General DTV information

http://www.digitaltvtrainer.com/national

http://www.ezdigitaltv.com

http://www.dtvanswers.com/

Converter box information by brand

Link to converter box owner manuals (at bottom of page) http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/Converter_Box.html

Insignia Convert Box http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/support-files/ns_dxa1_manual.pdf

Magnavox Converter Box http://www.freedtvshop.com/fdtv/converters/tb100mw9UM.pdf

Generic converter box set up http://www.consumerelecgroup.com/User_Manuals/Artec_T3A_User_Manual.pdf

How to connect a converter box to a VCR

Reminder: The VCR does not work with digital as it did with analog because the typical VCR does not have a digital tuner.

Keep in mind that if you use only ONE converter for both the TV and the recorder, you will NOT be able to record from one channel while watching another. To be able to watch a separate TV channel while recording another, you will need a converter box on both the TV and the VCR.

Otherwise if you are satisfied with having only one channel at a time; connect your antenna to the converter, the converter to the recorder and the recorder to the TV.
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/VCRs_and_Converter_Boxes.html

Watch One Channel while Recording a Different Channel
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/converterbox_vcr.html

How Do I Know If My TV Has A Digital Tuner ?

As of March 1, 2007, by law, all televisions (with the exception of television sets labled as a Monitor) sold as new should include a built-in digital tuner (also called HDTV, digital, or ATSC tuners).

Your TV will not need a converter box if you see any of the following labels on the TV set or instruction manual:
“Integrated Digital Tuner”
“Digital Tuner Built-In”
“Digital Receiver”
“Digital Tuner”
“DTV”
“ATSC”
“HDTV” (High Definition television)

If your television was manufactured before 1998, odds are that you have a traditional analog set, which will require a converter box.

Your TV will need a converter box if you see any of the following labels on the TV set or instruction manual:
“analog”
“NTSC”

REMINDER : – a converter box is a “digital tuner” – so if you have a TV that does not have a “Digital tuner” – you will need a converter box.

NOTE: An "HD Ready" television does not have a built-in digital tuner. The term "HD Ready" when referenced to a television set, means that the TV in question is capable of displaying a high-definition signal at 720p, or 1080i or 1080p (or all three formats) when using a device to receive the signals like a converter box.

Coupon Program Update:

Congress passed the DTV Delay Act, which would postpone the conclusion of the digital television transition to June 12, 2009 and give U.S. households additional time to prepare for this historic switch.  However, this legislation does not change the operation of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program at this time.  The DTV Delay Act will allow the Coupon Program, upon request, to offer replacement coupons for those which have expired without being redeemed.  However, this program change will not take effect until the Coupon Program receives additional funding.

For this reason, the Coupon Program cannot accept requests to replace lost, stolen or expired coupons at this time.  NTIA will move quickly to change the program if Congress authorizes additional funding. The website will be updated to alert the public if funding becomes available.

For more information, visit www.DTV2009.gov

Antenna Questions ?

http://www.antennaweb.org

http://www.digitaltvtrainer.com/national/tv-antenna

What are the basic rules for TV signal reception ?

1. Outdoor is generally better.  Outdoor antennas have a better view of the transmitting station, with no building-induced signal loss. They receive less interference from other household electronic/electrical appliances, and they are less likely to receive reflected ghost signals from the building structure.

2. Higher is better.  The higher an antenna is, the more direct signal it can receive from the TV transmitter, while at the same time reducing the reception of interfering signals from other household electronic/electrical appliances and reflected ghost-causing signals from other nearby structures. The higher the better, but any antenna should be at least four feet above the structure to which it is mounted, and ideally above the roofline.

3. Closer is better.  If a position above the roofline is not possible, the antenna should at least be on the side of your building facing the TV signal broadcast tower.

4. Bigger is better.  The larger an antenna, the more signal it receives. This is especially important on channels 2-6, where the longer wavelength requires a larger antenna in order to be efficiently received. Larger antennas also become directional which reduces ghosting caused by reflected signals coming from the side and the rear of the receiving antenna.

Try Using Your Existing Antenna First

First, it is important to know that if your television currently receives good quality reception on analog channels 2-51 with a broadcast antenna, it should be able to receive digital television (DTV) signals, including high definition television (HDTV) signals, with the same broadcast antenna. You do not need to purchase a "DTV antenna" or an “HDTV antenna” to receive DTV or HDTV signals. However, consumers should be aware that if they use a digital-to-analog converter box, they will still need to use an antenna to receive DTV signals.

Prior to making any changes to your current antenna or antenna system, you should check to see if it will receive the digital signals being broadcast in your area. Connect your existing antenna to either a digital television or a digital-to-analog converter box connected to an analog TV. Make sure your TV is set up to receive over-the-air broadcasts (as opposed to being connected to a paid provider such as a cable or satellite TV company). It may also be helpful to perform a “channel scan,” in which your TV will automatically check to see which stations it can receive. In many cases, this is all you will need to do to watch digital television broadcasts.

For Help With Reception Problems

If you experience reception problems, the following information and tips may help to improve your reception for digital broadcasts.

• When an analog TV signal is weak or receives interference, static, snow, and distortion will often appear on the screen, but you can watch the picture through the noise. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture even with a weak signal and in the presence of interference. However, if the digital signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can suddenly disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you typically watch analog TV stations that have a lot of static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system to get a reliably good signal for digital broadcasts.
• TV reception can be affected by factors such as terrain, trees, buildings, the weather (rain, wind, humidity), and damaged/deteriorated equipment. Often digital reception can be improved just by changing the location of your current antenna. Moving it away from other objects and structures, or placing it higher can often improve reception.
• Many antennas need to be oriented or aimed to get the best signal from the desired station. For indoor antennas, you may need to do this manually by trial and error. For outdoor antennas, a rotor that re-orients the antenna can improve performance, particularly when trying to receive stations that transmit from different locations.
• Television stations broadcasting in digital use both the VHF band (channels 2-13) and UHF band (channels 14-51). Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band. Make sure you are using an antenna that covers both the VHF and UHF bands and have connected it properly.
• Simple indoor antennas, such as rabbit ears, provide minimal performance that may or may not be suitable for your location. If you are unable to obtain satisfactory reception with your current indoor antenna, you may wish to obtain an indoor antenna that includes features for better reception of UHF signals and/or an amplifier to boost the received signal (often referred to as an active indoor antenna).
• Generally, an outdoor antenna will get better reception than an indoor antenna. If you already have an outdoor antenna and are getting good quality reception from VHF and UHF channels, your antenna should work fine for digital television.
• The performance of outdoor antennas can degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. If you are having problems, check for loose or corroded wiring, broken antenna elements and that the antenna is pointed in the right direction.
• Try to keep the length of wire between your antenna and digital receiver as short as possible for best reception.
• You can use a single antenna to provide digital broadcasts to multiple TVs in your home. Remember, however, that each analog TV connected to your antenna will need its own digital-to-analog converter box to view digital broadcast programming.
• “Splitters” that are used to connect a single antenna to multiple receivers reduce the amount of signal available to each receiver. If you are having problems, check to see whether reception is improved without the splitter. In some cases an “active” splitter that includes an amplifier can solve the problem.
• If you are near a station’s broadcast tower, reception of that station, as well as other stations, can be impeded by signal “overload”. Consider using an “attenuator” or removing amplifiers to improve your reception.
• If you decide to replace or upgrade your outdoor antenna, websites such as www.antennaweb.org provide information on the locations of broadcast towers and the types of outdoor antennas appropriate for the stations you wish to receive. If you need assistance with upgrading your antenna system, check with a local antenna retailer or antenna installer.

Standard Terms and Definitions

Analog Spectrum
A traditional, less-efficient and lower quality system that uses radio frequency (RF) waves to transmit and display pictures and sound.

ATSC Tuner
Often called an ATSC receiver or HDTV tuner, allows reception of digital television (DTV) signals broadcast over-the-air by TV stations. May be integrated into a television, VCR, digital video recorder, or set-top box.

Broadcast Spectrum
The entire range of frequencies used for radio and television transmission.

Broadcasting
Using radio waves to distribute radio or TV programs which are available for reception by the general public.

Department of Commerce (DOC)
Department whose responsibility is to "foster, serve, and promote the Nation's economic development and technological advancement".

Digital
Describes a new, more efficient method of storing, processing and transmitting information through the use of computer code.

Digital Television (DTV)
The umbrella term used for the new broadcasting system that uses computer code to transmit pictures and sounds. DTV includes all types of digital broadcasting, including High and Standard Definition television, datacasting and multicasting.

Digital-to-Analog Converter Box
A stand-alone device that receives and converts digital signals into a format for display on an analog television receiver.

High-Definition Television (HDTV)
One type of digital television signal that is broadcast at a higher resolution than the others, providing a higher-quality picture.

Household
All of the people who occupy a housing unit. A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live separately from any other people in the building and that have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall.

Multicasting
The ability to transmit multiple standard-definition programs at the same time using a single digital broadcast channel.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
The President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy issues.

NTSC Tuner
A device built-in to a TV that allows reception of analog broadcasting.

Over-the-air
Refers to the transmission and reception of information in a wireless communication system.

Rabbit ears
A V-shaped set-top antenna that is adjustable in length and angle.

Resolution
Amount of detail that can be seen in a broadcast image.

Rooftop antenna
An antenna mounted on the roof of a structure.

Set-top box
A stand-alone device that connects to a television and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen.

Standard Definition TV (SDTV)
The basic digital television format closest in quality to traditional analog TV.