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Frequently Asked Questions: Digital Television
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Table of content
The Transition
What is the August 31, 2011 deadline?
The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has set the deadline for digital (DTV) transition for August 31, 2011. By that date, Canadian over-the-air television stations will stop broadcasting in analog, using digital signals instead. In some remote and northern areas the transition will occur after the above date. Most developed countries have already switched, or are planning to switch, to DTV before 2012.
Why Are we Switching to Digital Television (DTV)?
DTV offers more options than analog television. Digital television takes up less airwave (spectrum) space than analog television, so the conversion to digital will free up some valuable airwave space for other important services, like advanced wireless and public safety services (police, fire departments, etc.). The changeover will also offer more channels, and better picture and sound quality to viewers.
What is the Difference Between Analog Television and Digital Television (DTV)?
In comparison with analog, digital broadcasting provides sharper pictures, improved sound, and more channels.
Will the United States' Transition to Digital, Expected to be Completed by June 12, 2009, Affect Canadians?
Canadians using an analog television to receive over-the-air broadcast signals from the United States will be affected. These viewers will need a set-top converter box to continue to receive channels from the U.S. once this transition takes place. The United States' conversion is expected to be completed by June 12, 2009. Some stations have already made the switch to digital.
Canadians will continue to receive Canadian television stations.
When Should I Begin Preparing for the Transition?
All Canadians should start to check their television sets and the source of their television signals to find out if, and what, they need to do to prepare. While you have until August 31, 2011 to complete any necessary preparations, purchasing and installing new television equipment can take time, therefore it is important to begin well in advance of the transition date.
If you live close to the Canada-U.S. border and want to continue to receive television over-the-air from the United States, you will need to prepare for the American transition, expected to be completed by June 12, 2009. Some stations have already made the switch to digital.
If you receive your television by cable or satellite you will not be affected by the transition.
My Television
Will My Television Set Still Work?
Yes it will still work, but if you have an analog TV that receives television signals over-the-air, you will need to take action, such as purchase a converter box to continue watching television after the transition takes place. If your TV is connected to cable or satellite, the change will not affect you. If you have a digital TV (with a built-in digital tuner), you will not need to purchase a converter box as your TV is already equipped to receive digital television over-the-air.
How Do I Know if I Have an Analog or Digital Television?
To determine if you have an analog or digital television, you need to check your television set to identify whether it has an analog or a digital tuner.
First, check your owner's manual to see if it states that your set has a digital tuner. If it is not listed in the manual, contact the television's manufacturer. You should be able to find contact information in your television manual, or on the manufacturer's website. Note that your manual may not use the terms "digital tuner" or "analog tuner." A digital tuner could also be listed as an "ATSC tuner" or an "integrated tuner." An "integrated tuner" is one that functions as both a digital and analog tuner. An analog tuner could also be listed as an "NTSC tuner."
If your television does not have a tuner, please see "My Television Does Not Have a Tuner" below.
My Television Has a Digital Tuner. Will I be Affected?
Televisions with digital (ATSC) tuners will continue to receive over-the-air digital television once the transition has taken place.
My Television Only Has an Analog Tuner. Will I be Affected?
Yes. Televisions with only analog (NTSC) tuners will no longer receive over-the-air television once the transition takes place, unless you purchase a converter box.
My Television Does Not Have a Tuner.
If your television set does not have a tuner at all, then you have a monitor rather than a television.
These types of sets may be labelled "digital or DTV monitor," "high-definition or HDTV monitor," "digital or DTV ready" or "high-definition or HDTV ready." They can receive and display digital signals if they are attached to an external tuner, such as a cable box or satellite receiver, or an over-the-air digital (DTV) tuner box. You cannot use a converter box in this situation, since a converter box is meant to convert digital over-the-air broadcast signals for viewing on an analog television set. Some of the newer, flat-screen computer monitors may also be capable of functioning with an external tuner; however, you need to ensure that you choose a digital tuner.
I Have Analog Cable. What Do I Need to Do?
Nothing. Your cable provider will convert the digital signal to analog for you. Cable TV service providers may eventually stop providing analog TV channels to their clients by converting their cable service to an all-digital service. If that happens, cable subscribers who currently have televisions connected to analog cable service (coaxial cable connected to cable input terminal of the television set) will have to purchase or rent, a digital cable box from their cable service provider to continue to receive cable channels. You can also purchase a digital cable box from an electronics retailer. Both analog and digital television sets can receive digital cable with the addition of a digital cable box.
Set-Top Boxes
What is a Set-Top Box?
A "set-top box" is a unit that sits on top or near your television. It picks up signals that your television receiver cannot, so you can view channels.
There are several different types of set-top boxes.
Converter Box: receives and converts an over-the-air digital TV signal to analog, for display on a standard analog television. Some converter boxes have an analog pass-through feature which allows analog signals to pass through as well as digital. This will allow you to begin watching channels that are available in digital before the transition, without losing those that continue to be broadcast in analog.
DTV Tuner Box: can be used by an "HDTV/DTV-Ready" television that does not have a built-in tuner to receive over-the-air digital television signals.
Digital Cable Box: allows digital cable signals to be transferred onto a television screen. The digital cable box can be bought or rented from a cable service provider, or can be purchased from an electronic retailer. Both analog and digital television, as well as HDTV/DTV-Ready sets can receive digital cable when using a digital cable box.
High-Definition (HD) Cable Box: allows high-definition digital cable signals to be transferred onto a television screen. A high-definition cable box can be purchased or rented from from a cable service provider, or can be purchased from an electronics retailer.
Where Can I Find a Set-Top Converter Box?
Converter boxes are carried by a number of national retail outlets and some speciality stores. Most of these retailers offer the boxes for sale online and in some cases in-store as well.
Can I Use a Set-Top Converter Box Purchased in the United States?
Yes you can, but Canadian consumers purchasing a box from outside of Canada should take note that all converter boxes need to be compatible with, and labelled according to, the BETS-7 - Technical Standards and Requirements for Radio Apparatus Capable of Receiving Television Broadcasting before they are imported, sold, or offered in Canada.
The technical requirements of BETS-7 relating to Converter Boxes are harmonized with the USA's requirements.
How do I Know That the Converter Box I Am Purchasing From the United States is Compatible?
Look for the following label to ensure the box is suitable for use in Canada: "Supplementary Television Receiving Apparatus - Appareil supplémentaire de réception de télévision, Canada BETS-7 / NTMR-7."
Buying a Television
What Do I Need to Know if I am Buying a New Television?
If you do decide to purchase a new television set, be sure to do your research first. Talk to television retailers, read consumer magazine reviews, shop around, and always set a budget. Take a look at our What Should I Know if I Am Buying a New TV? information sheet.
Is DTV the Same as HDTV?
Digital television (DTV) and high definition television (HDTV) are not the same thing. DTV refers to all digital television; HDTV is the highest resolution level of DTV. Not all digital television is high-definition. You do not require a high-definition television or a subscription to high-definition services to receive digital television.
What Are the Common Formats of DTV?
The common formats of DTV are: Standard Definition Television (SDTV), Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) and High Definition Television (HDTV).
What Do the Numbers and Letters Stand for on New Television Sets?
When you start looking at digital television sets you will see numbers and letters that are associated with them. For example, you may commonly see 480p, 720p, 1080p or 1080i; you may also see 720x480 or 1920x1080. What do they mean?
The chart below will help clarify some of these letters and numbers for you.
Before referring to the chart below, note that the term "native resolution" refers to the number of vertical and horizontal lines displayed on a television screen. These two numbers multiplied indicate the total number of pixels, or picture elements on the screen, and therefore, the television's maximum display capability.
The letters, 'i' and 'p' refer to the television's scanning system. The 'i' means 'interlaced' and 'p' means 'progressive'. The difference between the two is that an interlaced display scans only every other line per scan or frame of an image, whereas a progressive display will scan all horizontal lines per frame, resulting in more pixels per image.
| Television Format | Native Resolution | Common Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDTV (Standard DefinitionTelevision) | 720 x 480 | 480i | The lowest resolution of all digital television formats. It is the same resolution as that used by most analog televisions. |
| EDTV (Enhanced Definition Television) | 720 x 480 | 480p | Provides a sharper picture than SDTV. While it cannot display programs in true high-definition, it can receive programs broadcast in high-definition, and display them in 480p resolution – which still provides good picture quality. |
| HDTV (High-Definition Television) | Progressive scan, 1280 x 720 |
720p | Provides the sharpest picture. However, the level of detail within various resolutions of high-definition are most noticeable on larger TVs such as a 50-inch, though you might see subtle improvements on 40- to 47-inch screens, especially when viewed close-up. If you are purchasing a television smaller than 40-inches, the only difference between a 720p and 1080p may be the price. |
| Interlace scan, 1920 x 1080 |
1080i | ||
| Progressive scan, 1920 x 1080 |
1080p | ||
| Progressive scan,
1024 x 768 |
While these native resolutions do not match the exact native resolution of a 720p display, a television with these native resolutions would have a display capability similar to that of a 720p television since it can scan a maximum of 768 horizontal lines. | ||
| Progressive scan, 1366 x 768 |
It is important to remember that even if you have a television that is capable of displaying a certain resolution, you also need to think about the resolution of the images being input into your television. For example, most high-definition television programming provided by cable or satellite is broadcast in 720p. Therefore, even if you are using a 1080p (1920x1080) television, you will still be watching this programming at a lower resolution of 720p. Some programming sources, such as high definition DVDs (e.g. Blu-ray™) provide full 1080p images that can make the maximum use of the resolution available on 1080p televisions and can produce a very high quality image.
What Does Frame Rate Mean?
A television set's frame rate describes how many times it creates a complete picture on the screen every second. DTV frame rates range from 24 frames per second, and in some cases even 120 frames per second (frame rates are sometimes referred to as hertz or "hz" as in 60 hz or 120 hz) . Most digital and high-definition televisions have a frame rate of 60 frames per second. It is important to note that the image will only be as good as the frame rate of the source material. For example, watching a program broadcast in a 60hz frame rate on a 120hz television will not improve the picture to 120hz. Some films on high definition DVDs (e.g. Blu-ray™) and video games tend to have higher scanning and frame rates than broadcast television.
What Should I do With my Old Television?
It is important to dispose of your TV set properly. TV sets and cathode ray tubes contain heavy metals and other substances that can be very harmful to the environment. Some retailers and manufacturers offer "take-back" programs for you to return your old television. Certain provinces and municipalities also offer recycling programs for old electronics. Contact your local waste program for more information.
