Digital Transition Frequently Asked Questions

This guide will give you what you need to know about the 2009 Digital Transition. It's important to know that Charter is your friend in the Digital Transition…

You may choose a topic or question from the list below or scroll through all of the questions to browse Digital Transition topics.

What is Digital Transition?

Congress has mandated that by February 17, 2009 American TV over-the-air broadcasters (e.g. ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, Fox, Univision, PBS) must switch from analog to digital broadcasting.

How will I be affected by the Digital Transition?

 

• As a Charter residential or business customer, we’ve got you covered. We offer you the best solution for the Digital Transition.
• If your TV is connected to Charter Cable or Charter Digital Cable, you can sit back and relax, you don’t have to do anything!
• Have analog TVs that aren’t connected to Charter yet? No problem. We have solutions for you. A Charter technician can get your TVs properly connected to Charter – often no receiver box is needed.

 

Why is over-the-air television going to digital technology anyway?

This change in how over-the-air broadcast TV stations send out signals is dictated by federal government policies, and is designed to yield two primary public benefits:

• Communications spectrum that used to be consumed by analog broadcasts will be available to first responders, such as local police and fire departments, to improve communications and coordination during emergencies.
• Digital broadcasts will yield sharper pictures, allow local stations to broadcast in high–definition, and allow stations to produce and air more channels.

 

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What is the coupon program I have heard about and how does it work with Charter?

 

• As a Charter customer, you can avoid the hassle of the coupon program altogether. But if your analog television is not connected to cable, one option is to buy a digital-to-analog converter from participating retailers that are expected to cost between $40 - $70 each. If you choose to do so, you can get up to 2 coupons, worth $40 each, to help pay for the converters. The coupon voucher program is available via the U.S. Commerce Department.
• The coupons cannot be applied to Charter services or equipment. (Note: Some retail digital-to-analog converters may also require a digital antenna) Click here for a Digital Transition TV Set Overview.

 

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Will analog TV’s literally go blank?

Unless they’re connected to a pay TV service such as cable or satellite, or to a retail digital-to-analog converter box, their TV broadcast picture will go dark. The good news is that your older sets will continue to receive broadcast over-the-air signals if they are connected to cable, or to a retail digital-to-analog converter.

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What if I recently purchased a new TV set?

The TV sets that will need some special care generally are older “analog” TV sets. Chances are if you’ve purchased a newer “digital” TV set, in the last 3–4 years, it won’t need a special converter to pick up and display the new digital over–the–air TV stations. That’s because many digital sets have a built–in tuner that can receive digital over–the–air signals. Please refer to your owner’s manual to determine whether your TV has a digital tuner.

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Will a newer TV pick up cable channels?

For any TV to pick up cable channels it must be connected to a cable outlet and you must subscribe to cable service from your local cable company. A new TV will generally pick up over–the–air digital broadcasting. Traditionally these are the network channels, PBS, and another local channel or two.

For any TV to pick up cable channels it must be connected to a cable outlet and you must subscribe to cable service from your local cable company.

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Can I use my coupon to pay for cable?

No. The coupon only applies to converter boxes bought in local electronics stores. But, with Charter Cable TV®, there’s no equipment to buy and additional sets can be connected to Charter cable for as low as $5.00¹.

¹$5 – $6.95 depending on market.

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What about HDTV?

Many – but not all – broadcast television stations will be sending out their signals in high–definition resolution. In order to enjoy these special HD versions of the signals, customers must have an HD–capable TV, and must either:

• Be connected to a pay HD service (with a HD receiver); or
• Outfit your home with a special HD over–the–air antenna.

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