Digital television adapter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A digital television adapter, (DTA), or digital-to-analog converter (box), is a device that receives, by means of an antenna, a digital television (DTV) transmission, and converts that signal into an analog television signal that can be received and displayed on an analog television.
[edit] History
The United States Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, among other things, requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasting by February 18, 2009. Recognizing that consumers may wish to continue receiving broadcast programming over the air using analog-only televisions not connected to cable or satellite service, the Act authorizes the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to create a digital-to-analog converter box assistance program. The Act also establishes a new Treasury fund, known as the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund, and directs the receipts from the FCC’s analog spectrum return auction to be deposited into the Fund.
The Act directs NTIA to implement and administer a program through which eligible U.S. households may obtain a maximum of two coupons of $40 each to be applied towards the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box. The Act defines the term “converter box” to mean “a stand-alone device that does not contain features or functions except those necessary to enable a consumer to convert any channel broadcast in the digital television service into a format that the consumer can display on television receivers designed to receive and display signals only in the analog television service, but may also include a remote control device.” The Act, however, does not define “eligible household.”
To implement the coupon program, the Act authorizes NTIA to use up to $990 million from the Fund for the program, including $100 million for program administration. NTIA is also authorized to expend up to $1.5 billion for the program, including $160 million for administration, upon notice and certification to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate that the $990 million is insufficient to fulfill coupon requests for eligible U.S. households.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Title III of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Pub. No. 109-171 (Feb. 8, 2006).
- Request for Comment and Notice of Proposed Rules to Implement and Administer a Coupon Program for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes, Docket Number 060512129-6129-01 (Jul. 25, 2006).
