Neil's Spotlight Hawaii Switches to Digital Television on January 15, 2009
December 15, 2008
Big changes are coming in television broadcasting. On January 15, 2009, all full power television stations in Hawaii will stop broadcasting in analog and begin broadcasting in digital only. This is known as the DTV transition.
Hawaii will switch to DTV a full month before the rest of the nation does on February 17, 2009. Hawaii’s full-power broadcasters have volunteered to complete the switch early at the recommendation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The national mid-February date conflicts with the mating season of the endangered Hawaiian petrel, because the present Maui analog signal facility is in the petrel’s mating area. As a result, work necessary for the signal changeover would be disruptive. However, this earlier date gives Hawaii a chance to lead the nation in the transition.
Kauai will not be affected by the January 15th DTV switch. Kauai residents receive their broadcast television via low-powered transmitters. Kauai will make the transition at a later date, which has yet to be determined. Kauai residents with questions should contact the FCC’s Honolulu office at: 808-541-2388 or email hawaiidtvtransition@fcc.gov.
Some consumers are asking why they need to switch. First, all-digital broadcasting will make many additional communications channels available to police, fire and emergency rescue personnel. It will make room on the signal spectrum for new wireless services for consumers. In addition, since digital is more efficient than analog, it allows stations to broadcast several programs at the same time, instead of just one program on analog, so broadcasters can offer consumers more choices. Digital also allows broadcasters to offer improved picture and sound quality, including high definition (HDTV) programming.
It is also important to know that the end of analog broadcasting doesn’t mean you have to purchase a new TV, and you certainly don’t need to buy an HDTV to watch digital broadcasts. In Hawaii approximately 24,500 households receive over-the-air programming on analog televisions using broadcast antennae, either through “rabbit ears” or roof-top antennae. These households will only need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue watching broadcast television on their sets after January 15, 2009. The converter boxes cost between $40 and $70, and are available at most electronics stores. An antenna you use to receive analog broadcasts should work for receiving digital broadcasts, both on a DTV and on an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box.
To help you with the cost of digital-to-analog converter boxes, each household can request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, for the purchase of eligible boxes. This coupon program is being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). For more information on the coupon program visit https://www.dtv2009.gov/ or call 1-888-DTV-2009.
If you watch over-the-air programming on a DTV (a TV with a built-in digital tuner), you will not need a digital-to-analog converter box. And if you subscribe to a paid television service such as cable or satellite TV, you will not need a digital-to-analog converter box, and the TVs connected to your paid service will continue to receive local broadcast programming.
Finally, the FCC is looking for local governmental entities (fire departments, etc), schools and local non-profit organizations to help senior citizens and other at-risk consumers hook up their converter boxes. These micro-contracts are awarded on an expedited basis. They pay about $25 per converter box installed, and are a great way for interested organizations to serve their community and raise funds. Again, if you or anyone you know is interested in this opportunity, please contact the FCC at 808-541-2388 or hawaiidtvtransition@fcc.gov.
