What is DTV?

The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress set a date for full-power television stations to cease broadcasting in analog.

Why are we switching to DTV?

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads. The rest of the spectrum will be auctioned off to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

Consumers also benefit because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital program or several “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program. So, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 1, for example, is only able to offer viewers one program, that station broadcasting in digital can offer viewers a digital program on channel 7-1, and another digital program on channel 7-2, as well as a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers. The future of DTV will provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.

What is happening with Feb 17th and June 12th?

Although the government set and date and then reset it, broadcasters acround the state believe that the message is really: The digital age is here and NOW! While most television stations in New Mexico will continue to broadcast their analog signal into June, they encourage viewers to "go digital" now. There's no reason to wait to hook up those converter boxes, because you can start enjoying a wider variety of programming that's already available.

Will some stations continue to switch over "early"?

Up in Farmington, there's a station with some old equipment that won’t make it another 4 months. To maintain consistency,then, all stations in the Farmington area have agreed to end their analog signals.

In addition, the PBS station in Portales is also expected to turn off their analog signal this month.

This means that in both Farmington and Portales, viewers will have to be able to receive BOTH a digital and analog signal for the next few months. Over-the-air viewers can get a dual input converter box that will get the analog signal from the translators as well as the digital signals from the stations transmitting in digital only.

Who doesn’t need to do anything?

Viewers in rural areas won't need to worry about their signals right now, as they receive their over-the-air television from one of the states many translators. Our broadcasters have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars upgrading those translators to do the work for viewers. The translators essentially "translate" the digital signal into analog.

In addition, people who get their television signal from a paid service like cable or satellite won’t need to do anything.

Who needs to take action?

Anybody who has a hometown TV station needs to do something to accomodate that. Viewers in rural areas across the state will continue to receive their signal from the translators and the translator will do the work of interpreting that signal for them. However, some cities have signals coming from Albuquerque as well as inside their own city. Those viewers need a "dual-input" converter box to read the analog signal from the translators as well as the digital signal from their hometown station. In addition, viewers need to make sure that their antenna is set correctly to “catch” the signal.

Is there an inexpensive way of doing this?

The least expensive way to prepare for the transition is to get a converter box. They cost between $50-$100. Consumers will be able to get a coupon from the government in the coming months that will give them $40 off. Most people who already have an antenna on their roof won’t need to replace it; but may need to resituate it.

Once consumers have a converter box, HOOK IT UP. Don't wait to start enjoying digital television programming now!

By getting a converter box, does it guarantee you’ll get reception?

A converter box guarantees you’ll get a signal. Your antenna needs to be working with your television to get that signal onto your TV screen. So, really the issue is twofold: viewers need to “catch” the digital signal with an antenna in the right place; and then they need to “interpret” that signal with a digital tuner either through a newer TV or a converter box.

Awhile back you’d hear about getting a coupon for the converter box, is that still the case? Is there a deadline to get a converter box?

The federal government is working on getting more money into the converter box coupon program. As soon as the money is available consumers can request up to 2 coupons per household. The coupons do have an expiration date.But that doesn't mean that consumers can't buy a converter box at anytime.

What is the coupon used for: to get boxes cheaper, or to guarantee you’ll get a box?

The coupons, when they are re-issued, will give consumers $40 off a box, wherever they choose to purchase one. If one retailer doesn’t have a converter box, then the consumer will need to go somewhere else.

What if people still don’t understand, what should they do?

Please use the resources on this website. In addition, the FCC has set up a national hotline 877-CALL-FCC. BeginningFebruary 13, the National Association of Broadcasters will launch it’s hotline that will streamline calls from all over the country. That number is 877‐DTV‐5353.

Just because the transition has been delayed, doesn’t mean that people should delay in getting digital television TODAY. Get a converter box and make sure your antenna is in the right place and start enjoying great digital programs today - no matter where you live!