Digital Transition Guide - Everything You Need To Know

Digital Transition GuideEverything you need to know about the Digital Transition.

Your best solution for the Digital Transition

Your best solution for the Digital TransitionCall us today at 1-877-DTV-HOTLINE (1-877-388-4685)

Or visit charter.com/digitaltransition

What is the Digital Transition?

How will the Digital Transition affect you?

What should you do to get ready for the Digital Transition?

How soon can you make the Digital Transition?

Answers to common Digital Transition questions

The advantage of choosing Charter

Still need help with the Digital Transition?

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Digital Transition Guide

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What is the Digital Transition?

Congress has mandated that by June 12, 2009,American television broadcasters (e.g. ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, Fox, Univision, PBS) must switch from analog to digital broadcasting. The changeover is referred to as the Digital Transition.

This switch to digital broadcasting will mean much better TV viewing overall – including a sharper picture and better sound quality.

Once this change takes place, the bandwidth that is currently occupied by analog television signals will free up for important use by public safety and emergency services including: police, fire and rescue.

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How will the Digital Transition affect you?

How you will be affected depends on how you watch TV.

To help determine what type of TV you have and to review a list of options just turn to the next page.

If you’re a Charter customer, we’ve got you covered. Charter already has the technology in place to handle the new digital format. All TVs connected to Charter will transition smoothly.

Not a Charter customer? If you watch broadcast television on an analog TV with an antenna, your picture may go dark. You’re not alone, millions of TVs could lose their broadcast signal. With this helpful guide we’ll show you how easy it can be to avoid an interruption in your service and keep watching your favorite TV shows.

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What should you do to get ready for the Digital Transition?



Charter’s carriage of specific broadcast signals, and continued analog delivery, is subject to change.

* A small population of viewers may have an analog non-cable ready television. These TVs may require additional equipment such as a DTV converter box.

It’s easy – Charter is here to help make it a smoothtransition for you.

If your TVs are all connected to Charter Cable, you are covered.

If you have analog* TVs not connected to cable, we offer the best solution. Just give us a call and we can install an additional cable outlet in a convenient location for you.

If you have a digital or high definition television using an antenna to view over-the-air broadcast channels, you are covered as well. However, if you want to upgrade your TV experience, Charter offers an incredible range of cable packages to choose from, including top quality high definition programming to complement your HDTV. Just give us a call, we’ll be happy to help.

Not sure what type of TV you have? See below.Check the front and/or back of your television for a tuner labelor contact the retailer or manufacturer to determine what typeof TV you have.

• If your TV has a “NTSC” tuner, it is analog. Note: TVs purchased before 1998 will usually be analog.

• If your TV has a “ATSC”, “DTV”, “HDTV”, “Integrated Digital Tuner”, or “Digital Tuner Built-in”, it is digital.

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If you have an analog TV and do not subscribe to a TV service provider like Charter, here are some of your options to continue receiving a broadcast signal:

• Your best solution is to connect to Charter Cable TV®. With Charter, professional installers come right to your home and provide you with the equipment you need to ensure a smooth transition. It’s a simple and cost-effective fix.

• Purchase a DTV (Digital Television) converter box to convert the digital signal for your TV. You may be able to obtain a coupon issued by the federal government to purchase a DTV converter box (see box below). You may also need to purchase a digital antenna to receive the digital broadcast signal.

How the government coupon program works.As a Charter customer, you can avoid the coupon program altogether. However, if you have a television which is not connected to cable, one option is to buy a DTV converter box from participating retailers.

• DTV converter boxes are expected to cost between $40-$70 each.

• If you choose to do so, you can get up to 2 coupons, worth $40 each, that will help pay for the converter boxes. The coupon program is available through the U.S. Commerce Department.

• Some DTV converter boxes may also require a digital antenna.

Each TV needs its own DTV converter box and only one coupon can be used per converter.The coupons cannot be applied to Charter services or equipment. The Digital Transition will not affect how your analog TVs function with products such as gaming consoles, VCRs and DVD players.

How soon can you make the Digital Transition?

If you have an analog TV not connected to Charter you can transition now. Beat the last-minute rush to keep your TV broadcast picture from going dark. And enjoy all of the advantages of cable technology right now with service from Charter Communications®. Charter offers some of the best and most cost-effective solutions with an incredible range of cable packages to choose from. Just give us a call at 1-877-DTV-HOTLINE (1-877-388-4685), we’ll be happy to help.





Question: Do I have to buy a digital or HD television so my TV doesn’t go dark after the Digital Transition?

Answer: No. Analog televisions* connected to Charter will not be impacted. You will continue to receive your broadcast signals (e.g. ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, FOX, Univision, PBS).

Question: Do I need a DTV converter box if I have cable?

Answer: No. If all of your TVs are connected to Charter, you will not need a DTV converter box because Charter already has the technology in place to handle the new digital format.

Question: Do I need to take any action now?

Answer: Some broadcasters may switch to digital before the June 12, 2009 deadline. Don’t wait until your TV goes dark to make the Digital Transition. Charter has everything you need to beat the last-minute rush and start enjoying better TV today!

You can trust Charter for real answers to common questions about the Digital Transition.

Charter’s carriage of specific broadcast signals, and continued analog delivery, is subject to change.

* A small population of viewers may have an analog non-cable ready television. These TVs may require additional equipment such as a DTV converter box.

Just give us a call at 1-877-DTV-HoTline (1-877-388-4685)


As a Charter customer, you get a whole lot more than just a smooth Digital Transition. You have an incredible array of exciting services at your fingertips – so now, you can bring your home to life with one trusted company. At big savings!

Get more of the TV shows you love with Charter Cable TV®!

• You’re covered for the Digital Transition – at an incredible low monthly rate!

• Watch the best selection of movies, shows, sports, news and music videos.

• Local channels are included at no additional cost!

• We have professional technicians to install the service for you!

It’s easy to upgrade to advanced services with Charter Digital Cable®!

• Get the best movies, reality shows, sports, entertainment, and MORE! Local channels at no extra cost. And 40+ channels of commercial-free music.

• Watch what you want, when you want with Charter On Demand - now on Channel 1! Thousands of shows and hit movies are all just a click away and many are FREE!

• Add Charter HD and experience picture quality up to 6x the resolution of regular TV! Plus, with HD On Demand you can watch over 150 shows and Hollywood hits in HD! We are always adding more HD channels and HD On Demand programming.

• Add Charter DVR® and you can record, play, pause and rewind TV – including programs in HD! Easily record an entire season of your favorite show!

For the biggest savings of all, get The Charter Bundle™ – Charter Cable, Charter High-Speed® Internet and Charter Telephone®! All for one low price!

Call us today at 1-877-DTV-HOTLINE (1-877-388-4685)

Services not available in all areas. A Charter HD receiver is required for HD service and customer’s TV must be HD capable. HD programming varies by programmer. A Charter DVR receiver is required for DVR service. Other restrictions may apply. Call for full details.

Charter gives you just what you need to sail through the Digital Transition worry-free… plus so much More!


Charter is here to help you through the Digital Transition.We’ve got answers to your questions – and easy solutions.

Charter is here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call a Charter representative at 1-877-DTV-HOTLINE (1-877-388-4685) or visit: charter.com/digitaltransition.

Additional information about the Digital Transition and the coupon program can be found on the following websites:

• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): www.ntia.doc.gov

• Digital Transition TV: www.dtv.gov, www.dtv2009.gov

(or 1-888-DTV-2009)

• Federal Communications Commission: www.fcc.gov

Charter’s got you covered in the Digital Transitionand beyond!



Charter is here to help you through the Digital Transition.

Charter Customer Care Representatives are available 24 hours a day!

Call us today at 1-877-DTV-HOTLINE (1-877-388-4685)


Your best solution for the Digital Transition

Digital Transition Guide - Everything You Need To Know

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