Community Perspective
Digital TV conversion is coming
Published Saturday, May 17, 2008
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Stumble It!February 17, 2009, is an important date for anyone who uses a television with an antenna. On that day, all TV stations are required to switch to broadcasting a digital signal, and you may no longer be able to see your favorite local TV stations.
This is to free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important uses such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue) and advanced wireless services.
February 17 seems like a long time away, but it is quickly approaching. Everyone will need a television with a digital tuner or a “converter box” that will change the digital signals so they can be received on your current analog television set. You know you have an analog TV if you use an antenna, or “rabbit ears,” to get your TV signal. If you visit the Web sites of KUAC, KATN or KTVF, you can link to more details about the transition. There is almost more information out there than you would care to read, and some of it is pretty technical. But here are some basic facts you need to know:
Analog televisions have not been manufactured since March of last year, and sellers must have a consumer alert on these TVs to notify customers that they will need to have a converter box in order to be able to watch television after February 17.
Integrated high-definition TV sets have the digital tuner built into the set. It is possible to purchase an “HD Ready” DTV monitor. With this, you will need a stand-alone tuner or an HD cable or HD satellite set-top box. Other options for subscribers of cable and satellite TV should ask their providers what they will need and when. Ask these questions before you buy.
If you have bought a new television in the last couple of years, it might have a digital tuner as well as analog receiving capabilities. If this is the case, you do not have to do anything. On February 17, you can expect more beautiful pictures, clearer sound and the possibility of multiple programming choices and interactive capabilities. Be aware that the channel number might change.
Right now, KUAC public television (or AlaskaOne) is one of the local stations that is already broadcasting in digital at the same time as it broadcasts its analog signal. If you have purchased a separate digital-to-analog set-top converter box, you will be able to tune in to the digital signals from KUAC, but the picture and sound will not necessarily be in full digital quality until the transition is complete in 2009.
HDTV is the best of many levels of digital broadcast formats. It is a widescreen format, which means the dimensions of the screen are in the ratio of 16 units wide by 9 high. Our old television screens have a ratio of 4 wide to 3 high. You have probably noticed that some videos you watch on your old television don’t fill up the whole screen, but look more like a movie. That is the widescreen view. HDTV provides the highest resolution and picture quality combined with digitally enhanced sound technology. You should know that HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of digital TV. KUAC will be broadcasting in HDTV.
Until March 31, each U.S. household is eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes. Each analog television in your home will require one of these. They will be available through March 31, and once issued are only good for three months. They are available by calling toll free 1-800-DTV-2009 or by going to www.dtv2009.gov.
KUAC will be hosting public seminars to explain the benefits of the digital transition and what you need to do to be ready. The experts involved include Greg Petrowich, CEO and general manager, and Keith Martin, director of technology and engineering, both of KUAC; and Bill Wright of KTVF. If you would like to schedule someone to address a group you may contact Tammy Tragis-McCook, marketing and community relations manager at KUAC, who can be reached at 474-1890.
Mary Ann Nickles, recently honored as an Outstanding Senior Volunteer by the Fairbanks North Star Borough, is a member of the KUAC Community Advisory Council which was formed in July of 2006.
Community Discussion
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Why are they making this a federal thing? I smell conspiracy...
Ch 7 and Ch 13 will continue to broadcast an analog signal on ch. 14 and Ch 16 throughout the digital conversion to ensure no interuption in programming.
What conspiracy? :rollseyes:
www.fcc.gov
www.dtv2009.gov is where you can get the coupons for a converter box, limit 2 per household; the FAQ and whatever other consumer information you are looking for is there.
www.dtvanswers.com, which has been a commercial at least on PBS for several months now.
If you are in a fringe reception area now, be prepared to lose most or all stations when the change comes. Might not be such a bad thing...
The government will give $80 to all households to receive a zippier boob tube? Now, THAT is pathetic.
Maybe if I wait long enough the government will give me a HDTV...
The coupon isn't applicable to TV's.
The coupon is only applicable to a set-top box that converts Digital Television, to Analog.
Further, if the set top box includes extra features (such as a DVD player), it is not eligible for the coupon.
That is by design, so that uncle sam is only paying for digital converter boxes only.
I'm from a newer generation so pardon my question but... who even has an analog tv anymore?
^
*raises hand*
I have both an analog and a digital hdtv. I love my hdtv for movies and games but I don't have cable and watching tv on any of the digital channels has become something I'm not looking forward to. I live in the middle of town and reception is horrible. I'm not exactly sure that "freeing up analog channels for emergencies" is really necessary? I'm pretty sure firefighters and the police don't communicate of their tvs now and why would they. I wouldn't call it a conspiracy but I do think its just a way that the government or private industries or someone can make a few extra bucks, because just about everyone owns a tv.
Just so you all know, KUAC (AlaskaOne) is the only station in the Fairbanks television market that is broadcasting anything in high definition. Which is pretty sad that a PBS station is the only TV station to do this in any market. I also noticed that KFXF Fox 7 is now broadcasting in digital, which leaves KXD CBS 13 as the only station in the Fairbanks market not broadcasting in digital.
Speaking of high definition, when will each station's chief engineers start providing network programming in high definition? I mean, come on, I've only been here for a year and the only way to get the Super Bowl in high definition this coming NFL season is to go down to Anchorage and watch KTUU Channel 2 (the only TV station in Alaska that has a real newscast) since they show NBC programming in HD.
Someone should tell these station managers (including ABC Alaska down in Anchorage, which is where it originates) to start catching up to the technology and start showing prime-time programming in HD.
One more thing...when will KXD start to go digital? Or has it already?
I haven't had TV in over 15 years. I don't think I missed a thing. I only have one hooked up to a DVD to watch Sam Elliot, that's good enough for me.
Well, I didn't really mean conspiracy, but someones pockets are getting lined and I hate it when the Gov gets involved in stuff that it doesn't need to be involved. Just more control and regulations. Still, why do they say they are doing it? How does the Gov have the right to say what type of tv we can watch, and why would they?
The current government has very little to do with this mandatory conversion. As a former television professional, we have known about the switch from analog to digital for over 15 years... the original changeover was mandated to take place 9 years ago, but it has been successfully pushed back by the Clinton administration and the current Bush administration, ... course, this really isn't a political issue anyway.
Digital signal is much more clearer, cleaner and stronger than analog, ...NO, emergency responders are not going to use "TV" for their industries, ... they will simply take over the spectrum of the analog range currently rented by television stations to supplement their own broadcast range.
, but perhaps we Alaskans can't really grasp that concept. Quite literally, even those few Alaskan stations that are simultaneously broadcasting a digital signal don't have the expertise or the experience in this new broadcasting spectrum. It's not as simple as putting the signal on the air, but relying on the same production capabilities and standards that are currently in place. It will still "look" the same, though the signal has changed. Do you want HD quality in your local productions? The station must capture the program with an HD camera. Simply broadcasting a non-HD program doesn't magically make it HD quality on your new LCD, even with the changeover.
The big problem is ...market. Alaska is running at the bottom of the pack when it comes to viewership. No surprise, we are the least populated state. For commercial stations, they need viewership to make a profit (selling airtime, or advertising). KUAC doesn't have to worry too much about that since they are funded by the governement, at least partially. Of course, being connected to a campus of higher learning, they are also able to procure federal grants, ...hence, they are already broadcasting in digital, broadcasting HD programming, and planning new HD productions.
To what end is all this talk about digital vs. analog? We'll see, if the governement didn't force this change over, I am willing to bet that Alaska never would make the transition. Since we must, ... I believe you will see more mistakes than successes in the coming years as Alaskan broadcasters try to compensate for 30+ years of status quo standards and ingenuity.
I may be slow, but I still don't get why this is federally mandated. What does it have to do with the health or safety of anyone?
Federal mandates don't need to have an origin based on health or safety, ... but ....
Digital technology is more efficient and overall less expensive than archaic technology of the past 50 years. Greater efficiency leads to cheaper costs, thereby reducing energy needs.
When television stations changeover, their current broadcast frequency will be turned over to police, fire, and safety departments. A rare occurrence, but sometimes signals either get lost, or are degraded by cross-traffic of transmission signals. Once TV stations go digital, the transmission strength and reliability for fire and safety programs will be strengthened. Hence, the federal mandate does have to do with the health and safety of the general public.
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