Why is Digital Television Better?

You may have heard that we are currently in a transition period from analog television to digital television (DTV). Analog television has been the standard since we began to use magnetic waves to transmit picture and sound. February 17, 2009, has been set as the end of the transition period to DTV as the national standard.

DTV is better than analog in several ways. DTV will give you access to a wide variety of different and new services. With DTV, the information is transferred in "data bits." The amount of space required to transmit these "data bits" is much smaller than what is required for analog television. Not only is the sound and picture quality improved with DTV, but due to the DTV's efficiency, DTV also frees up some of the broadcast spectrum, allowing space in the spectrum for other uses.

Although you will be able to watch TV on your analog TV once the transition is complete (through a set-up box that converts the signal), you will have to get a new digital television if you want the full quality of DTV.

To find out more about DTV, visit the FCC's Official DTV Web site.