Whether you’re just starting out or in the midst of getting your coach’s TV digitally ready, here’s a little information to help you make the DTV switch.

By Whitney Elkington

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Recently Lifestyles Online posted the following poll question: “Are you ready for the switch to Digital TV (DTV)?” The question received a huge response from you. According to the poll’s results, 73 percent of you are already prepared for the digital TV transition, while the other 27 percent would like some more information. So whether you’re just starting out, in the midst of getting your coach’s TV digitally ready (or even if you’ve already made the change and just weren’t sure why you needed to), here’s a little more information to help you make (or better understand) the DTV switch.

What exactly is “the DTV switch”?
Since before Americans began inviting “Howdy Doody” into their living rooms in 1947, TV broadcasters have been sending programs to viewers’ TVs via analog signals. (In case you’re not familiar with the term, analog signals are the result of a process that takes video and audio signals, like a rousing rendition of “Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Ay” for instance, and breaks them down into electronic pulses sent out to a receiver like your phone or TV).

In a short time most of those analog signals will be stripped from the air and replaced with digital signals. (Digital signals are the result of a newer process that takes video images and audio waves like “Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Ay” and breaks them down into a chain of code, transfers them to your phone or TV where it reassembles them and delivers them to you in all their nostalgic glory).

And if all this is news to you, you may be thinking, what’s the big deal? Well, TVs with analog-only tuners cannot receive a digital signal. So after the switch, they won’t function properly without being adjusted to process digital signals.

So, why the switch then?
Well, digital signals occupy less space on the air waves. So using digital signals exclusively will allow that extra space to be available for use by emergency services like police, fire departments and emergency transport as well as wireless services (So that may also mean additional TV channels for the public as well. Channel-surfers rejoice!).

When will the switch go into effect?
February 17, 2009 is the official Day of Digital Reckoning. On this date, most stations will cease to use over-the-air analog broadcasts and turn to exclusive use of digital signals. According to the Federal Communications Commission, over 1,600 TV stations in the U.S. are already broadcasting both analog and digital programs in preparation for the big day.

How might the switch affect me and my coach?
That depends on two things: namely, you and your coach.

According to Monaco Coach Corporation Technical Publications staff, “The change might affect a small number of Monaco Coach owners with 2008 model year coaches, a number of coach owners with 2007 model year coaches, many 2006 model year coaches and all 2005 and previous year model coaches. (Remember that model year of your coach does not necessarily coincide with the model year of your coach’s TV.)”

However, take heart. If your TV is hooked up to shore cable or a satellite provider, you will continue to receive your regular TV programming. Just check with your cable or satellite company to be sure you do not need to upgrade your package. If you have a digital TV with an ATSC tuner (that’s the most common type of digital signal receiver used in Monaco Coach Corporation products) you should be just fine. (No matter your situation, your coach’s TV antenna should continue to function just fine.) If none of the scenarios listed above describe your situation, there’s still hope. Keep reading.

How do I know if I need to make the switch or not?
To find out whether or not your TV is already digital-ready, look on the TV or in the TV’s owners manual for the tuner type. (In Monaco Coach Corporation products a TV with a digital tuner should have an ATSC tuner.) (An NTSC tuner is a type of analog tuner used in some coaches older than model year 2007.) If that doesn’t do it for you — meaning if you’re like me and have no idea how to find such an item on your TV or where in the world that owners manual went to — here’s another guideline. All televisions manufactured after March 1, 2007 were required to be manufactured with an ATSC (digital) tuner. Most TVs manufactured before July 1, 2005 were manufactured with an NTSC (analog) tuner. If you’ve got an ATSC tuner you’re home free. If not, and you are not a satellite subscriber or hooked up to shore cable you will most likely be affected by the change. 

I think I may need to take some digital action. Now what?
If you want to be able to continue receiving programming after February 17, 2009, there are three ways you can prepare for the digital switch.

Option 1:
You can connect your analog TV to a digital converter box (a handy dandy little invention that carries a digital tuner and an analog tuner so your TV can use both signals). Digital-to-analog converter boxes cost between $40 and $70, and one converter box needs to be attached to each analog device you own in order for that device to work (one converter box per TV/DVD player/VCR). To help consumers defray the cost of purchasing the converter boxes, the U.S. government is offering two coupons with a value of $40 each per household. (Coupons will expire 90 days after mailing.)

There are a number of converter boxes produced by assorted manufacturers for you to choose from. One thing to be aware of when shopping for a converter box: no matter which model you choose, in order to use the government-issued coupon your selected converter box needs to have a government-approved feature: pass-through capability. If you click on the fast-approaching link you’ll find the FCC’s list of coupon-eligible converter box models: https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.

You can apply for your converter box coupons at www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009.

Option 2:
Replace your analog TV with a digital TV (one with a built-in digital tuner). A high definition digital TV is not required for receiving a digital signal nor will high-definition television service be provided to you after the transition if you are not already an HDTV subscriber. (I join with non-subscribers in the collective sigh of disappointment.)

Option 3:
Subscribe to a paid satellite provider or hook up to cable service.

Where can I buy a converter box?
Nowadays you can hardly walk down an electronics aisle in any big box or retail store without being clobbered by a mob of converter boxes. So those are the best places to look. 

Once I have it, how do I install my converter box?
For basic instructions and several diagrams explaining how to install converter boxes in your Monaco Coach Corporation RV go to http://www.monacocoach.com/service/index.html (right side, mid-page titled: “Analog to Digital TV”)

What are the benefits of making the switch?
With all that new-found roominess on the air waves broadcasters will be able to offer multiple programs in several different resolutions (High, Enhanced or Standard) on the same channel simultaneously — all using one broadcast signal in a form of broadcasting called “multicasting.” And according to the FCC’s “DTV Booklet” (page 5), “A broadcaster can use its DTV signal to offer video and data services that are not possible on an analog set.” Digital TV signals will also provide you with a sharper picture and in theory better sound quality as well.

So, What are the drawbacks?
Um… there aren’t any really. If you’re getting the converter boxes, making the switch costs a little money (the $40 to $70 mentioned earlier) plus the time it will take to install them, but afterward you’re digitally ready to go with the added perks of a clearer picture, crisper sound and potentially more channels for your trouble.

Where can I get more information?
The best place to go to is the source: the Federal Communications Commission. You can find the Commission’s website at: www.dtv.gov.

For more specific information on how to make your coach DTV ready, call Monaco Coach Corporation tech support at (877) 466-6226 or click on the following link http://www.lifestyles-mag.com/index.php/contact/.

 

Have you made the digital switch? What helped make the digital transition easier for you?