DTV- What Every Consumer with Hearing
Loss Should Know |
Hearing Loss Association of America |
December 2008 |
Congress set February 17, 2009
as the deadline for the digital transition. After that
date, most TV broadcasting will be digital, which will
bring many benefits that will transform your television
viewing experience. Images and sound are captured using
digital technology, delivering a movie-quality experience,
multicasting and interactive capabilities. That means better
quality, more choices, and more control over your television. However,
consumers with hearing loss have been concerned about the
closed captions: the quality of captions, and if they will
be present during this transition and importantly what
information they need to know to quickly help them for
the transition to DTV.
The Hearing Loss Association understands that this transition
will be here sooner than we think. Now is the time
for us all to get up to speed on DTV: what is it; what
does it mean to me; what do I need to do? That’s
why we have put together this booklet to inform
consumers with hearing loss about the transition to DTV. We
at the Hearing Loss Association of America encourage everyone
to educate themselves on this important issue.
Viewers who currently get their signals “over the
air,” using a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears, will
have to make some adjustments. Either they will have to
buy digital television sets, or they will have to obtain
digital to analog converter boxes to change the digital
signals to analog in order to maintain the continuity of
the broadcast signal during and after the transition.
Beginning in 2008, U.S. households may be able to obtain
up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of
converter boxes. This program will be operated by the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA),
a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
We hope that this booklet will give you a better understanding
of DTV and the impact that it will have on you as a consumer
with hearing loss. While information is beginning
to become available to the public we encourage people with
hearing loss to visit the Hearing Loss Association of America’s
web page for updated information about this transition
at www.hearingloss.org or
the Federal Communications Commission website at www.FCC.gov.
What is DTV?
What
is DTV programming?
Why are we switching to DTV now?
What is the difference between HDTV, EDTV and SDTV?
How much will a DTV cost and what kind of screen choices
are available?
What
do I need to do to be ready for the DTV transition?
What about my Analog TV? Will it still work?
If I already have an antenna, do I need a new one to view
the digital signals?
How do I receive digital broadcasts if I subscribe to cable
or satellite?
If I buy a DTV will my VCR, DVD player, Camcorder, video
games or other equipment still work?
How do I receive digital broadcasts if I don't subscribe
to cable or satellite?
How do I know whether I own a DTV?
How will Closed Captions (CC) wbe impacted by the transition
of DTV?
If
I buy a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box how will the Closed
Captions Work?
I am having problems accessing the closed captions
through the digital-to-analog converter box, what do I do?
Closed Captions do not appear to work on my television,
what do I do?
What is the coupon program I keep hearing about?
How do I receive a coupon to buy a converter box?
How can I find additional information about the transition
to DTV?
What is DTV?
Digital Television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting
technology that will transform television. Because DTV
is delivered digitally, the television signal is virtually
free of interference. And because DTV is more efficient
than analog, broadcasters are able to offer television
with improved quality pictures and surround sound. DTV
will soon replace today’s analog television broadcasting
system.
What is DTV programming?
Digital television offers many advantages over analog
television for viewing broadcast signals. DTV is more
versatile and efficient than analog television and allows
stations to broadcast more programming using fewer spectrums.
In the same bandwidth that a broadcaster currently provides
one analog channel, a broadcaster may provide a super
sharp “high
definition” (HD) program or multiple “standard
definition” DTV programs simultaneously. Providing
several program streams in one broadcast signal is called “multicasting.” A
broadcaster also can use its DTV signal to provide video
and data services that are not possible with analog technology.
Television stations serving every market in the United
States are currently delivering digital television programming. DTV
is virtually free of interference.
Why are we switching to DTV now?
In the 1990s, Congress determined that broadcast stations
must transition from analog television broadcasting to
digital television broadcasting. Converting to DTV will
free up parts (“bands”) of the scarce and valuable
broadcast spectrum, allowing these bands to be used for
public safety and emergency services, such as police, fire
and medical services, and new wireless services, such as
wireless broadband. Because public safety and emergency
services have become even more important today, Congress
established a “hard” DTV transition deadline
that requires all full-power television stations to cease
analog broadcasts after February 17, 2009. (The deadline
for low power television and translator stations will be
established at a future date.) Until then, most television
stations will continue broadcasting on both their digital
and analog channels. Already today, more than 1,600 television
stations throughout the United States are broadcasting
digital programs.
What is the difference between HDTV, EDTV, and SDTV?
High Definition TV (HDTV)
HDTV in widescreen provides the highest resolution and
picture quality of all DTV formats. A current analog TV
picture is made up of 480 horizontal lines. An HDTV picture
can have up to 1080 lines, allowing for sharp picture detail.
The most common formats are 720p (“p” stands
for progressive scan) and 1080i (“i” stands
for interlaced) with either 720 progressively (non -interlaced)
scanned lines or 1080 interlaced lines. Combined
with digitally-enhanced sound technology, HDTV achieves
a new benchmark for sound and picture quality in television.
Standard Definition TV (SDTV)
SDTV is the baseline display and resolution for both analog
and digital. Transmission of SDTV is usually in the traditional
4x3 aspect ratio, but may be wide-screen 16x9 format.
SDTV and analog TV can deliver up to 480 interlaced (480i)
Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)
EDTV is a step up from analog TV and SDTV. Also called
480 progressive (480p), EDTV is widescreen 16x9 or traditional
4x3 format and provides better picture quality than SDTV,
but not as good as HDTV. Traditional DVDs are encoded as
480p (although newer HD-DVD and Blu-ray players allow viewing
of HDTV discs).
How much will a DTV cost and what kind of screen
choices are available?
Prices vary depending on the many features and options
available to consumers, including format, display technology,
and screen size. Display technology choices include cathode
ray tube screens, rear projection TVs, front projection
TVs, and flat panel TVs. Flat panel TVs, often the most
expensive, can use either a liquid crystal display (LCD)
or plasma screen technology. Screen size is measured diagonally
across the screen, and the larger the screen, generally
the more expensive the TV. As with any new consumer electronics
technology, DTV sets have become less expensive since their
introduction. As with analog televisions,
DTV set sizes range from very small to quite large. All
TV sizes are measured diagonally across the screen. So,
most DTV sets, which have an aspect ratio of 16x9, are
wider, but shorter, than analog TV sets of the same diagonal
screen size.
DTV sets have wider, more rectangular
screens. You’ll
have a number of different screen choices when you look
at DTVs. Some of the most common are:
Flat Panel TVs - Flat Panel TVs are very
thin and relatively light weight and are sometimes hung
on the wall. Current flat panels use either LCD or plasma
screen technology. Flat panel LCDs are very thin and produce
extremely clear pictures. Plasma screen TVs produce images
by lighting small pockets of colored gas. This technology
allows the TV to create a bright, clear picture in large
screen sizes while remaining only a few inches thick.
Rear Projection TVs - Rear projection
TVs can be much larger than standard CRTs. They create
the image on a small display, but then enlarge it onto
the back of the screen. Older model rear projection TVs
using small CRTs to create the image were dim and hard
to see from extreme angles, but new digital projection
technologies like Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Digital
Light Processing (DLP), and Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS)
create brilliant, wide-angle pictures on ever-larger screens.
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) screens - These
are traditional color television screens updated for digital.
Their resolution and color capabilities vary from model
to model. These screens have a very bright picture, but
are limited in size, and the larger units are typically
quite heavy.
Front Projectors - Projectors are TVs
that create an image by projecting it onto a wall or standalone
screen (much like a movie theater). Projectors use the
same digital projection technologies as rear projection
TVs but, because the screen is separate, the image can
be the size of an entire wall. Projectors are not as bright
and often require the room to be dark in order to clearly
see the image.
What do I need to do to be ready for the DTV transition?
What you need to do depends on the source of your television
programming, whether you receive programming over-the-air
or from a paid provider such as a cable or satellite TV
company.
What about my Analog TV? Will it still work?
After February 17, 2009, you will be able to receive and
view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV
only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter
box. Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S.
households will be able to request up to two coupons, worth
$40 each, to be used toward the future purchase of eligible
digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes
are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television
signals, and therefore are not intended for analog TVs
connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite
TV service.
If I already have an antenna, do I need a new one to view
the digital signals?
A special antenna generally is not needed to receive digital
signals. You may have antenna issues, however, if your
current antenna does not receive UHF signals (channels
14 and above) well, because most DTV stations are on UHF
channels. In such a case, you may need a new antenna or
to add a UHF section to your existing antenna system. This
equipment should be available at most bricks-and-mortar
and Internet consumer electronics retailers.
How do I receive digital broadcasts if I subscribe
to cable or satellite?
If you receive cable or satellite television service, contact
your cable or satellite provider about any additional components,
such as a digital set-top box, that you may need to watch
digital broadcast programming.
If I buy a DTV, will my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, video
games, or other equipment still work?
VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and video games will continue
to work, even if they are only analog-capable. Such equipment,
however, may not provide digital-quality picture and sound.
Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors
to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound
quality. Check with your equipment retailer to determine
the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.
How do I receive digital
broadcasts if I don’t subscribe
to cable or satellite?
If you receive only free over-the-air television programming,
the type of TV you own, either a digital TV or an analog
TV, is very important. Consumers who receive only free
over-the-air television may view digital programming through
a TV set with a built-in digital tuner (integrated DTV)
or a digital-ready monitor with a separate digital tuner
set-top box. (Both of these digital television types are
referred to as a DTV). The only additional equipment required
to view over-the-air digital programming with a DTV is
a regular antenna, either on your roof or a smaller version
on your TV such as “rabbit ears.”
If you have an analog television, you will have to purchase
a digital-to-analog set-top converter box to attach to
your TV set to be able to view over-the-air digital programming.
How Do I Know Whether I Own a DTV?
As of March 1, 2007, all television receivers shipped in
interstate commerce or imported into the United States
must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective May
25, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission required
sellers of television receiving equipment that does not
include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale
that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore
will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive
over-the-air broadcast television after the transition
date. Retailers must inform consumers by prominently displaying
the following text if they are selling TV equipment with
only an analog tuner:
This television receiver has only an analog broadcast
tuner and will require a converter box after February 17,
2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna
because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting.
Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite
TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For
more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322
(TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website
at: www.dtv.gov.
Therefore, after May 25, 2007, all television equipment
being sold should contain a digital tuner, or should be
identified at the point-of-sale as not having one. Be sure
to look for this label if you are purchasing a new TV.
As for how to determine whether your television equipment
purchased prior to May 25, 2007 is a DTV, many DTVs and
digital television equipment will have labels or markings
on them, or statements in the informational materials that
came with them, to indicate that they contain digital tuners.
These labels or markings may contain the words “Integrated
Digital Tuner” or “Digital Tuner Built-In.” “Receiver” may
be substituted for “Tuner,” and “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” (high
definition television) may be substituted for “Digital.” If
your television equipment contains any of these labels
or markings, you should be able to view digital over-the-air
programming without the need for a digital-to-analog converter
box. (Remember, you do not need an HDTV to view free over-the-air
digital programming. As long as your television equipment
contains a digital tuner, you can view over-the-air digital.
An HDTV is only necessary if you want to view digital programming
in “high definition.”)
You should also check the manual or any other materials
that came with your television equipment in order to determine
whether it contains a digital tuner.
If your television set is labeled as a “Digital Monitor” or “HDTV
Monitor,” or as “Digital Ready” or “HDTV
Ready,” this does not mean it actually contains a
digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate
set-top box which contains a tuner in order to view programs
in the new digital TV transmission standard (which includes
HDTV formats) on such a set.
Over-the-air digital set-top boxes can be purchased at
retail stores. Cable and satellite TV providers also sell
or lease digital set-top boxes for their specific services.
(Note: the digital set-top box described here is not the
same as the NTIA program digital-to-analog converter box,
described below, used to convert free over-the-air digital
broadcasts for viewing on an analog TV set.)
If your television set is labeled as “analog” or “NTSC,” but
is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it contains
an analog tuner only.
If you cannot determine readily whether your television
set or other television equipment contains a digital tuner,
you are advised to check your equipment for the manufacturer
name and model number, and then contact your consumer electronics
retailer, or the manufacturer, to determine whether it
contains a digital tuner. This information also may be
available online through the manufacturer’s website.
Because most broadcast stations in all U.S. television
markets are already broadcasting in digital, consumers
are further advised to contact their local broadcast stations
to determine the channel numbers on which the stations
are broadcasting digital programming. Consumers should
then ensure that their televisions are set up to receive
over-the-air programming (as distinguished from the signals
of a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service),
and then tune to the over-the-air digital channels to see
if they can receive the digital broadcast programming.
How will Closed Captions (CC) be impacted by the transition to DTV?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is concerned
that consumers may experience difficulty in receiving and/or
viewing closed captioning on some digital television (DTV)
programming, including high definition television (HDTV),
provided by a programming distributor such as a cable company
or a satellite television provider. These difficulties
generally could arise from two causes: 1) the consumer's
set-top box and/or DTV are not properly set to allow closed
captions to be displayed; or 2) there are technical problems
with the cable or satellite provider's system that prevent
closed captions from being received and decoded by the
set-top box and/or DTV.
As of January 1, 2006, all "new" English language
programming, defined as analog programming first published
or exhibited on or after January 1, 1998, and digital programming
first aired on or after July 1, 2002, must be captioned,
with some exceptions.
If I buy a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box how will the Closed Captions
work?
FCC rules require DTV equipment such as converter boxes
to be capable of passing through closed captioning. The
digital-to-analog converter box receives closed caption
signals and passes those closed caption signals to your
TV automatically. In addition to passing through closed
caption signals, many converter boxes also include the
ability to take over the captioning role that the tuner
plays in your analog TV set. To determine whether your
converter box is equipped to generate captions in this
way, you should refer to the user manual that came with
the converter box. If your converter box is equipped to
generate captions in this way, then follow the instructions
that came with the converter box to turn closed captions
on/off via your converter box or converter box remote control.
When you access the closed captions in this way, you also
will be able to change the way your digital captions look.
The converter box will come with instructions on how to
change the caption size, font (style), caption color, background
color, and opacity. This ability to adjust your captions
is something you cannot do now with an analog television
and analog captions.
I am having problems accessing the closed captions through the digital-to-analog
converter box, what do I do?
If you are using a digital-to-analog converter box with
an analog TV set and cannot see any captions, you should
contact the manufacturer of the converter box.
If you turn on the digital-to-analog converter box and
see a double row of overlapping captions, it may mean you
are seeing captions through both your TV and your digital-to-analog
converter box. You should turn off the closed captioning
function either on your television or on the converter
box.
If you are able to get captions when you tune to one station,
but not another, most likely this is not a problem with
your converter box. You should contact the television station
whose programming does not have captions.
Closed Captions do not appear to work on my television,
what do I do?
If you have difficulties viewing closed captions on DTV
programming, including HDTV, received from your cable company
or satellite television provider, you should:
- consult any consumer information and manuals/guides
on closed captions for DTV programming provided by your
cable or satellite provider;
- ensure that the captioning function on your set-top
box, if applicable, is turned on;
- ensure that the captioning function
on your DTV is turned on.
If you are still unable to view closed captions on DTV
programming, you should contact your cable company or satellite
television provider for assistance. If your provider is
unable to help, you can contact the FCC's Consumer Center
at the number listed below. You can also file an informal
complaint alleging a violation of the Television Decoder
Circuitry Act and the FCC's implementing rules. You can
file your complaint using our on-line complaint Form 475
found at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints_general.html;
e-mailing dtvinfo@fcc.gov;
calling our Consumer Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
voice, 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232;
or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554.
What is the coupon program I keep hearing about?
The converter box coupon program will assist Americans
in receiving over-the-air broadcast television programming
when full-power television stations cease analog broadcasting
after February 17, 2009. The Department of Commerce's
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) has launched the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the
Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of
2005. Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households
will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth
$40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two,
digital-to-analog converter boxes.
How
do I receive a coupon to buy a converter box?
Households must request coupons from NTIA between January
1, 2008 and March 31, 2009.
Consumer coupon requests will be taken via a toll-free
customer support center, a Web site, fax, and through the
mail. Upon request, a maximum of up to two coupons will
be sent to households via the United States Postal Service
and will expire three months after they are mailed. Each
coupon will be worth $40 towards the purchase of an eligible
converter box from a certified consumer electronics retailer.
Coupons have no cash value and may not be resold. Coupons
will be electronically trackable and uniquely numbered,
similar to gift cards, so that transactions will be verified
at the point of sale.
Where can I find additional information about
the transition to DTV?
Federal Communications Commission www.fcc.gov
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) www.ntia.doc.gov
National Association of Broadcaster www.dtvanswers.com
Hearing Loss Association of America; www.hearingloss.org
