Vision - January/February 2008 - (Page 20) tech Policy news from washington ] • [ by J. david grossman Do I Need a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box? Digital-to-analog converter boxes soon will be available at local CE retailers. If you watch television programming using an over-the-air signal (via a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears”) and have a television with only an analog receiver (no built-in digital tuner), then you will need a converter box to convert the new digital signal back to analog. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) manages a program to provide each U.S. household with up to two $40 coupons upon request that are good toward the purchase of two converter boxes. For more information, visit: www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon. Note: If your analog television is connected by cable, satellite or telco video services, then you will not need to purchase a converter box. Your service will continue as before. D Transitioning to DTV tions on how to set-up and use a digital television converter box (see sidebar). Together, the video and Quick Start Guide are key educational resources for consumers. Media outreach also is an important component of CEA’s education efforts. Beyond press kit mailings, CEA has produced satellite media tours and articles in English and Spanish that appear on local television stations and in print publications nationwide. Educating policymakers at the local, state and national level has been an equally important aspect of the DTV education campaign. In May 2007, CEA prepared a DTV Toolkit for legislators, which focuses on answering constituent questions about the transition. The toolkit was distributed to all members of Congress and an electronic version of the materials is available at www.CE.org/HDTV. CEA continues to provide updated information for policymakers and their constituents. uring the past several months, you have likely seen articles, television commercials and other media highlighting the transition to digital television (DTV). This year marks the tenth anniversary of DTV. More than 50 percent of all U.S. households own at least one DTV. As a comparison, ten years after the introduction of the color TV, a mere five percent of homes had purchased their first set. This is an exciting time for consumers with the price of DTV sets continuing to decline and more high-definition (HD) programming becoming available. With the DTV transition date set for February 17, 2009, CEA is actively engaged in efforts to ensure that television service remains uninterrupted for all Americans. To accomplish this task, CEA has launched a comprehensive education campaign aimed at consumers, retailers, manufacturers and legislators. CEA produced a nine-minute video called DTV 101: A Consumer’s Guide to Digital Television, which explains the steps a consumer may or may not need to take in order to prepare for the transition. The video is being distributed to broadcasters, pay TV service providers, and consumer groups and also is available on CEA’s website. CEA also published a digital converter box Quick Start Guide to provide simple step-by-step instrucJanuary/February 2008 In 2007, CEA promoted the DTV transition at various events including the FCC’s Digital Television Consumer Education Workshops, NTIA’s Digital Television Transition Expo, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), and Digital Life. CEA will continue to exhibit at events in 2008, to explain the DTV transition and converter box coupon program. The task of educating consumers about the DTV transition can’t be done alone, so in February 2007, CEA became a founding member of the DTV Transition Coalition. The diverse coalition includes government agencies; consumer groups; members of the broadcast, cable and CE industries; and many others. The DTV Transition Coalition website (www.DTVtransition.org), which CEA developed, offers answers to frequently asked questions and links consumers with industry and government agency resources about the transition. Share this information with friends, family and colleagues to make sure they know the facts about DTV. By working together, the industry can ensure a smooth transition to digital television. • CEA Websites Promote DTV • www.DigitalTips.org: These interactive buying guides educate consumers about DTV. • www.antennaweb.org: This mapping tool helps consumers determine which type of outdoor antenna is needed. • www.CEKnowhow: This retailer education program can be customized and licensed by retailers to suit their particular needs. • www.CE.org/connections_applications: The Connections Guide instructs consumers on how to connect their audio and video (including DTV) products. • www.CE.org: Information for manufacturers and retailers on HDTV and DTV. www.ce.org 20 PicturePress/Getty Images http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon http://www.DTVtransition.org http://www.CE.org/HDTV http://www.DigitalTips.org http://www.antennaweb.org http://www.CEKnowhow.com http://www.CE.org/connections_applications http://www.CE.org http://www.ce.org
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