AtlantaDTV: What is DTV?

Same programming in digital clarity
Digital television is the same TV programming and the same broadcast stations that have been available for free. With new technology, that programming is now delivered over-the-air using a digital signal. The digital signal assures that the picture and sound will be crystal clear.

Free over-the-air broadcasts
Eight Atlanta TV stations now transmit both analog and digital signals over-the-air for free. The digital signals use VHF and UHF channels (channels 2 - 69), just as the old analog broadcasts did.

Antenna, tuner, and display
Conventional tuners in TVs and VCRs only tune the conventional analog signal. Digital TV tuners can tune the digital signal. Many new DTV tuners will tune both the digital and analog signals. In all cases, the same antenna can be used to receive these over-the-air signals. The DTV tuners are generally the size of a typical VCR and are designed to connect to the television display in much the same way as a VCR or DVD player.

Digital vs. analog
Because these signals are digital, the resulting picture you receive is identical to what the station sends out. The old problems that plagued analog reception with antennas, such as ghosting, snow and unclear pictures, are completely eliminated. The network programming available through broadcast television is now available, for free, in digital clarity. The picture quality is at least as good as, and in most cases superior to, analog reception, cable, digital cable, and digital satellite. In particular, this is the only way to get most network HDTV programming in high definition.

Atlanta digital stations and networks
The four major network affiliates in Atlanta, ABC affiliate WSB, Fox affiliate WAGA, NBC affiliate WXIA, and CBS affiliate WGCL, as well as WTBS, PAX affiliate WPXA, WB affiliate WATL, and UPN affiliate WUPA are each broadcasting a digital signal in addition to their analog signal. The remaining Atlanta stations (namely the two PBS affilates) are working on rolling out their digital transmissions over the next year or so.

HDTV over-the-air
Networks' HDTV programming is carried in their over-the-air digital broadcasts (not over cable or satellite). Even when the station's or network's programming is not in HDTV quality, the regular programming is broadcast and received in the highest quality digital clarity available anywhere.

Atlanta Stations' current
Analog and Digital Transmissions

Analog Channel	Station (Network)	Digital Channel
2	WSB (ABC)	39
5	WAGA (FOX)	27
11	WXIA (NBC)	10
17	WTBS (TBS)	20
34	WPXA (PAX)	51
36	WATL (WB)	25
46	WGCL (CBS)	19
69	WUPA (UPN)	43
WHOT, WPBA (PBS), and are scheduled to begin their digital transmissions in 2003.

Television Timeline

FCC mandates transition to digital
The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that a transition to digital television transmission begin. Across the U.S., television stations have been ordered to begin sending their signals using the digital transmission.

Transition from analog to all digital
We are currently in the transition period. During this time, stations are broadcasting both a digital and analog signal. The programming on the two signals is usually the same. However, HDTV can only be seen on the digital broadcast.

Analog signal will cease to exist
The FCC plan is to eliminate analog transmission of television broadcasts later this decade. At that time, television will only be broadcast digitally.

Why Digital TV?

Atlanta Digital Television The future of television is here!
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