Buy Geek Squad Free DTV Converter Box Installation
To request free converter box installation, qualified citizens may call the DTV conversion hotline at 877-BBY-DTV9 (877-229-3889) 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. CST Daily.
All TV is now Digital.
7NBC WHDH-TV - Digital Channel 7
(VHF antenna is required)
CW56 WLVI-TV - Digital Channel 41
