The era of digital television has opened following the government’s shutting down of analog broadcasts at 4 a.m. on Monday.

The Korea Communications Commission said that all programs have been converted into digital format for better picture and sound quality.

Digital TV also provides multiple programming choices, also known as multicasting, along with interactive capabilities.

All-digital broadcasts also free up parts of the broadcast spectrum for enhanced efficiency and relocation of channels by June of this year.

The KCC, which is the state broadcast regulator, said about 50,000 households have not applied for the analog-to-digital transition in the Seoul and metropolitan areas as of this point.

All households using only terrestrial broadcasts need to get the government-supplied digital converter box and antenna or purchase a new digital TV set to complete the transition.

The digital converter box and antenna will be installed at no charge for the underprivileged, such as low-income families, the disabled and those above age 65 who are living alone. However, the KCC will charge a 20,000 won deposit for the converter and 30,000 won for the antenna to others.

Those who are subscribers of cable or satellite TV will not need to worry about the analog-to-digital transition as it will be done automatically. About 85 percent of all households belong in this category.

“Although we’re aware that the number of households that did not make the analog-to-digital transition is low, we’re planning to continue to support the transition even after the end of analog broadcasts,” said a KCC official.

To sign up for digital broadcasts, dial 124 for more information.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)