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Preceding digital television (DTV), all televisions
encoded pictures as an analog signal by varying signal
voltage and radio frequencies. DTV is fast replacing analog TVs as
digital broadcasting enables broadcasters to offer
television with movie-quality picture and sound. Analog
systems are more commonly known as NTSC systems.
A U.S. Senate panel has set an April 7, 2009, as the deadline for television
stations to switch entirely from analog to digital broadcasts. Analog
televisions will work until all analog broadcasting ceases. Once the transition
to complete DTV has taken place, a converter will be required to receive DTV
signals and change them to the analog format of these older types of
televisions. However, these DTV-to-analog converters will not produce true DTV
quality.
Analog televisions are now commonly referred to conventional televisions.
See also DTV.
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 ATSC General FAQ
Analog television sets will continue to receive analog broadcasts at least through 2006 and possibly longer. After that, consumers will be able to hook up a set-top box to their existing TV to receive digital TV broadcast signals, but not in high-definition. Of course, current TV sets will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players and other devices for many years.
Senate Approves 2009 For End of Analog TV
The Senate moved the digital TV transition one step closer to reality, setting a firm date for television broadcasters to switch to all-digital transmissions. Lawmakers gave broadcasters until April 7, 2009, to end their traditional analog transmissions. The so-called "hard date" was included in a sweeping budget bill.
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