Heading into the Digital (Television) Age

This August, when millions of Americans are watching U.S. athletes compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics, it is doubtful very many of them will remark about the fact that these Games will be the last broadcast in the United States over analog airwaves.
Hopefully, every household will be prepared for February 17, 2009, when all full-power broadcast television stations are required to stop broadcasting in analog and to broadcast only in digital.  This is known as the digital television (DTV) transition, which was enacted as part of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.
The digital transition will provide a better viewing experience for consumers and help emergency responders protect our communities.  Digital broadcast television stations can offer viewers improved picture and sound quality – not to mention new programming choices since stations will be able to broadcast several programs at the same time – through the more efficient digital technology.
By freeing up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications, police departments, fire departments, and rescue squads will have access to some of the most advanced communications systems available; this will, for example, allow real time downloading of floor plans to firefighters as they battle a burning building.
Additionally, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband), with the proceeds going to help cover costs associated with the transition.
If you have one or more televisions receiving free over-the-air television programming (with a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important when considering the upcoming transition.
People who already have a High Definition Television (HDTV) with an internal tuner, digital cable or satellite service will not be affected by the switch in February 2009.  If your television is more than two years old, it probably is not digital – check your owner’s manual to make sure.
If you have an analog television with a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” on your television set, you will not be able to watch full-power broadcast stations after February 17, 2009, unless you get a digital-to-analog converter box.  This converter box will also enable viewers to see any additional multicast programming offered by local stations.
Again, you will not have to throw away your old TV and buy a new one because of this switch to digital.  Analog sets, if connected to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV, should continue to work as before.
If you subscribe to satellite but switch to antenna to watch local channels, you will also need a converter box or change your satellite subscription to include local channels.
This converter box will turn the digital signals from a broadcast station to an analog format, allowing older televisions to continue working.
These converter boxes are available in stores and through reputable on-line retailers.
NET Television, Nebraska’s statewide public television service, is already broadcasting in digital, and will begin its transition from analog as early as September.
The federal government is offering each U.S. household up to two $40 coupons which can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.  The number of coupons available is limited and applications for coupons must be received by March 31, 2009.  It is important to note these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing.
Coupons may be requested by calling the 24-hour hotline, 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009) or applying online at www.dtv2009.gov.  You can also call my district offices at 308-384-3900 or 308-633-6333 for assistance.
Be mindful of those who would take advantage of the situation.  Everyone should be aware of scam artists who are using the DTV transition as an opportunity to line their own pockets.  Never give out personal or credit card information to anyone calling your house, and use only trusted websites to order your coupons or converter boxes.
I want to make sure when the next Olympics roll around (or the next Husker Football season, for that matter), Nebraskans are prepared for the digital transition.  Otherwise, you might be seeing snow in February on the television screen – not the ground.