Art Holliday is an award-winning journalist and long-time anchor for KSDK NewsChannel 5. He answers the following technical questions about the digital television transition, with some help from KSDK engineers and the National Association of Broadcasters.
What exactly is DTV?
Digital television (DTV) is a new type of broadcasting technology. By transmitting information as “data bits” (much like a computer) to create a TV set’s picture and sound, a digital broadcaster can carry far more information than what analog broadcast technology currently allows. The difference between analog and digital broadcasting is similar to that between cassette tapes and compact discs.
Digital TV offers a superior viewing experience with improved picture and sound quality. DTV is also more efficient than analog technology, so broadcasters will be able to produce additional channels of programming. NewsChannel 5 already broadcasts a secondary channel using this digital spectrum. WeatherPlus, St. Louis’ only 24 hour weather channel has been operational since April of 2005.
The original DTV date was in February, what happened?
The United States Congress approved an extension of the DTV transition deadline from February 17 to June 12. This means all full-power television stations must complete their switch from analog to digital broadcasting by June 12. NewsChannel 5 has been broadcasting both an analog and a digital signal; in fact, our station has been broadcasting digitally for nearly a decade. When the June 12 date occurs we will simply be turning off our analog signal.
What do I need to do to be ready to receive Digital Television?
Preparing for the DTV transition is easy and requires you to take one of three steps by June 12, 2009:
If you have an analog television and receive your broadcast signal over-the-air (rabbit ears or antenna), you need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into your existing TV set. The boxes, which cost between $40-70, are available at electronics retailers nationwide. Households can request up to two $40 coupons towards the purchase of converter boxes that will allow you to continue watching free “over-the-air” television on an analog set. You can apply for coupons at www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.
Purchase a new digital television set with a built-in digital tuner.
Subscribe to cable, satellite or other pay TV service that carries the local broadcast stations you want. If you already subscribe to satellite or cable you don’t need to do anything else – you will not be affected by the switch on June 12th.
How do I know if I have an analog or digital set?
Generally speaking every TV set made before 1998 was a traditional “analog” set. If you bought a big-screen or projection TV between 1998 and 2004, there is a chance it has a built-in digital tuner inside. Before 2004, only a limited percentage of projection TV sets (generally sets that are 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners.
If you bought a new TV set since 2004, there is a high likelihood that it has a built-in digital tuner. In 2004, popular electronics stores started selling many TV sets with built-in digital tuners that will work after June 12, 2009. By going to ksdk.com and clicking on the DTV countdown on the homepage you can search the DTV database using your TV set manufacturer name and model number to see if your specific set has a digital tuner.
Can I use my old analog set after June 12?
Yes. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV set to watch over-the-air digital programming. This converter box is a stand-alone device that allows your antenna to receive and convert digital signals into a format analog television sets can display. This newly designed product is now available in stores nationwide. A TV converter box is a one-time purchase and costs between $40 and $70. You can get more information on converter boxes as well as apply for up to two $40 coupons toward the purchase of this box by going to www.DTV2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.
If your analog set is hooked up to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV, it should continue to function as before. Analog sets should also continue working with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players and similar products that you use now.
What if I need to replace expired converter box coupons?
The converter box coupon program is now accepting applications from consumers whose coupons have expired without being redeemed. The Coupon Program limits each U.S. household to a total of two redeemed coupons. Replacement coupons will only be issued to eligible households upon request. If you would like to apply for a replacement coupon you can do so online at www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).
Rescanning your TV after the DTV switch.
Don’t forget that even after connecting a converter box to your TV set, or installing a new digital television, you will need to scan (also known as “auto-tune”) for new channels.
Scanning will ensure you receive all of the digital stations broadcasting in your area.
Some boxes will automatically scan for stations when they are turned on, however others will require you to manually select for it to scan.
Some digital stations are still coming on air and many will not make the switch until June 12, 2009.
It is a good to “rescan” manually on a periodic basis to get all of the digital programming available.
After the DTV transition, some stations already broadcasting DTV will be switched to a different channel number, so remember to scan again the first time you watch TV June 12, 2009.
What if I have other questions you haven’t answered?
We have a very robust section at ksdk.com devoted to information regarding the DTV transition. You can click on the DTV countdown clock on the right hand side of our homepage. You can also connect to the National Association of Broadcasters website at ksdk.com by clicking on the “DTV Answers” icon that is located at the bottom of our home page.
