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The Digital TV Transition

(It's time to get with the program)

The way Americans watch television is about to change forever. On Feb.17, 2009, broadcast stations in the U.S. will stop transmitting analog signals and start broadcasting exclusively in digital. The change allows stations to offer improved picture, sound quality, and additional programming choices. It also means that more than 15 million viewers who still receive over-the-air broadcasts will need to take action to prevent a loss of signal service after the deadline.

With Digital TV, the Difference is Clear

Analog technology has been used since the early 1940s to transmit broadcast signals to televisions. In fact, the same analog technology that powered the first black-and-white television sets more than 60 years ago still exists in many households today. Digital television offers an advanced technology that greatly improves the viewing experience.

The differences between analog TV and digital TV are rooted in the way their signals are transmitted. Analog signals are transmitted to your television by continuously varying radio waves. The video signal for analog TV is transmitted in AM, while the audio is transmitted in FM. Digital signals, on the other hand, are transmitted as bits of data in the same binary language used by computers.

What does the digital transition mean for the average consumer? Think for a moment about the difference between vinyl records and CDs. A vinyl record is an analog recording, while a compact disc is a digital recording. With a CD, you don't hear the "noise" or static caused by damage or degradation that you might experience with traditional records. The same is true for digital television. Digital technology supplies your television with a "cleaner" signal that eliminates snow, false colors and other irregularities that can occur with an analog signal. With digital TV, you have crystal clear images and sound.

It's Digital TV to the Rescue

The transition to digital TV won't just eliminate fuzzy pictures and crackling audio. The move to digital also enables the federal government to control the analog broadcast spectrum and reallocate it for other purposes. The government has designated a portion of this valuable spectrum to a unified national frequency that allows emergency organizations to communicate with each other. A single frequency will help public safety professionals (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads) avoid the challenges they faced on 9/11, when communication was split between different bands. A portion of the spectrum has also been sold to wireless communications companies to provide consumers with more advanced services and technologies.

Making a Date with Digital

Once the digital transition has occurred, televisions that only receive free over-the-air analog programming (with a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears") will no longer receive a signal. At that point, consumers will have three options:

Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box
Purchase a digital-ready or HD television
Switch to cable or satellite service

The digital-to-analog converter box sits on top of the viewer's analog television set and changes the digital signal to an analog format. Televisions that use these converter boxes will be able to display digital broadcasts, but without the full benefits of digital quality. The converter box will also allow consumers to see any additional multicast programming that stations offer.

The best way to enjoy all the benefits of digital TV is to make the move to a digital-ready, LCD television. Because LCDs are optimized for digital media, they're ideal for experiencing everything that digital TV has to offer.

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. For example, viewers who tune into channel 4 for news could also get channel 4-1 that broadcasts sports and channel 4-2 that shows movies – all at no additional cost. The transition to digital TV will also allow for additional data services, such as enhanced closed-captioning, that are not possible with analog.

HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Players

Just like the analog signal, cathode ray tube (CRT) technology has been dominant for more than 50 years. As we move into the digital age, LCD TVs are rapidly emerging as the technology of choice. That's because LCDs – like computers – are inherently digital devices. When your LCD TV is connected via a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, the signal comes through without loss or corruption, resulting in a cleaner and crisper image. Choosing a high-definition LCD TV provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV raises the standard for audio and picture quality.

Better picture quality and improved sound are just some of the advantages of LCD technology. Other benefits include:

No burn-in. You've probably seen a TV set or monitor where a faded image has been burned into a screen. That's because some television technologies rely on individual pixels to transmit images. When certain pixels are used frequently, they age faster than others, leaving artifacts or old images behind. LCD technology uses phosphors in a backlight to eliminate burn-in.
Better contrast. The use of new polarizers and liquid crystal modes have enabled LCDs to achieve increased contrast. Some new products even have LED backlights with dynamic dimming capabilities to achieve the clearest picture in any light. So whether it's daytime TV viewing, gaming, or even theater applications, LCD can do it all.
Better color spectrum LCD TVs offer exceptional color, contrast and brightness. These TVs deliver rich detail and exceptional clarity on virtually any size screen.
Better picture in bright conditions. LCD is the most versatile television technology because it works well in bright environments. Backlight technology can increase in brightness to overcome ambient room lighting.

In short, LCD television is the ideal way to enjoy the rapidly expanding array of HDTV programming, enabling you to get the most out of every viewing experience.

The Glass Behind it All

As technology advances and TVs become higher resolution – with more pixels at higher densities – the demand for a superior quality glass surface has increased. That's because even one tiny defect in the glass can impact pixel performance, making a big difference in what you see on screen. Corning's proprietary fusion technology creates glass of exceptional quality, making it ideal for today's higher resolution displays.

Corning glass substrates offer three key advantages for LCD applications:

Flat – Flat surfaces allow for advanced LC modes and faster pixel response speed. That means wider viewing angles and more natural motion.
Clean– The cleanliness of the glass ultimately enhances the overall quality of the picture.
Stable – A stable glass substrate means television manufacturers can make high-resolution displays and maximize the light output. That means brighter, crisper pictures for viewers.

Stay Tuned for What's in Store

As digital technology and LCD displays expand into more households, promising new developments are on the horizon. An example is the recent trend toward 3-D movies and concerts produced for the big screen. While 3-D technology is currently expensive, it may not be long before consumers see 3-D TV becoming affordable for home use. Another exciting development is personal TV—a new concept in touch-screen technology that allows viewers to watch movies, participate in game shows or engage in video gaming on an individual screen that responds to touch.

All of this innovation is enabled by the digital revolution that is changing the face of television. So hold onto your seat – and watch what happens next!

Find additional information on the digital transition:

Federal Communications Commission
http://www.dtv.gov
Phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
Email: fccinfo@fcc.gov

Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition
http://www.ceretailers.org/transtodtv.htm

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) TV Converter Box Coupon Program
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html
Phone: 1-888-DTV-2009

National Association of Broadcasters
http://www.DTVanswers.com