Digital television transitioned the US from analog to digital broadcasting. In 1996, Congress authorized each station to broadcast a digital channel alongside their analog channel. The full transition was set for June 12, 2009, after which all full-power stations broadcast solely in digital. This freed up valuable spectrum that could be auctioned for wireless services or used for public safety. Digital broadcasting allows for improved picture and sound quality as well as multicasting of multiple channels on the same bandwidth as a single analog channel. Viewers needed a digital TV or converter box connected to an antenna to receive the digital over-the-air signals after the transition date.

1. LITERATURE REVIEW
Review of Past Literature
Digital television transition problem and prospect
Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that
has transformed viewers television viewing experience. It has enable
broadcaster to offer television with better picture and sound quality.
DTV has also offers multiple programming choices, called
multicasting and interactive capabilities.
In 1996, the US congress authorized the distribution of an additional
broadcast channel to each broadcast T.V. station so that they could
start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing
their analog broadcast channel.
Later, congress set June 12, 2009 as the deadline for full power
television station to stop broadcasting analog signals. Since June 13,
2009, all full-power U.S. television stations have broadcast over the
air, signals in digital only.
PROSPECT
On important benefit of the switch to all digital broadcasting is that,
it freed up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public
distress call, fire department and rescue squads. Also, some of the
spectrum can now be auctioned to companies that will be able to
provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (wireless
broadband).
It is of additional benefit to consumer because digital broadcasting
allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and
digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than
being limited to provide one analog programme, a broadcaster is
able to offer a super sharp High Definition (HD) digital programme or
multiple standard Definition (SD) digital programmes simultaneously
through a process called “multicasting”.
Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of

2. digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of
spectrum required for one analogy programme.
So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on chennel 7
is only able to offer viewers one programme, a station broadcasting
in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital programme on
channel 7-1 a second digital programme on channel 7-2, a third
digital programme channel 7-3 etc. This mean more programming
choices for viewers. Digital television provides interactive video and
data services that were not possible with analog technology.
In America the data for final transition to digital was set to June 12,
2009. From June 13, 2009, all full-power U.S. stations have broadcast
digital signals only. The system enables the consumer to connection
inexpensive receiver (digital to analog converter box) to their existing
analog T.V. In order to be able to decode DTV broadcast signals.
Digital to analog converter boxes does not necessarily convert your
analog TV. To High Definition HD. Analog T.V. sets will continue to
work with cable, satellite, VCR, DVD players, camcorders, video game
consoles and other devices for many years. It must however be
noted that, Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a
programme is high definition.
Components/features of DTV include:
Multicasting – (Expand programming choice)
High Definition Television
Data streaming
High definition broadcast
Best available picture resolution, clarity and colour etc
To be connected to DTV signals, a viewer is required to posses either
of the following viz: A T.V. set with a digital turner or an analog T.V.
set connected to a digital to analog converter box. In either case, the
viewer would need an appropriate antenna connected to the T.V. set
or the converter box; either to an outdoor rooftop antenna or an

3. indoor antenna i.e. “Rabit ears” for VHF reception and a loop or
bowtie for UHF reception. However, a digital T.V. set would require
no additional devices as mentioned above (antenna) in order to
receive over the air digital broadcast programming.
On the other hand, Digital Cable Ready (DCR) or plug and play T.V.
sets are also available. These can be used to receive digital cable T.V.
at other time High Definition over cable with out a separate set top
box. In this case, a cable card is needed to watch certain cable
programming. These sets do not work directly with satellite as you
are required to have a set of top box to view satellite programming.
One important minus for the use of converter box with analog TV set
is that, though it enable the viewer to receive over the air television
signal, but not in full digital quality.
Other associated problems with digital television tradition include,
DTV reception can be affected by terrain trees, building, the
weather, damaged equipment, as well as antenna type, location and
orientation.