Living Well On A Budget

The Post Digital TV Transition Explained Part 1: What’s in it for you? What you need to know now

Posted on July 5th, 2009.

This article is part 1 of a 3 part series called The Post Digital TV Transition Explained Part 1: What’s in it For You? What You Need to Know Now.  It covers why the Digital TV transition happened, how you can benefit, understanding the UHF/VHF channel reassignments, why you might be experiencing reception issues and which DTV option is best for you?

As of June 12, 2009, the change to broadcasting only Digital TV in the U.S. is complete. Why did this happen and what’s in it for you?

1. Very high quality picture and sound available for FREE

DTV is an advanced broadcasting technology that replaces analog over-the-air broadcasting and provides crystal clear pictures and sound quality along with a host of other advantages over analog broadcasting.

2. More Network Television Programming

Rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp High Definition (HD) digital program with enhanced audio (5.1 surround sound) and/or multiple Standard Definition (SD) digital Dolby, programs simultaneously.

For example, in Boston, the NBC affiliate is broadcasting NBC programming in HD on channel 7.1 as well as MGM movies in SD on channel 7.2. One of the PBS stations is multi-casting 4 different programs, which adds World, Create, Kids, on channels 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 and 44.4.  There are also new channels such as the Retro Television Network, airing classic television programming from the 1950s through the 1980s, DAYSTAR, ION (including IONLife, Qubo), and a full time weather channel.

A broadcaster also can use its DTV signal to provide video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.  An example of this is the inclusion of a program guide.

3. Provision for Additional Services

Since DTV is more efficient, valuable frequency spectrum becomes available for other use (e.g., wireless broadband services, new wireless appliances, and public safety emergency services).

Understanding the Post Transition Changes in Channel Assignments for UHF/VHF

TV broadcasters have been transmitting their old fashioned analog signal as well as the new digital (DTV) signal for some time now.  In order to do this, the analog signal used their previously assigned channel and the new digital signal used an additional channel (typically in the UHF band).  For example, a station may have used Channel 7 for analog and Channel 37 for digital (Note:  So as not to confuse the public, real channel 37 is identified as virtual channel 7.1 on your TV screen).

Because the broadcasters have already made significant investments in their digital transmitting infrastructure, most will simply shut down their analog equipment (and channel) and continue to broadcast their digital signal over their pre-transition channel.

However, about 25% of the broadcasters will abandon their pre-transition UHF channel assignment and transmit their digital signal on their prior analog assignment. The reason is that VHF requires much less transmitting power, offering substantial savings in electricity usage and cost.

Prior to June 12^th, TV broadcasting has been on the following channels and frequencies:

VHF (low): Channels 2 – 6, (54 – 88 MHz.)

VHF (high): Channels 7 – 13, (174 – 216 MHz.)

UHF: Channels 14 – 59, (470 – 746 MHz.)

After June 12th, now that only DTV will be broadcast, only half the radio frequency spectrum is needed.  As a result, the UHF band will be reduced from channels 14 – 59 (470 – 746 MHz.) to channels 14 – 51 (470 – 697 MHz.) and with only a few exceptions, the VHF (low) band will no longer be used for TV broadcasting.

This leaves 45 channels available in the VHF (high) and UHF bands. However, reception within this frequency range is limited by line of site (the curvature of the earth typically limits reception to about 90 miles), leaving more channels than needed in a viewing area.  The FCC, on a non-interfering basis, plans to license other services to use these unused channels (a.k.a. white space).

VHF Transition Glitches

Post June 12th , in the U.S., 95% of the TV markets will now have broadcasters using both VHF and UHF.  As a result, millions of households, that had been successfully receiving DTV, have now lost one or more stations. There are substantial differences in the propagation of VHF and UHF radio waves, therefore the requirements for being able to successfully receive each, can be very different as well.

UHF signals are much shorter waves and are far more susceptible to path loss and multi-path (e.g., weather, terrain, trees, reflections from buildings, moving vehicles, objects in the room, etc.).  However, broadcasters are licensed to use very high power transmitters (up to 1 million watts) and the shorter waves can be received using small gain/directive antennas, often located indoors.

The longer VHF waves are much less susceptible to the maladies of UHF and typically have the same coverage area using much less power.  Broadcasters using VHF are licensed to use up to 30 thousand watts and as noted above, the savings in electricity are significant.  This explains why your current antenna may no longer be working as well.  Post DTV transition, a much larger receiving antenna will most likely be needed to receive the VHF channels.

The FCC has issued updated coverage maps for all full-service TV stations.  The maps show each station’s digital TV coverage as compared to its analog TV coverage and in most cases, the coverage has improved.  Click the coverage map to find your designed market area

Which DTV Option is Best for You?

To see what is available in your area, go to TVfool.com and enter your zip code.  Here you will find a wealth of information; including a complete list of stations in your area, their channel assignment (real vs virtual), directional compass headings to the transmitting site, estimated signals levels, etc.  From this information, you will be able to determine what kind of antenna you will need (e.g., UHF, VHF, UHF/VHF combination, gain requirements).

After June 12^th, if your TV (old or new) is connected to cable, satellite or another pay service, all you need to do is continue paying those monthly charges (typically $1,000+ per year for premium packages).

The good news for consumers is with the transition to DTV, you now have the option to receive, absolutely free, a crystal clear picture and sound, in addition to expanded programming over the air (OTA).  The very basic pay for service packages available probably don’t offer many additional channels over and above what you could be getting for free.  I only gave up CNN and The Discovery Channel when I canceled my limited basic Comcast cable and switched to free Digital TV.

If you have a newer TV (e.g., with an ATSC digital tuner), just connect it to a UHF/VHF antenna.

If you have an older analog TV, you will also need to add a digital converter box (HD version is available for less than $100, as well as a SD version for about $20 with the government coupon) between the antenna and TV. You can still get a government coupon but act fast, the program is scheduled to end on July 31, 2009.

I wrote a blog post in June about switching from cable television to free Digital TV and how I did it.  I am currently using very basic rabbit ears perched on top of my TV set.  As expected, reception varies and I have to adjust the rabbit ears, frequently, depending on channel, weather, or time of day.  The better the antenna, the better the TV reception, and retail could cost you anywhere between $100-$150 for a really good antenna. But, why buy if you can build you own very good HDTV antenna for very little money?

Tomorrow I will post Part 2 of the Post Digital TV Transition Explained:  Save Money by DIY - - How to Build Your Own HDTV Antenna.  If you’re willing to give up things like ESPN or HBO, you don’t have to pay/continue to pay for cable or satellite TV to be able to watch DTV, you can watch it for free. What you will need to get the most DTV free programming and the best reception post DTV transition is a good antenna. Part 2 will discuss considerations for building your own HDTV antenna, including a LPDA (Log Periodic Dipole Array) antenna my father built for less than $10.

Related Articles/Blog Posts:

How I Said Goodbye to Cable and Hello to DTV

How to Recycle An Old Satellite Receiver Set Top Box instead of Buying a Digital Converter Box

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