Digital TV Transition Nate Gallert CBE 555 February 23, 2009

Outline What is it? What is it? Impact Impact Pros/Cons Pros/Cons Why it is happening Why it is happening Current progress Current progress Example of successful transition Example of successful transition

What is it? TV signals will be broadcast exclusively in digital format – not necessarily in HD TV signals will be broadcast exclusively in digital format – not necessarily in HD No more analog signals No more analog signals “Bunny-ear” antennas won’t work “Bunny-ear” antennas won’t work

What’s the difference? Analog TV signal Analog TV signal Sends a complete picture 30 times per second Sends a complete picture 30 times per second Has “graceful degredation” outside service range Has “graceful degredation” outside service range Sends all channels continuously through coaxial cable Sends all channels continuously through coaxial cable

What’s the difference? Digital TV signal Digital TV signal More efficient compression allows more information to be sent within same bandwidth More efficient compression allows more information to be sent within same bandwidth Sends only reference frames and intermittent changes Sends only reference frames and intermittent changes Consumers select desired channel signal to be sent to TV Consumers select desired channel signal to be sent to TV

Who does this affect? People using over-the-air “bunny ear” antennas People using over-the-air “bunny ear” antennas Rural areas Rural areas Low-income households Low-income households Elderly Elderly

Who does this affect? 21 million homes receive over-the-air TV signals (15% of population) 21 million homes receive over-the-air TV signals (15% of population) 45 million TVs in these homes (2.1 TVs/home) 45 million TVs in these homes (2.1 TVs/home) 28 million additional TVs in homes with cable or satellite 28 million additional TVs in homes with cable or satellite 73 million TVs don’t have digital tuners 73 million TVs don’t have digital tuners

Benefits of Digital Format Multicasting: more effective use of bandwidth from more efficient compression Multicasting: more effective use of bandwidth from more efficient compression Interactive TV viewing Interactive TV viewing Increased revenue for government Increased revenue for government Availability of analog frequencies for other uses Availability of analog frequencies for other uses

Downsides to Digital Format Older TVs only have analog tuner; people have to purchase and install converter boxes Older TVs only have analog tuner; people have to purchase and install converter boxes TV may get caught up on a reference frame TV may get caught up on a reference frame Multipath reflection : over-the-air signal bounces off nearby buildings, causing different frames to hit TV at same time Multipath reflection : over-the-air signal bounces off nearby buildings, causing different frames to hit TV at same time May need to move antenna depending on the channel being watched May need to move antenna depending on the channel being watched

Why is this happening? Legislature learned Japan had high-definition TV as early as 1980s (analog format) Legislature learned Japan had high-definition TV as early as 1980s (analog format) US Government wanted to develop new broadcasting system (Advanced Television System Committee) US Government wanted to develop new broadcasting system (Advanced Television System Committee) Found digital broadcasting wasn’t effective unless compressed Found digital broadcasting wasn’t effective unless compressed

Types of Digital Formats 18 authorized DTV formats 18 authorized DTV formats Standard Standard Enhanced Enhanced High definition (includes 1080i and 720p formats) High definition (includes 1080i and 720p formats)

1080i – 1,080 lines on screen 1080i – 1,080 lines on screen Transmits odd lines, then even, and interlaces Transmits odd lines, then even, and interlaces 720p – 720 lines on screen, one after another 720p – 720 lines on screen, one after another Types of Digital Formats

Why is this happening? Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Revenue from selling access rights to 108 MHz of analog frequencies (~$20B) Revenue from selling access rights to 108 MHz of analog frequencies (~$20B) Analog frequencies then used for public safety systems or advanced cellular services Analog frequencies then used for public safety systems or advanced cellular services

What is being done to help? Can apply for up to two $40 vouchers to offset costs of buying digital converter box ($50-$70) Can apply for up to two $40 vouchers to offset costs of buying digital converter box ($50-$70) Jan million households not ready for switch Jan million households not ready for switch Couldn’t afford box/didn’t get coupon Couldn’t afford box/didn’t get coupon Voucher program ran out of funding Voucher program ran out of funding Retail locations ran out of converter boxes Retail locations ran out of converter boxes

Transition Delayed Originally set for February 17, 2009 Originally set for February 17, 2009 Current economic situation – people can’t afford to buy the converter boxes Current economic situation – people can’t afford to buy the converter boxes Don’t want people ‘left in the dark’ Don’t want people ‘left in the dark’ Date pushed back until June 12, 2009 Date pushed back until June 12, 2009 $650M more funding for box coupons $650M more funding for box coupons

Transition Delayed 500 stations nationwide applied to FCC to switch to digital anyway 500 stations nationwide applied to FCC to switch to digital anyway Only allowed if at least one station in area still has analog signal (123 applications rejected) Only allowed if at least one station in area still has analog signal (123 applications rejected) Added expense to continue broadcasting in both analog and digital ($22M for PBS) Added expense to continue broadcasting in both analog and digital ($22M for PBS)

Working Out the Kinks Limited number of stations in a particular area at this point Limited number of stations in a particular area at this point Grainy, unresolved images Grainy, unresolved images Blacked out screens Blacked out screens Coverage maps - Coverage maps -

Successful Transition Three major networks in San Diego, CA switched to digital February 18, 2009 Three major networks in San Diego, CA switched to digital February 18, 2009 Local stations had run aggressive campaigns to notify viewers they would be switching Local stations had run aggressive campaigns to notify viewers they would be switching Believed that 30,000 homes in viewing area unprepared for switch Believed that 30,000 homes in viewing area unprepared for switch

Successful Transition Stations set up call centers to handle the expected large number of viewer complaints Stations set up call centers to handle the expected large number of viewer complaints Transition went smoothly Transition went smoothly ABC affiliate – 50 calls ABC affiliate – 50 calls CBS affiliate – 20 calls, 30 s CBS affiliate – 20 calls, 30 s Fox affiliate – 20 calls Fox affiliate – 20 calls

Contacts For Questions CALLFCC ( ) CALLFCC ( )

Questions?

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