CONSUMER ALERT

MIKE COX

ATTORNEY GENERAL

The Attorney General provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices, and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern.

Television plays a major role in all of our lives. For most people, it is the primary source of information and connection to the rest of the world. On February 17, 2009, most broadcasters must stop broadcasting analog signals. That means, that on February 18, 2009, many Michigan consumers will no longer be able to receive television signals UNLESS they stay informed and stay connected.

THE DIGITAL TV CONVERSION: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following information comes from a number of sources, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), via their website on the Digital TV Conversion, www.dtv.gov, and the National Association of Broadcasters website, www.dtvanswers.com.

1. What is the DTV Transition or Conversion?

Currently, many over-the-air stations broadcast in both analog and digital (DTV) formats. After February 17, 2009, "full-power" TV stations will only broadcast in digital. The DTV Transition will affect those who watch free over-the-air television (through a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" on your television set). If you are one of the approximately 1.5 million Michigan consumers who watch over-the-air programs on an analog TV, you will be affected by the conversion, and you must take action before February 17, 2009, to make sure you stay informed and stay connected.

2. How can I tell if I have an analog television?

If you purchased your TV before 2003, it is likely analog. For any TV purchased after 2003, check your owner's manual or the label on the back of your television set. If the label or owner's manual contains the words "ATSC," "Integrated Digital Tuner," "Digital Receiver," "Digital Tuner," "DTV," or "HDTV," your television is digital. You should be able to receive digital over-the-air programming without purchasing a DTV Converter Box (see the answer to FAQ #5 below for more information on DTV Converter Boxes).

If the label or manual says "analog" or "NTSC," it is analog and you may need a DTV Converter Box to view digital over-the-air programming. Also, if your television set is labeled as a "Digital Monitor" or "HDTV Monitor," or as "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready," this does not mean it actually contains a digital tuner. You will still likely need a converter box. For HDTV, you will need a HD converter box. Please note that HDTV converters are not eligible for the federal government's converter box coupon program.

If you are still not sure if you have an analog television, call your manufacturer or check their website for information on your television model.

3. Why do we have to switch to digital broadcasting?

The switch from analog to digital television broadcasting will free up valuable frequencies for police, fire, and emergency rescue communications. Digital broadcasting may also provide improved picture and sound quality and result in more programming options for consumers.

4. What do I have to do if I have an analog TV and a paid TV service (i.e. cable, satellite, or service from a phone company)?

The current requirement to switch from analog to digital does not apply to paid TV services. Only full-power broadcast TV stations, which use the public airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming, are required to make the switch. Consumers with an analog TV who subscribe to satellite service should not have to take any additional steps. Most satellite providers already provide digital signals to analog television sets, so if you already subscribe to satellite service, no additional equipment should be needed. However, if you have an analog TV, to make sure you stay informed and stay connected, you should contact your satellite service provider to confirm that you will not need any additional equipment before February 17, 2009.

Cable companies are not required to transition their signals to digital and can continue to deliver channels to the customers in analog. The federal government actually requires cable companies to continue offering local broadcast stations to their customers in analog, as long as they offer any analog service, and will be required to do so until at least 2012. This means that consumers with an analog TV who receive cable service will be able to continue that service.

However, if a cable company decides to stop offering all analog service, it must make sure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may mean that analog cable customers may need to get a set-top box. The cost depends on the cable company. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase an upgraded digital service plan.

The bottom line is, if you have an analog TV and subscribe to a paid TV service (including satellite), you should contact your service provider to see if a set-top box will be needed, when a set-top box will be needed, and how much a set-top box will cost.

5. What do I have to do if I have an analog TV and do not have a paid TV service, or I have analog TVs in my home that are not connected to my paid TV service?

If any of your analog TVs are not connected to cable or satellite service, but instead receive over-the-air broadcasts through "rabbit ear" or roof top antennas, you have three options:

1. Purchase a DTV Converter Box: You can purchase a DTV Converter Box that connects to any television that is not connected to a paid TV service. If you decide to purchase a DTV Converter Box, you can continue to receive over-the-air broadcasts on your current analog television set, and you do not have to subscribe to a cable or satellite service. These converter boxes will likely cost from $50 to$70 each and should be available at major retailers by spring 2008. Please see below for more information on the national voucher program to help offset the cost of eligible converter boxes.

    

2. Purchase a Digital TV Set: In order to continue to receive over-the-air broadcasting, you can also purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. For more information on how to pick a new digital TV set that is right for you, please see the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website on the DTV Conversion at www.dtv.gov/shopgde.hmtl.

   If you decide to purchase a DTV Converter Box or a digital TV (options 1 and 2, above), you will also need an indoor or outdoor antenna to view the free over-the-air DTV broadcasts. In general, good quality reception of DTV will require the same type of antenna that currently works to provide good reception of analog TV signals. However, some antennas might not be adequate to receive digital signals. You can visit www.antennaweb.org to learn more about what kind of outdoor antenna is best for receiving DTV broadcasts. This is a website organized by the Consumer Electronics Association, but you do not have to provide your email address or phone number and can opt-out of receiving marketing promotions if you use the site.

   If you decide that you need a new antenna, they vary in price and quality, so consider your choices carefully. If you hire a contractor to install an outdoor antenna, be sure to evaluate the firm's qualifications and experience. Call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, at 1-877-765-8388, or check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the contractor you would like to hire to install an outdoor antenna.

    

3. Subscribe to a Paid Television Service: You can also choose to subscribe to a paid television service, such as cable, satellite, or a telephone company service provider, if you would like to continue using your analog television set. If you decide to subscribe to a paid television service, keep in mind that you do not have to purchase any upgraded digital service plan. If you still want to receive local broadcasts, you should make sure that any service plan you choose includes your local stations.

THE NATIONAL TV CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAM

To offset the cost of purchasing the converter boxes, every U.S. household is eligible to receive a maximum of two vouchers from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The vouchers are worth $40 each toward the purchase of up to two eligible converter boxes and can be used at retailers that are certified by NTIA.

Please keep in mind that you can only use the vouchers for eligible converter boxes. For a list of eligible converter boxes, you may visit the NTIA's website at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/home.cfm or ask your retailer to see only those boxes that are eligible for the voucher program.

For some rural viewers, it is also important to keep in mind that only "full-power" broadcast stations are required to convert to digital broadcasts in February 2009. "Low-power" broadcast stations often provide service in rural areas, and some "low-power" stations provide service in some urban areas as well. "Low-power" television stations may be run by local high schools or colleges, religious organizations, local governments, and individuals. Most Michigan consumers do not need to worry about the distinction between "low-power" and "full-power" broadcasts, because they receive the majority of their programming from "full-power" broadcast stations. For viewers in rural areas who may be concerned about missing programs from "low-power" or translator broadcast stations if they purchase a DTV Converter Box, they should look for Converter Boxes that have a "pass-through" feature. A "pass-through" feature will allow you to receive both digital and analog signals. There are only a few eligible converter boxes with a pass-through feature, so if this is a concern, make sure you check the features before you purchase a DTV Converter Box.

There are four ways that you can obtain a voucher:

1. online at https://www.dtv2009.gov/;

2. by phone, by calling NTIA's 24 hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009);

3. by mail, by filling out a Coupon Application and mailing the completed application to: PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 972080-2000; or

4. by fax, by filling out a Coupon Application and faxing the completed application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632). Printed applications should also be available at post offices and public libraries in English, Spanish, and other languages.

It is very important to remember that the vouchers expire within 90 of the date they are mailed. Please keep this in mind, because if you ask for two vouchers for your household and they expire before you use them, you cannot request additional vouchers for that household. It may be a good idea to find a retailer in your area who sells the DTV Converter Boxes first, locate the model you think you would like to purchase, write this information down, and then request your vouchers. By comparison shopping first, and then requesting vouchers for your household, you reduce the risk of the vouchers expiring before you use them.

You may search online for certified retailers in your area who carry DTV Converter Boxes, including those eligible for the NTIA voucher program, at https://www.dtv2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FRAUD!

Unfortunately, crooks may see the digital TV conversion as an opportunity to target unsuspecting and uninformed consumers. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling for a digital TV scam:

1. You do not need to pay someone to install DTV Converter Boxes in your home! If you decide to purchase DTV Converter Boxes for analog televisions in your home, you do NOT need to pay someone to install the boxes for you. DTV Converter Boxes are easy to install, and you certainly will not need to pay an "expert" to do this for you. If you need help installing your DTV Converter Box, you can find instructions on the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) website at www.michmab.com. In addition, if you need help finding, purchasing, or installing DTV Converter Boxes, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) is working with the Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA) to make sure that Michigan consumers who need help with the conversion will receive it.
2. Beware of "upselling!" You do not need to purchase an expensive HDTV, new digital recording equipment (such as a VCR or DVD player), or upgrade your paid television service to your provider's "digital" package in order to receive new digital broadcasting. You may purchase this equipment or services if you would like to, but beware of merchants trying to scare you into purchasing expensive equipment and services by informing you that it is the "only way" that you will still be able to watch television after February 17, 2009.
3. You do not need to purchase vouchers from anyone! As mentioned above, the NTIA voucher program is available to every American household for free! Do not purchase vouchers from anyone -- legitimate vouchers from the NTIA have no cash value and are not transferable. If someone offers to sell you vouchers, they are likely counterfeit.

On a related note, beware of anyone that calls you claiming to be from the NTIA, or any other government agency, to ask for personal financial information to obtain your vouchers. This is a scam! Never give personal financial information to someone who calls you! For more information on telemarketing scams, please see the Attorney General's Consumer Alert entitled "Telemarketing Fraud -- Never Give Personal Information to Unknown Callers -- 2007 Update," available at http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-34739_20942-131622--,00.html.

CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION

If you have a general consumer complaint, or if you become aware of a DTV Conversion-related scam operating in your area, please report this to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at: