Jan 12, 2009 6:32 pm US/Eastern
As DTV Switch Looms, Are Viewers Prepared?
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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It's the big switch that everyone has been talking about. Soon, homes across the country will have to switch from analog to digital, and WJZ wants to make sure you're ready.
CBS
It's the big switch that everyone has been talking about. Soon, homes across the country will have to switch from analog to digital, and
WJZ wants to make sure you're ready.
Derek Valcourt reports the government has mandated that all TV stations switch to a digital broadcast signal by Feb. 17, and we're ready for the change. The question is, are you?
Since the dawn of television, TV towers like the ones on Television Hill have broadcast what's called an analog signal. With an old-fashioned antenna, anyone could watch.
But on Feb. 17, those towers will switch to an all digital signal.
That means those old antennas won't work, and tuners inside those older TVs won't be able to convert the digital signal.
If you have satellite or cable TV, there's no need to worry. They will take care of the conversion for you, so your old televisions will still work.
"The only people who are stuck are the 13 percent of households who only get TV over the airwaves," said John Mackerron with Towson University.
To get the new signal, you need either satellite or cable service, a new digital TV or a digital converter box.
Those boxes cost only about $40-$50 and are available at most electronics stores.
"Digital television is the better form of television. It's more efficient. It gives brighter pictures, better sound and it's just a better product," said Marcellus Alexander, National Association of Broadcasters.
So how do you know if you're ready? Watch
WJZ-TV Monday night at 5:45 p.m. We will conduct a live test of the digital signal. All you have to do is keep your TV on and watch to find out for yourself if you're digital ready.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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