DTV NEWS

Broadcasting & Cable Creates “DTV Transition 101: A Video Guide”

NEW YORK-On February 18, 2009 – six months from today – the television industry will enter a new era as all full-power broadcast stations shut off their analog signals and complete the transition to all-digital broadcasting.

To help TV viewers understand how this momentous change will affect them, Broadcasting & Cable (B&C), the leading industry source for news and analysis on the business of television, with the help of how-to video site MonkeySee.com, has created “DTV Transition 101,” an online video guide now viewable on www.Broadcastingcable.com/DTV101 and on www.MonkeySee.com.

B&C assembled a roster of experts from U.S. Commerce Department; National Association of Broadcasters; National Cable & Telecommunications Association; Consumer Electronics Association; and LG Electronics to explain the various aspects of digital TV and the analog shutoff.

Presented as a series of six short video clips, “DTV Transition 101” provides:

“The DTV transition next February is going to be one of the most important events in the history of television,” said Ben Grossman, editor of Broadcasting & Cable. “Thanks to the expertise of the participants and the elegant production by MonkeySee.com, this video series offers answers to viewers’ fundamental questions about how the switch to digital will affect them.”

“This is the most comprehensive series of its type available online,” said MonkeySee.com CEO & Co-founder Greg Letourneau. “By capturing B&C’s all-star lineup of experts in MonkeySee’s easy-to-navigate video format, viewers now have a quick and simple way to bridge the analog-to-digital divide under the advice and instruction of the television industry’s top authorities.”

“DTV Transition 101” is available for streaming at B&C’s Website, Broadcastingcable.com, and on MonkeySee.com, the Web’s destination for expert how-to videos on nearly any topic imaginable.

SONY, CABLE FIRMS ACT TO ELIMINATE SET-TOP BOXES




By David B. Wilkerson

6:44 PM ET May 27, 2008




CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Consumers will be able to buy digital
 televisions that
allow them to receive cable service without a set-top box under an
 agreement
announced Tuesday between Sony Corp. and six of the biggest U.S. cable
 operators.

Industry leaders said that by eliminating the box, cable companies can
 simplify
installation and reduce costs, while consumers will have one less
 component to worry
about in home theater systems.

The agreement establishes a technological standard that will enable a
 new generation
of TVs to include video-on-demand, digital video recording, interactive
 programming
guides and other services, the National Cable & Telecommunications
 Association
said.

"This is a landmark agreement which will provide a national, open and
 interactive
platform resulting in more choices of services and products for
 consumers," said Kyle
McSlarrow, head of the group, in a written statement.

Sony   signed the agreement with Comcast Corp. , Time Warner Cable ,
 Cox
Communications, Charter Communications , Cablevision Systems Corp.  and
 Bright House
Networks.

For technical reasons, satellite providers are unable to provide
 two-way interactive
services such as VOD.

The cable operators, with the exception of Charter, have pledged to
 adopt the
two-way standard by mid-summer 2009, an NCTA spokeswoman said.

It wasn't immediately clear what impact the development ultimately will
 have on
set-top box makers like Motorola Inc.  and Cisco Systems Inc. , the
 parent of
Scientific Atlanta.

During an interview at the NCTA's annual Cable Show, a Cisco executive
 said the
company would still play a prominent role even if the traditional cable
 box gives way
to newer technology.

"The set top box may go away, as we know it today," said Dave Clark,
 director of
product strategy & management for North American Cable set-top box
 products at
Cisco. "But I think it's going to be morph into something else ... You
 may have some
device, whether hand-held or otherwise, and it may be located in a
 different part of
the house, a long way away from the TV.

"But it's going to be providing the functionality coming into the house
 to be able
to decode high-definition content, move it around the house, and
 ultimately, out to
other places -- your hotel room, or what have you," Clark said.

Through the agreement, cable operators say they'll be able to develop
 and offer new
services in competition against telephone companies and satellite
 providers.

Sony and the cable operators will adopt a Java-based application called
 tru2way as
the nationwide interactive standard, which will allow for the
 manufacture of new
"plug-and-play" interactive devices that can be used with TV sets.

The technology will make it easier for consumers to receive the full
 range of
cable-based services on other devices, such as laptops, MP3 players,
 and cell phones.
 

What Is Digital Television?

Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities.

Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.

The Transition to Digital TV

TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.

The Commission's digital tuner rule specifies that as of March 1, 2007, all new TVs must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner. Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009.

To address this issue, the FCC has adopted a rule requiring sellers to display the following text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog broadcast tuner:

Analog TVs Will Need Additional Equipment to Receive Over-the-air Television When the DTV Transition Ends

Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.

Converter Box Coupon Program

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.

Cable and Satellite TV

Cable subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable provider what you will need and when.

Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to receive and view high definition digital programming. You should ask your satellite company what you will need and when.

Digital television Quality Levels

If you think you need a converter box, click here to apply for a coupon

https://www.dtv2009.gov/