Your DTV Station

Maryland Public Television

11767 Owings Mills Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117

dtv@mpt.org

410-581-4097

DTV News Updates

Maryland Public Television's Digital television delivers clearer pictures (meaning less-snowy versions of your favorite broadcast TV shows) and sharper sound than its analog counterpart. It also al ...read more

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Converter Boxes — Your Quick-and-Easy Solution for Free Digital TV

Have you been watching your favorite public television programs — for free — over the air with your older TV set, an antenna or rabbit ears? You still can.

You may have heard the federal government requires all full-power TV stations switch to digital-only broadcasting after February 17, 2009. This is actually good news because you can keep your current TV set AND continue watching your favorite public television programs — for free — after you make the digital switch. Not only that, you'll start getting better pictures and sound as soon as you go digital.

Do you live in a rural area? Your digital conversion date will likely be later than February 2009. Find out more.

So how do you make the switch to digital? You don't have to spend a lot of money on a new digital TV. Instead, you can buy a converter box that will convert the digital TV signals into a picture that can be displayed on your analog television. And the federal government will even give you a coupon (This link will open in a separate window.) to help pay for the converter box, making the cost as low as $10 per box.

Once you've hooked up your set-top converter box, you can start watching digital television for free! Your converter box will come with instructions on how to connect it to your TV. For general guidelines, download this Converter Box Quick Start Guide (This document will open in a separate window.) from the Consumer Electronics Association.

Not sure if you need a digital converter box? Take the DTV quiz and find out. (This link will open in a separate window.)

Do you live in a rural area? You'll need a converter box with an analog pass-through feature. Find out more.

Order your digital converter box coupon now!

The federal government has set up a special coupon program to make digital converter boxes affordable for everyone so you can continue to receive free television after you switch to digital.

Every household can request up to two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of digital converter boxes — making the cost as low as $10 per box.

There are a limited number of coupons available. To request your coupon, call 1.888.388.2009 or go to www.dtv2009.gov. (This link will open in a separate window.) Coupons are good for 90 days from the date issued.

Find a converter box retailer in your area. (This link will open in a separate window.)

See a list of coupon-eligible converter boxes. (This link will open in a separate window.)

Do you live in a rural area? You'll need a converter box with an analog pass-through feature. Find out more.