Whether you are ready or not, the transition to digital television is about to happen. As of Sept. 1, a majority of Canadians will be able to receive TV signals in crystal clear digital and high definition through antennas that look much like those old school rabbit ears.
Of course, if you’re among the vast majority of Canadians who get their television via cable or satellite, the switch to digital from analog broadcast signals won’t affect you.
But if you do use an antenna, you could be wondering what you need to pluck the new, high-quality TV signals from the air.
Here are some tips to help you in the right direction:
1. Determine what kind of television set you own. Older cathode-ray tube televisions are unlikely to be ready to receive digital transmissions. For these, you will need to buy a digital converter box that will translate the new signal into an analog signal that the TV can display. These boxes typically cost around $50 and are available from a number of manufacturers. Newer flat-panel televisions have digital tuners in them already, which means they can flip through the new digital channels. But those new TVs still require an antenna to pull in the digital signal being broadcast over the air (more on that below).
2. Go to an online website such as otacanada.com and determine which stations are available in your area and which channels they are broadcast on. Putting your TV in “channel scan” mode should locate and store these stations automatically.
Get breaking National news
3. You may need a new antenna. Set-top antennas said to be optimized for digital signals sell for $50 to $100. However, they may not offer the same reception or range as a rooftop antenna, which can cost up to $150. Some of the more readily available models are made by Channel Master.
4. Keep in mind that Canada is following the United States, which converted its TV signals to digital in 2009. That means numerous antennas and converter boxes are available.
Not sure about your situation? Here are a few more things to know:
If you watch TV on cable or satellite, nothing will change – after Aug. 31 you will still be able to watch television as you normally would. But if you have one TV in the house with a satellite or cable connection and another that pulls TV from an over-the-air source, you will need to take some action. That means buying a digital antenna (and possibly a set-top converter) for that second set, or connecting it to your cable or satellite to piggyback on your existing subscription.
Some people are wondering what will be carried over the air. All of the national broadcasters have been ordered to change their signals to digital in every major Canadian city (the CBC has received an extension in certain areas). Some already broadcast in digital (as do all U.S. stations).
Using an antenna means missing many live sports events, which have been largely locked down by specialty channels available only through cable or satellite.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.