Home > Products > Find ENERGY STAR Products > Digital to Analog Converter Box

Digital to Analog Converter Box for Consumers

(Are you a partner? For Partners)

Did You Know?

As of June 12, 2009, the U.S. shifted to digital-only television broadcasts. As of this date, consumers with analog televisions, who did not subscribe to cable or satellite services and rely solely on over-the-air broadcasts for their TV-viewing needed a digital-to-analog converter box, or DTA, in order to continue receiving television broadcasts.

About ENERGY STAR Digital to Analog Converter Box

Digital to Analog Converter Box

What is a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box?

A digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box is a device which converts digital television broadcast signals to analog signals. These boxes are currently being sold by a variety of retailers.

It is estimated that consumers will purchase as many as 22 million converter boxes, leading up to and immediately following the transition to all-digital broadcasting. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is currently administering a program to help consumers acquire converter boxes, which are expected to cost between $40 and $70, by providing up to two $40 coupons per household to offset the cost of up to two eligible boxes.

In the U.S. alone, depending on viewer behavior and product design, EPA estimates that conventional DTAs could consume more than 3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per year and cost Americans $270 million annually in additional electricity bills.

Why choose products that have earned the Government's ENERGY STAR?

Products that earn the ENERGY STAR must meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE). Saving energy prevents pollution, too! So, by choosing ENERGY STAR, you are helping to prevent global warming and promote cleaner air without sacrificing the product quality and performance you expect.

  • DTA converter boxes that have earned the ENERGY STAR consume no more than 8 watts in On Mode and 1 watt in Sleep Mode and automatically power down after 4 hours or less of user inactivity.
  • If all DTA converter boxes sold in the U.S. met the ENERGY STAR specification, over the lifetime of the products Americans could save approximately 13 billion kWh and $1 billion in energy costs - reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking more than 1 million cars off the road.

Related Information

For more information on DTA converter boxes and the coupon program, visit www.ntia.doc.gov Exit ENERGY STAR.

Frequently asked questions about the transition to Digital Televisions from DTV.gov: http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html Exit ENERGY STAR

FCC Consumer Facts on Digital Televisions: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html Exit ENERGY STAR

Current Specification Effective Date:

January 31, 2007

The U.S. shifted to digital-only TV broadcasts in February 2009. ENERGY STAR qualified digital to analog (DTA) converter boxes incorporate an auto-power down feature to automatically switch from the On mode to Sleep mode without user input. The DTA category does not include converters that work with satellite or cable digital signals, nor does it cover devices with multi-functionality, such as a DVD player with a digital to analog conversion capability.

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

These FAQs represent the top ten related to Digital to Analog Converter Box and the ENERGY STAR program.

Loading