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February 17 – Analog to Digital TV Day

Michael Knox

February 17, 2019

nPosted on February 17, 2019

nThis is a bit tough to understand:

For clocks, “analog” means information represented by a continuous physical movement of hands.

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nFor clocks, “digital” means information represented by changing digits, or numbers.

nDigital clocks are a lot easier to “read” – kids don’t have to be especially taught how to read them! – and also commonly display other useful info, like the date.

nBut what do analog TV and digital TV mean?

nAnalog television is the old (original) television technology (just as analog clocks are older technology). Brightness, color, and sound are all represented by rapid variations of amplitude and frequency of the signal.

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nWherever you see “HDTV” (high definition television), that’s digital TV. With this technology, pictures – brightness and color – and sounds are encoded by a series of Os and 1s, like information is encoded for computers and on the internet. This allows much greater resolution – clearer, sharper pictures – and many new features.

nDifferent countries have been making the transition from analog to digital television according to different timetables.

nBecause many people had old television sets that are incapable of receiving digital signals, broadcasters had been simultaneously offering analog and digital broadcasts. However, the various nations and cities of the world have been or are currently moving toward eventually shutting off analog broadcasting. In 2003, Berlin became the world’s first city to switch off terrestrial analog signals. And in 2006, the tiny nation of Luxembourg became the first country to complete its terrestrial transition to digital TV.

n(The transition involves “terrestrial” broadcasts – signals transmitted with radio signals – AND cable TV – signals transmitted through cable – AND satellite TV – signals transmitted to and from satellites in space.)

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nIn the U.S., the transition was finalized (among full-power TV stations) on June 12, 2009, when all stations in the nation ended their regular programming on analog signals no later than 11:59 that day. The government helped consumers with the transition by providing DTV converter box coupons.

nBy the way, in case you are wondering why today, of all days, is Analog to Digital TV Day, February 17, 2009, was the original goal for the final transition in the U.S. – but it got pushed to the June 12 date for some reason…