New RCA Web Site Offers Consumers Easy Explanation, Advice For Digital Decisions

KeepMyTV.com Shows How to Pair Low-Cost RCA Digital TV Converter Box With Favorite Analog TV

September 25, 2007

With the launch of www.KeepMyTV.com, RCA Audio/Video now offers consumers a one-stop website to learn what affordable options exist for the transition to full digital over-the-air TV broadcasting and how best to prepare for February 17, 2009 – the night that terrestrial analog TV channels will sign off the air. KeepMyTV.com offers an informative and entertaining way for viewers to plan for the digital deadline – especially if a low-cost Digital TV Converter Box can help a household stave off a major purchase. Short explanatory videos offer an overview about the advantages of Digital TV broadcasting and how to hookup an RCA DTA800 Digital TV Converter Box, which will be available in retail stores beginning in January. Both the website and the informative videos are now available in English and in Spanish at www.KeepMyTV.com. Since launching KeepMyTV.com last week, RCA Audio/Video has contacted more than 100,000 RCA consumers to inform them of the new site, and hundreds have already signed up to receive more information about the completion of the nation's switch to digital TV broadcasting in early 2009. Details of the government's $40 coupon program, which will reduce the consumer's cost for converter boxes, are expected to be released shortly. With just over 500 days until the Digital TV transition will be completed, demonstrations of the RCA DTA800 Digital TV Converter Box are being conducted in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Digital Television Public Meeting and Expo and at Wednesday's Digital TV Consumer Education Workshop at the Federal Communications Commission. "While about one-third of American homes now have a high-definition TV, there are still millions of televisions that will need a converter box some time before early 2009. We've launched KeepMyTV.com as a one-stop shop for information about consumer options, including English and Spanish videos that show how easy it is to connect an RCA Converter Box to your current TV. If your analog television is working fine, there's no reason to junk it and buy a digital TV right away. You can keep your TV running with an affordable Digital TV Converter Box like the RCA DTA800 – and the picture quality will surprise everyone," explained Dan Collishaw, chief operating officer of RCA Audio/Video. "One of the great benefits of digital TV broadcasting is new multicast programming – or several programs sent in the same channel that can only accommodate a single analog broadcast. Most local broadcasters are now taking advantage of the ability to offer multiple free channels to viewers. Public broadcasters have dramatically increased the amount of educational programming through digital technology. Local network affiliate stations are offering comprehensive news and weather channels, in addition to their regular main network broadcasts. And viewers can see all the new channel choices with the RCA DTA800 Converter Box," Collishaw said. Designed to qualify for the federal government's $40 coupon program (certification of the RCA box is pending), the RCA DTA800 offers the picture quality and new channel advantages inherent in Digital TV broadcast transmissions. Easily connected to an existing or new indoor or outdoor antenna, the DTA800 also includes compatibility with new Smart Antenna products that will enhance over-the-air reception in areas where normal TV reception is difficult or impossible. Easy Remote Control Access for Closed Captions The specially-designed RCA DTA800 "big button" remote control includes an on-remote button to give deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers instantaneous access to Closed-Captioning services sent by broadcasters. Text size and background colors for captions are easily adjusted for personal preferences. The DTA800 also includes parental controls to screen TV programs based on age- and content-based ratings, as well as the traditional movie ratings system. Energy Saver with Easy Hook-Up The DTA800 sips energy and is also designed to qualify for the federal ENERGY STAR program by consuming only one watt of power in standby mode. If the DTA800 detects no activity after four hours of use, it will automatically turn off. The RCA DTA800 Digital TV Converter is smaller than a hardback book and is the ideal solution for consumers who want to keep watching favorite television programs but don't want to buy a new digital TV set. The DTA800 Converter Box will easily receive over-the-air TV broadcasts and convert them to analog signals that a current TV can display. It can be placed in either a horizontal or convenient vertical position. Connecting the DTA800 Converter Box is a breeze. Just plug in the antenna to the Input and connect the TV to the box's Output. Stereo audio connections are also available. The "big button" universal TV remote will work with millions of analog RCA televisions and can also be programmed to work with a variety of different TV brands.

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