LAS VEGAS --
What is the digital television transition?

On Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power stations will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100 percent digital broadcasting.

What this means to the average television viewer is that to receive your favorite FOX5 programming, you will need to either have 1) a high-definition television or 2) a converter box that allows your television to receive the digital signal.

For more information about the digital conversion or to apply for a digital converter coupon, the federal government has set up an informational Web site. There is also more information about the analog-digital conversion from the National Association of Broadcasters.

Many people are confused about what this transition means to their television viewing. Please feel free to look at these frequently asked questions:

What is high-definition television?

High Definition Television is a digital transmission format that is defined as any picture of greater than 700 lines. When we speak of formats like 720p and 1080i, the number represents the number of lines that make up the picture. If you think about a computer monitor or a digital photograph, the number of lines stated for HDTV (1080, 720, etc.) is similar to the height of a digital photo. If you take a digital photo that's 640x480 the second number is the picture's height --in this case 480 pixels, or lines. A 1080 line HDTV picture has a similar resolution to a 1080x1920 digital photo. Interestingly, the aspect ratio (ratio of picture width to height) has no bearing on whether a picture is considered HD. A 1080i 4:3 picture is considered high definition, just as a 1080i 16:9 image is.

How can I tell if my programming is being broadcast in high definition?

For network programming, Fox usually puts a short promotional message at the start of most of its High Definition shows. Depending on the show's producer, the message will usually be a short text message in the first few seconds of the program that says "Broadcast in High Definition where available" or something similar. Incidentally, this message simply indicates that the show was produced in High Definition and that if a local station is capable of broadcasting it in HD, it will be in HD. This message doesn't actually mean that the station you're currently watching is necessarily transmitting in HD right now, only that the show is available in some areas. FOX 12, however, carries all FOX network High Definition programs in native HD.

Will I need to purchase a new television for the change to HDTV?

No, you will not need to purchase a new television to continue to receive FOX5 programming: However, you will need to purchase a digital-television converter, which is sold at most area electronic stores. To help subsidize the cost of purchasing the digital-television converter, the U.S. government is offering a $40 coupon for the converter box, as well as a list of retailers who carry the digital converter.

What is PSIP?

PSIP stands for Program Stream Information Protocol. It comprises a large amount of data that your Digital TV receivers use to tune and properly format the pictures and sound we transmit digitally. Among the information that is transmitted within the PSIP data is channel number, call letters and program guide information for the next 13 days.

What is the difference between DTV and HDTV?

DTV simply stands for Digital Television. It's the overall blanket term we use for everything that's being transmitted from our digital stations. HDTV stands for High Definition Television and is also known simply as HD. All HDTV is DTV, but not all DTV is HDTV, since it's possible to transmit standard definition programs and other kinds of data within the DTV data stream.