DTV Transition is Tomorrow

Sep 10, 2009

Dear Friends,

Are you DTV-ready? Tomorrow is the day that all free, over-the-air television stations will convert their analog broadcast service to digital. This will mean that analog television sets that are not connected to a converter box, cable, or satellite will stop working. If you have a converter box, a digital television, or subscribe to a paid TV service such as cable or satellite TV, you're ready for the transition!

So what do you need to do to get ready? For those of you who use a "rabbit ear" antenna, here are a few different options to ensure you are prepared for the digital television switch.

Connect your analog TV to a digital-to-analog converter box

As you may know, many of our local broadcasters have already made the transition to digital broadcasting. Digital-to-analog converter boxes are in stores and have a one-time cost of $40-$70. To help you pay for the converter boxes, the U.S. Government is offering two $40 coupons per household. Because it typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons, consumers who apply now may not receive their coupons in time for tomorrow's deadline. The converter box coupons expire 90 days after they are issued.

Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner)

You do not need a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television. You only need a digital TV, or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box. Depending on the signal strength of the DTV channels some consumers may need to move their existing antenna or purchase a new antenna to improve reception. You can learn more at http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx.

Subscribe to a paid TV service

If your TV set receives local broadcast stations through a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV, it is already prepared for the DTV transition. Cable companies are not required to transition or switch any of their channels to digital. However, if you have an analog TV that does not receive local broadcast stations through your paid provider, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts on that TV.

For all other questions regarding the DTV transition, I hope you will visit the Federal Communications Commission's DTV website www.dtv.gov.

Also, here are some telephone resources to specific communities around Georgia's Fifth District:

Spanish-speaking individuals may call 800-775-0889
Asian-language-only speakers please call 770-936-0969
Individuals Deaf or Hard of Hearing please call 404-292-5312 (TTY)
Seniors may call 770-455-7602

Additional Resources:

Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY)
DTV Made Easy (.pdf)>>
Frequently Asked Questions>>
Visit the website www.dtv.gov>>
Learn how to install your converter box (.pdf)>>

Visit DTVanswers.com to watch a video on how to install your converter box>>

Remember to please share this information with your friends and family who might also be affected by the DTV transition.

Keep the Faith,

John Lewis
Member of Congress