Frequently Asked Questions

What is digital TV?

• Digital TV ( DTV ) is a new technology that will replace today’s analog TV sets. Digital signals are transmitted using computer code-ones and zeroes. Broadcasters throughout the U. S. are making the transition to digital TV and will cease broadcasting analog signals on 2/9/09. Televised information can be sent more efficiently in digital form and the signal is less susceptible to interference and provides a higher quality picture and sound.

What is analog TV?

• Analog TV is the technology that has been used for television broadcasters since the 1940’s. Analog signals are transmitted to your TV set by continuously varying radio waves that display pictures and sound.

Why are the TV broadcasters changing to digital TV?

• Congress passed legislation, beginning in 1966, mandating the change from analog to digital TV broadcast. Viewers should notice improvements in picture and sound, particularly in the case of high-definition (HDTV) broadcast. In order to receive HDTV you will need a high-definition TV set. When analog broadcast end, broadcasters will return those frequencies to the federal government. Some of the analog frequencies will be used for public safety, including communications for police and fire departments.

Is digital TV (DTV) the same as high-definition TV ( HDTV )?

• No. Digital TV includes broadcast in standard definition (SDTV), enhanced definition (EDTV) and high-definition TV (HDTV) formats. SDTV offers resolution comparable to analog TV broadcast but picture and sound quality are better. EDTV provides a better signal than SDTV and are free of snow, ghosts or static noises. HDTV offers significantly improved images in high resolution, comparable to what you experience in a movie theater. In the future most TV’s sold in the U.S. will be high-definition capable.

Will I receive all programs in HDTV?

• No, not at this time. Not all programs transmitted by broadcasters are in broadcast in HDTV. Also, you must have a HDTV set to receive programs broadcast in high-definition. Networks are developing more programs in high-def.

Will my existing non-digital TV work on digital TV?

• That depends. If you have our NewWave cable, we will convert the digital signal to analog so your existing non-digital TV will continue to receive the broadcast stations. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW TV SET. If you are not on NewWave Cable and do not have a digital TV set you will need to purchase a set-top box that connects to your TV set allowing your TV set to receive digital signals.

How do I know if I have an analog or digital TV set?

• As of March 2007, TV sets shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the U.S. must contain a broadcast digital turner. Digital TV sets will have labels or markings on them, or statements in the information material containing words “Integrated Digital Tuner “or “Digital Tuner Built-In “.

• There are two types of digital tuners that can be integrated into TV sets. A broadcast digital tuner, which will only allow receiving digital broadcast TV stations over-the-air with an antenna. A cable digital tuner will be labeled a “QAM” tuner and it will allow reception of digital TV signals from NewWave without a separate set top box.

• If your TV set is labeled as “analog “or “NTSC “but not labeled as having a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only.

What does “Digital Monitor” or HDTV Monitor” or “Digital Ready” mean?

• This does not mean that your TV comes with a digital turner. You will likely need a separate set-top box which contains a tuner that allows the TV set to receive digital TV transmissions, which include HDTV formats.

What is a Set-Top Box?

• This is an electronic device that connects to your analog TV set and converts the digital signal to analog so your analog TV set can receive the signal. This device may also be called a decoder, QAM tuner, receiver, digital – to-analog converter.

What will digital TV cost?

• There is not an extra cost to receive the converted digital to analog signal on NewWave Cable TV and no cost to receive the signal off-air. But, you will still need a set top box if you do not have a broadcast digital tuner and you do not have cable.

When will the digital TV conversion take place?

• February 2009.

Will I need an antenna on my roof?

• Not if you’re on NewWave Cable TV. If you receive off-air TV on an antenna now it may work depending on the distance from your house to the broadcast transmitter. If not, you will need to purchase a digital antenna.

Will my analog VCR, DVD, etc., work with digital TV?

• This equipment will continue to work, even if they are analog-capable only. However, the analog equipment will not provide digital quality pictures and sound. Manufactures are producing a number of different connectors to hook the equipment together to improve picture and sound quality. You will need to check with your retailer to determine the type of connectors you need.
  
  

If I buy my own set-top box will NewWave repair it?

• NewWave is only allowed to repair equipment that we own.

I am a NewWave cable TV customer with a digital TV set. Will I receive digital signals over the cable system?

• Yes. In order for NewWave to provide digital signals over the cable system, NewWave will have to install equipment at it’s receive site. We will also continue to provide the analog signal to all customers.

  
  

Please explain what a LCD TV set is.

• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TV set uses the same technology that a computer screen uses. LCD works by trapping a liquid crystal solution between two sheets of glass. LCD TV sets tend to have a higher resolution than plasma TV sets, use less power and tend to be better in bright areas like a living room.

Please explain what a Plasma TV set is?

• Plasma TV sets use a matrix of tiny gas plasma cells that emit light. Plasma TV sets tend to display black more accurately which can provide better contrast.

What does HDTV Monitor, HDTV Tuner and Integrated HDTV mean?

• HDTV Monitor or sometimes called HDTV Ready is a TV set that can display HDTV programming if you have a separate HDTV Turner or an HD Cable set-top-box.

• HDTV Tuner, also called a decoder, receiver or set-top-box, is a device capable of receiving and outputting HDTV signals for display. The turner may be a stand-alone unit or integrated into the TV set.

• Integrated HDTV set has the digital tuner built into the TV set and does not need a separate set-top-box.

I see on the digital TV sets 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. What does this mean?

• There a four commonly used formats for digital TV sets. 480p means 480 lines progressively scanned in a widescreen format. 1080i indicates 1080 lines interlaced scanned. Progressive scan is a way to scan lines onto a TV picture by scanning all the lines consecutively. Interlaced scan vertical lines onto a TV picture by scanning all of the odd lines first, then filling in the even line next. The higher the number the clearer the resolution.

  
  

What is this coupon program about?

• It is called the converter box subsidy program and is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an arm of the Federal Commerce Department. The program has not started yet but it will provide two coupons by mail, each worth $40.00 off the cost of a digital converter. You may only use one coupon per converter box. Applications are to become available between 1/1/08 and 3/31/09. The coupon may be applied only toward the purchase of a stand-alone digital to analog converter. The coupon will not be available to cable or satellite customers.

How much will the stand-alone digital to analog converter cost?

• We are not sure at this time but some according to some government estimates the cost will be between $50.00 to $75.00 per converter.
  

  
  

For more information visit www.dtvtransition.org