Will I Need A New TV?

Your current television will work as it does now until analog broadcasting stops. After the transition is over in February 2009, your analog TV can still work but needs a way to convert the digital signal. One of the ways to convert the signal is a cable or satellite provider. Another way your current analog television will work is through a digital television (DTV) converter box. While these methods will deliver the signal to your analog TV, you may not see all the benefits of DTV. You must have a DTV or HDTV set to enjoy the full quality of DTV programming.

DTV Programs can come in SDTV, EDTV or HDTV quality. HDTV, or high definition television, is highest resolution of the three formats listed here. HD formats allow sharper, clearer and brighter pictures. Televisions are considered HD-ready if the screen has enough pixels to display a high definition picture and must be capable of displaying pictures with either 720 or 1080 horizontal lines. Finally, the programs themselves must be made and transmitted in HD for your HDTV to get the full quality of HD.