About 1/3^rd of the full-power broadcasting stations have done the switch to “digital only” broadcast on the original deadline of 17^th Feb 2009. In places where the transition is done, the DTV Helplines did receive a lot of calls – mostly related to channel number changes and differences in strength of the digital signal as compared to the analog one.

Background

Digging up some history about the DTV saga, I learnt that the transition to all digital over-the-air broadcast has been in the works since 1996. The formal law mandating this transition was passed in 2005 and titled “Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005”.  The “DTV Delay Act” was signed on 11^th Feb 2009, and delayed the transition to 12^th Jun 2009, but allowing broadcasters to choose their transitions in a phased manner before that date. The DTV transition moved from a “Big-Bang” to a more practical “Phased” approach.

How does “Digital TV” differ from “Analog TV”?

Analog Television is the traditional NTSC (in the US) format in which television signals have been transmitted. (Like all Analog signals, the Television video & audio signals vary continuously over time.) In Digital Television, the television video & audio signals are sampled and quantized into discrete levels. These signals are then encoded using standard encoding techniques, compressed if necessary, and then modulated and transmitted over the media (over the air in case of broadcast, or via cable). The ATSC specifications are all digital specifications – SDTV (Standard Definition Television), HDTV (High Definition Television).  Starting March 1, 2007, new television sets that receive signals over-the-air, including pocket sized portable televisions, must include digital or HDTV tuners for digital broadcasts.

Who is affected by the DTV transition?

The current DTV transition in the US only affects people who are using Analog Televisions and rely on over-the-air broadcasts (using an antenna). FCC and Nielsen estimate this to be about 20 to 40 million of the approx. 120 million television households in the US. (Others who rely on cable, satellite or other means are not affected by this transition. Even among such households, typically, a secondary/backup television is present which relies on analog broadcast.) 

Only Full Power Broadcasting stations will be transitioning to “Only Digital” in this phase. For the past many years, these stations have been broadcasting in both Analog and Digital formats, thereby incurring higher costs. The stations will be only too happy to switch off the Analog broadcast.

(Low Power Television stations will not be transitioning to Digital now, leading to another interesting twist.)

Why move to Digital Broadcast?

Quoting from the FCC’s DTV transition site:

“An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).”

High Power Television Broadcasters use channels in the UHF band. By moving to digital, these Channels can be freed up. The Federal Government stands to earn substantial amounts by auctioning this portion of the spectrum. Already, a large part of the 700MHz spectrum has been auctioned. The Broadcasters will save costs, since they can switch off the analog transmission now. The consumer will get higher quality transmission if he views in digital. The advantage of Digital Television is better clarity…. Also, Value Added Services are possible. One 6MHz channel can be used to send multiple digital channels (up to 7 or 8).

Managing the DTV transition:

Agencies

The primary agencies responsible for the DTV transition are the FCC and the NTIA. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) – an industry group of Broadcasters also helped with education of the DTV transition.

Options for consumers

Since most households in the US had televisions with analog tuners, the options they had in case of a DTV switch were:

a)      Buy a television with a digital tuner

b)      Switch to Cable or Satellite

c)       Purchase a Digital-to-Analog converter box

Also affected will be equipment such as Video recorders which rely on analog tuners. In order to watch one channel while recording another on a Video recorder, some additional setup will need to be done by the consumer (either using a splitter or another converter box.)

Coupon program

Most consumers preferred to purchase a Digital-To-Analog Converter box. Since the government stood to make a lot of money by auctioning the freed-up analog spectrum, Congressmen insisted that the cost of a Converter box be subsidized by the government. Thus was born the DTV Converter coupon program. In 2006, a bill was passed to give each household two DTV coupons worth $40 each to cover the cost of purchasing a Digital to Analog Converter box. Unfortunately, as is human, most consumers put off claiming or redeeming these coupons till the last minute, leading to the coupon program running out of money – and resulting in a waiting list.

Early Adopters

The first city to move to DTV was Wilmington, NC on 8^th Sep 2008, and Hawaii became the first state to do so on 15^th Jan 2009.

Postponement

In hard negotiations since Obama became president, it was decided that the best interests would be served by postponing the countrywide DTV transition to June 12. About 1/3^rd of the full-power broadcasting stations have switched over to DTV on 17^th Feb, and the remaining would do so in phases till 12 June. From 13^th June, there would be no high-power broadcasting station broadcasting analog signals.

Controversies spun off from the DTV transition

The white-space debate

This refers both to unused spectrum in between designated channels, as well as unused channels. Google, Microsoft and a bunch of other companies petitioned for usage of white space for providing wireless broadband and other such services. Overruling opposition from the broadcasters, the FCC has allowed usage of white-space after performing tests.

Cable companies moving channels to digital

People complained that Cable operators were taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the DTV transition to move their analog channels to digital. There is no mandate right now for Cable operators to move their channels to digital, but they have been doing this over many years to optimize their bandwidth limitations. Now, the Cable companies have agreed to a temporary halt to these movements till after the “Broadcast DTV transition” is completed to avoid confusion. Cable companies are also offering a free adaptor to all customers having analog tuners. (There are complaints that this adaptor is only free for the 1st year though.)

DTV in India ?

There is hardly any discussion in India on moving from Analog broadcast to Digital. This is probably because: a) the spectrum allocated for broadcast is small (due to the limited channels – DD only) and b) the high penetration of Cable Television and Satellite Television

But, Digital broadcast can be considered in India as an alternative to “Mobile TV” being pursued by the mobile operators. If Prasar Bharathi can function like a Cable or Satellite television operator and broadcast 100+ channels in a digital format, there would be many takers, especially people on the move.