· What is Digital - Analog, and the difference between them?
· Will I be able to continue to use my existing TV?
· Understand your options and choices. So many questions and here are some answers!
Analog is the process of taking an audio or video signal and translating it into electronic pulses. The trouble is analog signals have size limitations as to how much data they can carry.
Digital technology breaks the signal into binary code a series of 1s and 0s and transfers it to the other end where another device takes all the numbers and reassembles them into the original signal. The beauty of digital is that it knows what it should be when it reaches the end of the transmission. That way, it can correct any errors that may have occurred in the data transfer. In most cases, you'll get distortion-free conversations and clearer TV pictures.
What's the difference between analog and digital?
Analog TV works by grabbing transmissions out of the air in the same way a radio grabs radio waves. This explains the need for an antenna outside your home or the so-called rabbit ear antennas on top of a set. An analog transmission starts as a set of moving images taken by a video camera at about 30 frames per second. The camera converts the images into a set of pixels, and gives each of those pixels a color and a level of intensity ranging from dim to bright. The pixels are combined into horizontal and vertical rows that an analog TV can interpret, and a sound signal is added. The video and sound are then converted to radio waves of specific frequencies depending on the channels you're watching, and sent over the air where your TV can pick them up using an antenna. Analog TV works however resolution is poor compared to digital and the signal itself can suffer from interference the all-too-familiar snow and static.
Digital TV is far more efficient and the quality is higher. Whereas analog TV is made up of pixels, digital TV is made up of packets of compressed data. Unlike many online videos, digital TV isn't fuzzy or distorted. The compression is unobtrusive but has an interesting side effect. Broadcasters can pack more information and more image and sound resolution into a digital transmission than into an analog one. So much so, that a digital broadcast can contain what are called subchannels. Each subchannel can carry a different program without using additional bandwidth. That's the multicasting that the FCC mentioned earlier. On top of that, digital transmissions aren't affected by interference -- say goodbye to snow!
Will my old TV work?
If you have an older analog TV, you won't be able to pick up over-the-air digital transmissions. Essentially, your TV will be dark when you turn it on after the February, 2009 deadline. Look at the back of the set. Most newer digital-capable TVs including all sets that have been sold since March 1, 2008 often have a sticker with wording like Built in digital tuner or DTV ready. If you don't see the sticker, or are still not 100% certain then check the manufacturer's Web site for the model number of your TV.
What are my options?
Purchase a new digital type TV which come in various sizes and cost from $300 to over $4000.
Install a converter box is a gadget that hooks into your analog TV and converts the digital signal into a format that your old TV can understand, and they cost anywhere from $50 to $75 dollars. The good news is the government is helping you out with the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Between now and March 31, 2009, you may apply for two coupons worth $40 that will help defray the costs of the digital converters. To get your coupons go to (http://www.dtv.gov/).
Subscribe to a local cable company like Verizon, Brighthouse, or satellite TV service like DirectTV or Dish Network.
Converter box Setup Instructions:
Unplug the existing coaxial wire antenna from tv antenna port
Plug the existing coaxial cable in Antenna In (RF) connect your Converter Box.
With the coaxial cable, with your converter box, insert one end in Out on TV (RF) port converter box. Plug the other end in Antenna In (RF) port on your TV.
Plug the cord from your converter box and television in an electrical outlet and switch on your television and the converter-Box. Use the instructions you with the converter-box Tune your television to channel 3 or 4 With the remote control supplied with your converter box, follow the instructions on-screen installation guide for research channels of digital television, and beginning to appreciate the advantages of digital television!
