Digital Television Transition Guide
No action required!
Satellite and cable providers will allow you to receive digital television signals on your analog set. No additional equipment is required.
It is advised you double check with your service provider.
Possible action required
If your 16x9 television has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner, you need only a VHF/UHF antenna to pick up digital television signals. Check your manufacturer documentation.
Required action: If your 16x9 television does not have this built-in tuner, you will need to take one of the following three steps.
- Purchase a DTV converter box
- Purchase a new television with the built-in ATSC tuner
Can I recycle my TV?
Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit mygreenelectronics.com.
- Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider
Action is required!
Note: Televisions purchased after May of 2007 most likely have digital ATSC tuners, even if they are standard definition 4x3 television sets. If you have one of these digital 4x3 televisions, you should not need to take any action and can use a VHF/UHF antenna to receive digital signals over the air.
If your 4x3 television does not meet the above requirementhave, you will need to take one of the following three steps.
- Purchase a DTV converter box
- Purchase a new television with the built-in ATSC tuner
Can I recycle my TV?
Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit mygreenelectronics.com.
- Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider
Local Resources
Do I need a special antenna to receive digital television (DTV) over-the-air?
With a good indoor or outdoor antenna, you will maximize your DTV reception. In general, dependable reception of DTV will require the same type of antenna that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals.
A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.
Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners – and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider – will be affected by the transition.
DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system.
Digital television (DTV) is an innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality.
