Official Coupon Program Web Site

Digital Television

Federal Communications Commission

DTV Transition Coalition

Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition

Cable and Satellite Subscribers

If you currently receive your television signal through a cable system or a satellite system you will need to contact your service provider to see how the digital switch will affect you. In general, your service provider will make the conversion for you and your viewing experience will not change.

If you want to experience the higher resolution and better quality of the new digital format, you may need to purchase new DTV equipment. Again, check with your service provider to see what you will need.

San Antonio and surrounding area cable and satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your San Antonio cable provider what you will need and when.

Additional information may be found at: http://www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com/home.htm

Digital Television Facts At A Glance

Analog

DTV

HDTV

  • Date for final transition to digital is February 17, 2009. After that date, stations will only broadcast digital signals.
  • Consumers will always be able to connect an inexpensive receiver, a digital to analog converter box, to their existing analog TV to decode DTV broadcast signals.
  • Digital to analog converter boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition.
  • Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games consoles and other devices for many years.
  • Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a program is in high-definition.
  • Digital pictures will be free from the "ghosts" and "snow" that can affect analog transmissions.
  • Multicasting is available.
  • HDTV is available.
  • Data streaming is available.
  • High-definition broadcasts offered.
  • Best available picture resolution, clarity and color.
  • Dolby theatre surround-sound.
  • Dolby surround-sound.
  • Wide screen "movie-like" format