DTV Transition

DTV is a new type of broadcasting technology that will transform television as we now know it. DTV technology will allow broadcasters to offer television with movie-quality picture and CD-quality sound, along with a variety of other enhancements. DTV technology can also be used to transmit large amounts of other data into the home, which may be accessible by using your computer or television set.

Background 

For many years broadband technology was primarily used by consumers as a way to access the Internet and exchange information. Now, high-speed connections provide consumers with the ability to use services and capabilities – such as voice over-Internet telephony (VoIP) and Internet TV – that far exceed simple access to the World Wide Web. Traditional broadcast television services are undergoing a similarly dramatic change.

Legislation passed in February 2006 mandated that broadcasters to transition from analog to digital broadcast television by February 17, 2009. This transition, known as the Digital Television (DTV) transition, will have significant implications for viewers.

The use of digital television signals provides advantages compared to analog transmission. Digital television signal provides better picture quality and sound reception. Digital transmission is also more efficient than analog transmission. Several digital television signals can be transmitted in the same amount of spectrum necessary for one analog television signal. This efficiency makes DTV services possible. DTV provides new uses such as multiple video programs or access to other services on a single television channel, including data services, and interactive capability.

Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop. After that date, owners of analog televisions that receive over-the-air programming will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format. Cable and satellite subscribers with analog TVs would contact their service providers about obtaining converter boxes for the DTV transition.

HTTP's position

HTTP believes the DTV transition requires forethought and planning on the part of policymakers in order to prevent a significant and disproportionally negative impact on Hispanic households.

To read more about HTTP’s position on the DTV transition, click here.