TechnoBabble

There is a revolution that is coming fast and it will be broadcast, but if you are not ready for it, you will never see it.

On February 17, 2009, television as we know it will change forever. That is when the analog TV you have been used to, will not work anymore in the same fashion as you are use to. The federal government has mandated that over the air television stations must turn off our analog transmitters and transmit digital signals only. This means that if you watch TV with an antenna and your TV doesn't have a digital tuner built in or you do not have a converter box, or you are not on cable or satellite, your TV will only show snow.

My name is Charlie Layno. I am the Transmitter Supervisor here at FOX8 WGHP. I have been on the cusp of this "digital thing" since we first started broadcasting digital in 2002. I will try and keep you updated with the latest digital conversion news as well as answer any and all your questions about the digital transition so feel free to comment back to me. We get many calls and emails here at FOX8 about the transition and what we are doing with our digital signal and how you can also enjoy the high definition shows and such on FOX8 and we thought that this would be a great way to answer the questions since so many people are confused on what is about to happen and what can they expect.

So to get things started off, here is a FAQ I wrote to help answer some of the basic questions people have. Remember, if you want further information, just post in the comment section of any of the posts I will be writing on the conversion and I will be happy to answer you.

Enjoy!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UPCOMING CHANGE TO DIGITAL TELEVISION

Q. What happens on February 17, 2009 and why is it so important to my TV?

A. Congress has legislated that on that day all over the air broadcast television must convert to digital over the air broadcast television and all analog over the air television broadcasting must cease.

Q. Why is Congress doing this?

A. This is to allow more efficient use of the broadcast spectrum, High Definition (HD) programming as well as additional television channels of interest to the public simultaneously in the same television channel. The old retired analog TV over the air channels will be used for Emergency Public Services like Fire, Police and Rescue.

Q. How do I know if I will be able to watch television after February 17, 2009?

A. If your television set is connected to cable or satellite, your analog television set will continue to operate after February 17, 2009. Your cable or satellite provider will do the digital to analog conversion for you. If your analog television set is connected to rabbit ears or an outside antenna on your roof, your analog television set will NOT operate after February 17, 2009 without a digital to analog converter box.

If you have purchased a television set within the last several years, it is very likely it has the new digital television tuner already built in. Since 2006 all television sets and other television devices like VCRs, TiVos and DVDs with tuners sold in the United States have the new digital “ATSC tuners” in them thereby not requiring a digital to analog converter box. Check your television owners manual to see if an “ATSC tuner” is included. If so, you are ready for the digital transition! If not, you will need to make some preparations before February 17, 2009 to maintain television service.

Q. Will my VCR still work after February 17, 2009?

A. Playback from your VCR or DVD or TiVo to your analog television set will continue to operate after February 17, 2009 without a digital to analog converter box. If you record television programs over the air to your VCR or DVD or TiVo and it is more than a year or two old, it is possible you will need a converter box for it as well. Again, check your owners manual to see if an “ATSC tuner” is already installed. If so, it is ready for the digital transition! If not, you will need a digital to analog converter to continue to record off the air after February 17, 2009.

Q. Where can I get “digital to analog converter boxes” and how much do they cost?

A. Digital to analog converter boxes (as well as digital television sets) have been available for some time since broadcasters have been broadcasting not only the familiar analog television signals, but the new digital television signals as well. These early converter boxes have been somewhat expensive so Congress has set aside $900 million dollars to help people with televisions not connected to cable or satellite to continue to receive television signals. Beginning in 2008, the National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) will begin to issue voucher coupons in the amount of $40 each with a maximum of two (2) coupons per household good for 90 days from the date of issuance for the purchase of special $50 digital to analog converter boxes costing the consumer a total of $20 for two digital to analog converter boxes. Radio Shack as well as Best Buy and Circuit City, just to name a few, have announced they will have these $50 digital to analog converter boxes available in 2008.

Q. Will my current television antenna work with digital television?

A. Yes, as long as the antenna you are currently using gives good reception now for analog television. The only difference between the “old analog” television antennas and the “new digital” television antennas are the words “analog” and “digital” on the box. They are the same antennas since digital broadcasts currently and in the future will continue to use the same television channels, just a different way to send the signal.

Q. Will my old analog TV be able to view High Definition (HD) programs?

A. Yes, but the HD programs will not be in HD. It is similar to watching color programs on a black and white television.

The digital to analog converter box will automatically convert the HD picture to a format your television can display. If a television program is transmitted in High Definition, you too will be able to enjoy the program on your analog television with the help of the digital to analog converter box, but the program will not be in HD just as a color program will only be in black and white on a black and white television set.

Q. If I get a digital to analog converter box before February 17, 2009, will I have to wait until the transition before I can hook it to my television?

A. No, you do not have to wait. All television stations are now broadcasting separate digital signals along with the analog signals so as soon as you get either a new television set or a digital to analog converter box, you can connect it to your antenna and start enjoying all digital television has to offer you today!

Q. Will I need to do anything special on February 17, 2009 to continue to view FOX8 WGHP?

A. On February 17, 2009 you will need to perform a simple “rescan” of the channels on your digital television and/or digital to analog converter box to automatically reprogram FOX8 WGHP to continue to view us. The Federal Communications Commission is requiring FOX8 WGHP to change our current digital configuration back to channel 8 on February 17, 2009. We will NOT be changing channel numbers though. We will always be known as “channel 8.” See your digital television or digital to analog converter box manual on how to “rescan” your channels.

Q. Where can I go for more detailed information on the coming Digital Television Transition?

A. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has created a web site to address many of the same questions we have answered here as well as other more detailed questions. Go to http://www.dtvanswers.com for that web site. NAB also has an information telephone hotline you can call as well, 1-888-DTV-2009.

Also the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC) the federal agency that regulates radio, cable and television broadcasting has set up a web site with even more information. That web site is http://www.dtv.gov.

Both websites contain videos and podcasts about the upcoming transition and what you need to do to be ready when it happens on February 17, 2009.

As always, FOX8 WGHP will be happy to answer any questions beyond what we have outlined here.