Consumer Advisory on Analog to Digital Television Transition
WHAT IT IS? By federal law most TV stations will switch from analog to digital broadcasting on Feb.17, 2009.
WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR YOU? If you don't learn about this digital TV transition and some of the choices you have, you, or family members, including millions of people with disabilities, might end up looking at a blank TV screen on February 17, 2009.
That is -- unless you buy a new digital TV or pay for TV (cable, satellite or phone company) OR get a converter box -- your TV will be dead. Maybe some static and snow! No news. No sports. No favorite TV shows. Nothing about school closings. No information about wicked weather or emergency situations.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CARE ABOUT THIS? We know there are millions of people with disabilities who can't afford to buy new digital TVs or don't want to choose to buy one. And, there are millions who can't afford cable or satellite TV service - these TV companies will convert to digital so these subscribers don't need do anything.
BUT over one third of TV households who use "rabbit ear" antennas include a person with a disability! And this includes people with disabilities who rely on captioning and video description of TV shows.
Viewers watching and hearing TV using "rabbit ears" or another antenna will see nothing but static and snow on February 17, 2009 if they do nothing
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO KEEP THE TV WORKING? To keep using that analog TV set, viewers MUST get a digital-to-analog signal converter box (or purchase pay TV service).
Converter boxes cost about $40-$60, a one time purchase. It's a device about the size of a paperback book. You can get two coupons worth $40 each per household to help pay for the converter box. Most converter boxes will pass through the captioning but check it works first!
Even if you have cable or satellite, but also use an old TV in the basement, you are still eligible for a coupon. And there are no income limits to eligibility
WHERE DO I GET THE COUPON?
Go to the government website, and apply for the coupon today as supplies are limited! Or call the government for free 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY). Coupons are good for only 90 days! So sign up, apply, and buy! Share this information with a friend who doesn't know about this but who you know watches TV for free using rabbit ears. More information at the following websites:
ABOUT THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) one pager of basic information about the analog to digital TV transition
- An FCC information page on Buying the Right (Digital) TV
- Are You Ready For the DTV Transition? (FCC webpage)
- National Association of Broadcasters on what choices you have
- Federal Government website to explain all about digital television
- National Association of Broadcasters website on digital TV
CLOSED CAPTIONING AND TV CONVERTER BOXES
FCC Fact Sheet on digital to analog TV converter box and closed captioning.
VIDEO DESCRIPTION AND TV CONVERTER BOXES
FCC Fact Sheet (pdf or doc) on digital to analog TV converter box and video description.
AAFB ACCESSWORLD: Technology and People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
AFB Assessment of TV Converter Boxes for Use by People with Vision Disabilities.
CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM
Government's Converter Box Coupon Program website National Association of Broadcasters on converter boxes
COUPON APPLICATION
for $40 discount on digital-to-analog converter box, apply directly for government coupon online
New! PO Box addresses now accepted on this form!
Residents of nursing and group homes, or in skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities, apply directly for coupon online
LOW POWER TELEVISION (LPTV) AND THE DTV TRANSITION
FCC on this topic National Association of Broadcasters information National Telecommunications & Information Administration Industry Coalition website on low power issues at
ANTENNAS
How to find the right antenna to receive your local television broadcast channels (has map function so you can angle your roof antenna properly). National Association of Broadcasters on antennas
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
National Cable Television Association (NCTA) Q&A on DTV Transition
Association of Public TV Stations on the Digital Transition has no materials for consumer other than a booklet about the campaign at
TAKE THE DTV QUIZ TO BECOME A DTV DEPUTY!
Quiz yourself to see what you know about the digital TV transition and receive a Certificate.
DTV BLOG.
RECYCLING
If you are buying a new TV, there are recycling programs for discarded TVs or other old electronic products.
One such program is myGreenElectronics
List compiled by the Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), 1629 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006. For further information, please email Jenifer Simpson.
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