Digital TV Transition

It seems like most of the people I've talked to about the switch to digital-only television next February don't really have a firm understanding of what is going to happen, or how (or if) it is going to affect them. So here's the rundown:

• On February 17, 2009 all over-the-air analog television transmissions will be shut off. All broadcast television will then only be done in digital form.
  
• If you receive your television over an antenna ("rabbit ears" or rooftop for example) and the TV does not have an ATSC digital tuner, you will no longer receive programming.
  
• Televisions with compatible digital tuners are typically larger-sized HDTVs manufactured in the last 2-3 years. The tuners have been slowly integrated into smaller and smaller TVs during that time. If your television is more than 3 years old it probably doesn't have an appropriate tuner. If it is not high definition it almost certainly doesn't have a digital tuner. If you aren't sure about your television, look in the manual for "ATSC Tuner."
  
• If you can already watch high definition programming from an antenna you already have what you need for the changeover.
  
• If you receive your television programming via a satellite dish on your house, you are not affected by the switch. (Dish Network and DirecTV have always been digital.)
  
• If you receive your programming via analog cable, you may be affected by the change; it is up to the cable company as to whether they make the switch to all-digital or not. Most companies have pledged to not require digital tuners initially, but this is almost certain to change over time, and at some point cable companies will probably require digital cable boxes or tuners too. Contact your cable provider for information about how they are handling the change.
  
• The U.S. Government has a voucher program that allows each household in the country to receive up to two $40 credit vouchers for purchasing converter boxes to allow older TVs to receive digital programming. Currently the converter boxes are available at Wal-Mart, Radio Shack, and other stores, starting at $50 each. Sign up for the voucher program at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx.
  
• The reason that this is taking place is that digital programming uses less of the radio spectrum, and a significant portion of the radio spectrum is being reallocated from television broadcast to other services, such as cell phones and wireless data cards for laptops. The benefit for consumers is that digital transmissions are much clearer and many (most prime-time) programs will be in high definition. Each channel can now also carry multiple sub-channels, so each broadcaster can have multiple programs running simultaneously.
  

The government has a web site for information about the transition at www.dtv2009.gov. There is a lot of useful information there. Another good web site for information is www.dtvtransition.org.