Since the switch to digital television broadcasts in 2009, most people either have a digital TV or have bought a converter box for their analog TVs. If you are just now tackling this problem, you'll find it isn't as difficult as you might think to distinguish between a digital and analog television set.

Look at Your TV

Take a look at your television. If it's black and white with a knob to change the channel, it's analog. Nearly all TVs made before 1998 are analog. If the set is significantly wider than it is high, then it's a digital set all ready for the 16:9 aspect ratio. Other clues that your television is digital is any mention of "DTV" (Digital TV), "ATSC" (Advanced Television Systems Committee) or "HDTV" (High Definition TV) in the packaging or on the console.

Dig Out the Manual

Read the owner's manual. It may say "digital" or "analog" right on the cover. If not, look for the same abbreviations you were looking for on the set itself: "DTV," "ATSC," or "HDTV." You may also see the phrase "digital tuner" or "digital receiver."

The Manufacturer Knows

If you call the manufacturer of your TV and give them the model number, they'll be able to tell you if the set is digital or analog. Alternatively, you might plug the model number into the search box on the manufacturer's website and see if that answers the question. If you are having problems locating the model number, it's usually on the back of the television on a sticker.

Source:

FCC: DTV: Is My TV Digital?

Digital Landing: Converting to Digital TV: All You Need to Know