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DTV Deadline Part 3

May 8, 2008

What to do with old televisions is something being discussed on a local and federal level.

The transition to exclusive digital broadcasting has made for a big changes.

And those changes filter down from TV stations to small businesses.

Kirk Williams has been a TV repair guy since 1974, back when people still had black and white sets.

How times have changed.

To call Kirk a TV repair guy now a days is something of a misnomer.

TV technology has changed the business so what’s a tv repair guy to do?

If you want to stay in business you have to adapt your business Next year’s digital transition has created a whole new market for Kirk.

Namely the installation of equipment that will allow viewers to watch digital TV.

But that new market comes with catch.

As viewers make the switch to digital many are upgrading their TV sets.

In order to get digital TV you don’t need a fancy hi def set, but Kirk says people are buying them anyway.

And often times, the old analog clunkers get left with him, piled up in the back of his office.

There’s no good solution yet, but in some places like the Jefferson County Recycling and Solid Waste Center, what to do with old TV sets is a big topic for discussion.

Rick Gilbert manages the facility and says his workers are setting aside all the old TV’s, along with computer monitors and other electrical materials.

As the expected wave of TV’s come in there’s a plan in the works to contract with an outside company and have all of it recycled.

A plan that will comply with federal environmental rules and ensure that loads of tv sets are getting dumped at the landfill.

People can still hold on to their old TV’s if they choose.

There are digital converter boxes available for older sets and the government is giving out $40 coupons to reduce the cost.

People are taking up the offer and as of this week the U.S. Commerce Department says about one million households have used those coupons to purchase a converter box.

Watch Part 3 of DTV Deadline:

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Written by Kris · Filed Under DTV Deadline | 2 Comments

DTV Deadline, Part 2: The Pitfalls

May 7, 2008

Most television stations already broadcast a digital signal as well as an analog signal.

Analog is the way TV stations have broadcast since the beginning.

There’s a big difference between those two kind of signals.

With analog, a TV viewer may get a crisp picture or a snowy one, depending on where he or she lives.

But with digital, you either get a clear picture or you get nothing - and that could lead to problems for some viewers.

Sherrie Demers lives in the St. Lawrence County town of Brasher.

Like many people in rural areas, she has a satellite and a big antenna for local stations, like Channel 7.

There’s one problem though.

“We do not get Channel 7. We would love to get it,” said Sherrie.

Channel 7 is out of range.

Sherrie can’t pick up the analog signal.

Her neighbors, who have cable can receive Watertown stations.

But Sherrie is stuck watching snow.

“We would love to get the local news around here, Watertown,” she said.

But what about the transition to digital?

Could Sherrie pick up local stations if she got a converter box for her set?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

It’s one of the unknown pitfalls of the digital transition.

“With digital there is the chance that you might not get anything if you’re in one of those fringe areas. But if you’re in an area where the signal is well received, you’re gonna get a picture that has absolutely no snowing, no ghosting,” said WWNY program director Jim Corbin.
Jim corbin is our station’s program director.

People who get Channel 7 with a snowy analog picture may not get us.

So sherrie may be stuck unless she has some serious gear to tap into the digital signal.

That’s where guys like Keith Patrick come in.

Patrick runs a Radio Shack store in Massena.

“We’re in an area where so many people are in different spots. Some people may get it really well with just their indoor antennas and some people maybe just watching snowy,” said Patrick.

Patrick helps people determine whether or not they’ll be able to get digital signals in their area.

For folks who have trouble, a really powerful antenna that reaches 150 miles or more could be the answer.

Each digital viewing household in “fringe areas” could be different.

That’s one drawback to digital.

Here’s another - hooking your analog TV up to one of those digital converters isn’t always the easiest task.

“I tried to and all I got was a snowy picture, but what I know about it now, maybe I could have done it,” said Allan Towles of Belleville.

He recently made the switch to digital.

But with it wasn’t as simple as hooking the converter up to a TV.

Towles had to pay someone to install it.

Other viewers may have to shell out money as well for installation or better gear like a bigger antenna.

TV stations have their own hurdles to jump as well.

All stations bordering Canada, ours included, have had to negotiate with that country to finalize our coverage area because Canada won’t be making the switch to digital for a couple more years.

Channel 7 and the Federal Communications Commission are currently in the process of finishing those negotiations.

In Part 3, we’ll talk about how the digital transition has changed the TV industry and the job of the TV repair man.

We’ll also look into where the old TVs go if people decided to upgrade.

See Part 1

See Part 2 of Jeff’s series:

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Written by Diane · Filed Under DTV Deadline | 2 Comments

DTV Deadline, Part 1: What You Need To Know

May 6, 2008

Since the conception of television, stations have broadcast with what’s called an analog signal.

But in recent years, almost all stations have started broadcasting digitally as well.

A digital signal provides a clearer picture.

Next year, the Federal Communications Commission will require stations to stop broadcasting with that old analog signal and use a digital signal.

Some viewers need to gear up or else their television sets may not work any more.

Allan Towles of Belleville uses a satellite dish to watch TV.

To watch local stations, he uses a rotary antenna fastened to his roof.

Now, fastened to his set is a new converter box, which allows him to receive those local stations in a digital format.

“The pictures are nice and clear now and I can switch from CBS to ABC or NBC and everything comes in clearer where before it used to be snowing,” said Towles.

If you’re like Towles and have an analog set with an antenna, you need to prepare for the digital conversion.

If you don’t, after February 17 of next year, you won’t be able to watch TV anymore.

The converter box is sold in most electronics stores and the government is offering rebate coupons to knock the cost down from $50 or $60 to about $20.

The box allows you to display digital signals on older TV sets.

People with cable service, or who only use a dish and don’t want local stations, don’t have to worry about the change.

It only applies to people like Towles, who use antennas.

Still, it’s a large undertaking and the government as well as TV stations are trying to get the word out about the transition.

But, there are a lot of misconceptions about the change.

For example, some people mistakenly believe they need to buy new and expensive televisions.

“It’s about 50-50. We get a lot of the older folks that come in that have no clue what’s going on. Everyone thinks they need to buy a high definition tv next year, when in reality, they just need a digital TV or a digital converter box,” said Matthew Northrup of Watertown Appliance and TV Center.

Another misconception - the deadline of February 17, 2009, is not when stations start broadcasting digital.

It’s when they have to drop analog.

In fact Channel 7 has been broadcasting digital for five years now.

“I think we’re all pretty impressed on how good the signal really is and how far it really goes out,” said WWNY program director Jim Corbin.

Right now about 1,600 out of 1,800 local TV stations nationwide already broadcast digitally so you don’t have to wait for the deadline to convert your own TV.

However, the transition to clearer and crisper television won’t come without some blips on the screen.

In part two, we’ll talk about the some of the pitfalls associated with the DTV deadline.

See Part 1 of Jeff’s special series ‘The DTV Deadline’:

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Some useful links:

Written by Diane · Filed Under DTV Deadline | 5 Comments

DTV Deadline: All Your Questions, Answered

May 6, 2008

The lengthy FAQ below is from www.dtv.gov, with local questions answered by 7News/Fox 28 Program Manager Jim Corbin.

What is the digital TV (DTV) transition?

The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.

Why are we switching to DTV?

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

Consumers also benefit because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, rather than being limited to providing one analog program, a broadcaster is able to offer a super sharp “high definition” (HD) digital program or multiple “standard definition” (SD) digital programs simultaneously through a process called “multicasting.” Multicasting allows broadcast stations to offer several channels of digital programming at the same time, using the same amount of spectrum required for one analog program. So, for example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers. Further, DTV can provide interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.

What do I need to do to be ready for the end of analog TV broadcasting?

Because Congress mandated that the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog would be February 17, 2009, over-the-air TV broadcasts will be in digital only after that date. If you have one or more televisions that receive free over-the-air television programming (with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), the type of TV you own is very important. A digital television (a TV with an internal digital tuner) will allow you to continue to watch free over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009. However, if you have an analog television, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box to continue to watch broadcast television on that set. This converter box will also enable you to see any additional multicast programming that your local stations are offering.

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the Government established the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), a part of the Department of Commerce, administers this program. Every U.S. household is eligible to receive up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Beginning in January of 2008, the NTIA has begun accepting applications for coupons. The coupons may only be used for eligible converter boxes sold at participating consumer electronics retailers, and the coupons must be used at the time of purchase. Manufacturers estimate that digital-to-analog converter boxes will sell from $40 to $70 each. This is a one-time cost. For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Cable and satellite TV subscribers with analog TVs hooked up to their cable or satellite service should not be affected by the February 17, 2009 cut-off date for full-power analog broadcasting.

Do I have to wait until after February 17, 2009 to watch DTV?

No, digital television is available now. If you watch over-the-air television today, you should be able to receive all or most of your local stations’ digital signals if you have a DTV receiver. You may view high definition and multicast programming from your local stations. Check your local program listings or contact your local TV stations to find out more about the digital television available now. The FCC’s special website, www.dtv.gov, has more information on digital television, or call 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).

Will the February 17, 2009 date for the end of full-power analog television broadcasting be pushed back?

Federal law mandates that February 17, 2009 is the last day of full-power analog television broadcasting. Government agencies, industry, public interest groups, and other interested organizations are working hard to make sure that the deadline is met and that everyone is prepared for the end of full-power analog television broadcasting.

If I have an older analog television, will I have to throw it away after February 17, 2009?

No. A digital-to-analog converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV to watch over-the-air digital broadcasts. You do not need to get rid of your existing analog TV. In addition, analog sets should continue to work as before if connected to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV. Also, analog sets should continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products that you use now.

Your Television

If I want a new TV, will I have to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television after the transition?

No. It is important to understand that the DTV transition is a transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. It is not a transition from analog broadcasting to High Definition broadcasting. Digital broadcasting allows for High Definition broadcasts, but High Definition is not required, and you do not need to buy a HDTV to watch digital TV. A Standard Definition DTV (which is simply a TV with an internal digital tuner), or a digital-to-analog converter box hooked to an analog TV, is all that is required to continue watching over-the-air broadcast television. Digital broadcast television includes Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) formats. You can watch High Definition programming on a Standard Definition DTV (or on an analog TV hooked to a digital-to-analog converter box), but it won’t be in full High Definition quality. It is also important to know that Standard Definition DTVs are comparably priced to similar sized analog TVs.

How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)?

By law, beginning March 1, 2007, all television reception devices (including TVs, VCRs, DVRs, etc.) imported into the U.S. or shipped in interstate commerce must contain a digital tuner. Retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory, but must prominently display on or near the analog-only device a Consumer Alert label with this advisory:

CONSUMER ALERT

This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.

Therefore, all television equipment being sold should contain a digital tuner, or should be identified at the point-of-sale as not having one. Be aware of this label and the limitations of analog-only devices if you are purchasing a new TV or other TV equipment.

How do I know if I already have a digital TV (DTV)?

Many DTVs and digital television equipment will have labels or markings on them, or statements in the informational materials that came with them, to indicate that they contain digital tuners. These labels or markings may contain the words “Integrated Digital Tuner,” “Digital Tuner Built-In,” “Digital Receiver,” or “Digital Tuner,” “DTV,” “ATSC,” or “HDTV” (High Definition television). If your television equipment contains any of these labels or markings, you should be able to view digital over-the-air programming without the need for a digital-to-analog converter box. (Remember, you do not need an HDTV to view free over-the-air digital programming. As long as your television equipment contains a digital tuner, you can view over-the-air digital. An HDTV is only necessary if you want to view High Definition programming in full HD quality.) You should also check the manual or any other materials that came with your television equipment in order to determine whether it contains a digital tuner.

If your television set is labeled as a “Digital Monitor” or “HDTV Monitor,” or as “Digital Ready” or “HDTV Ready,” this does not mean it actually contains a digital tuner. Thus, you still will likely need a separate set-top box which contains a digital tuner in order to view over-the-air digital programming.

Over-the-air digital set-top boxes for Digital or HD “Monitors” can be purchased at retail stores. Cable and satellite TV providers also sell or lease digital set-top boxes for their specific services. (Note: the digital set-top box described here is not the same as the digital-to-analog converter box, described above, used to convert free over-the-air digital broadcasts for viewing on an analog TV set.)

If your television set is labeled as “analog” or “NTSC,” and is NOT labeled as containing a digital tuner, it contains an analog tuner only.

If you cannot determine whether your television set or other television equipment contains a digital tuner, you are advised to check your equipment for the manufacturer name and model number, and then contact your consumer electronics retailer, or the manufacturer, to determine whether it contains a digital tuner. This information also may be available online through the manufacturer’s website.

Because most broadcast stations in all U.S. television markets are already broadcasting in digital, consumers can watch DTV today. You can contact your local broadcast stations to determine the channel numbers on which the stations are currently broadcasting digital programming. You should then ensure that your television is set up to receive over-the-air programming (as distinguished from being connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service), and then tune to the over-the-air digital channels to see if your set can receive the digital broadcast programming.

What is the difference between “Integrated” DTVs and DTV or HDTV “Monitors”?

An Integrated DTV set is a television with a built-in digital tuner (also referred to as “a DTV”). A digital tuner is also sometimes called a DTV decoder or DTV receiver. If you have an Integrated DTV, you will not need any additional equipment, with the exception of a broadcast antenna (either a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” connected to the set), to receive over-the-air digital broadcast programming. Integrated DTVs can also receive and display analog broadcast programming, so you can continue watching analog broadcasts.

In contrast, a DTV Monitor is not capable of receiving digital broadcast programming without additional equipment; it is simply a display device without the processing capability for DTV reception. A digital or HD set-top box must be connected between the antenna and the monitor to receive and display over-the-air digital or HD programming.

If you have a digital or HD “Monitor” and would like to purchase a digital or HD set-top box to view over-the-air programming, confirm with your retailer that the set-top box is compatible with your Monitor.

What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set?

Yes. Digital television sets are “backward compatible,” meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets. However, their video will only be displayed in the maximum resolution that is available with each analog product. Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound quality when DTVs are used with existing analog equipment. Check with your retailer to determine the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.

How do I get DTV or HDTV programming?

In order to receive over-the-air digital programming (as opposed to digital programming provided by a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service), you will need: (1) a DTV (a TV with a digital tuner) or an analog TV connected to a digital-to-analog converter box and (2) a broadcast antenna (either a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” connected to your set). In general, an antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog TV broadcasting will work for digital TV broadcasting.

A listing of the U.S. TV stations that are broadcasting digital programming is available at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvonair.html. Satellite TV providers and many cable systems are currently offering digital programming. Subscribers should check with their service providers to see what digital programming is available in their area.

Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?

In general, dependable reception of over-the-air digital TV programming will require the same type of signal reception equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV programming. If you need a roof-top antenna to receive analog TV broadcasts, the same antenna generally will work to receive digital TV broadcasts. You should not have to purchase new antennas that are marketed as “digital ready” or “HD ready.”

What will happen to the old analog TVs that will be replaced by DTVs? Will there be an effort to recycle them?

There are recycling programs for those who choose to discard old analog TVs or other old electronic products (but remember, analog TVs can continue to be used after the transition). One such program is myGreenElectronics. Through this program you can learn about disposal options and locate recycling programs near you. Go to http://www.mygreenelectronics.org for more information.

Cable and Satellite

Does the DTV transition affect TV sets that are connected to cable services?

No. If you subscribe to cable service, the DTV transition should not affect any TV sets that are connected to your cable services. The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations – stations that use the public airwaves to transmit their programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna.

Is the FCC making cable companies switch to digital service?

No. Cable companies are not required to switch to digital service. Cable companies may choose to make their service all or partly digital, but they are not required to change from the analog service they offer today. In fact, the FCC requires cable companies to continue to provide local stations in analog as long as they provide any analog service, even after February 17, 2009.

Can my cable company make me get a box to receive the cable channels I receive today without a box?

Some cable companies have decided to switch to digital service. This is a business decision made by the cable companies and is not required by the federal government. Your cable company may decide to move certain cable channels off of its analog service tier and onto a digital service tier, or it may decide to switch to all-digital service at once, so that there is no analog service tier for any subscribers. If your cable company decides to move some or all of the channels it provides onto a digital service tier, it may notify you that you need to get “digital cable” equipment to continue receiving that cable service. This may include renting or purchasing a digital cable set-top box or purchasing a digital cable ready TV equipped with a “CableCARD” slot. The digital cable equipment is different from the digital-to-analog converter boxes that are used to receive over-the-air broadcast signals.

How do I know if I already have digital programming through my cable or satellite TV service?

You may receive digital programming if you subscribe to a digital or HD package from your provider and you are viewing the digital programming on a digital set. However, the digital cable tier and satellite TV service are not necessarily DTV. Your cable or satellite TV system may be using digital technology as a more efficient way of delivering analog programming to you. If you have an analog television set, then you are probably not getting digital, even though the reception may be somewhat improved. Check with your cable or satellite TV provider to find out what kinds of programming you can receive, and what equipment you need to receive it.

My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV?

No. “Digital cable” and high definition programming on cable are not the same. If you want to watch HDTV programming on cable, you will need to subscribe to your cable provider’s HDTV package and view the programming on an HDTV set. You may also need a set-top box or other equipment to view HDTV programming. Check with your cable provider to find out what kinds of programming you can receive, and what equipment you need to receive it.

Do cable TV networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital broadcasting as well?

No. The current requirement to switch from analog to digital only applies to full-power broadcast TV stations, which use the public airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming. However, as cable providers convert to digital transmissions over their systems, you may need to subscribe to their digital tier to continue to receive this non-broadcast programming.

Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service?

Your cable system decides when and whether to carry programming on a digital tier, which may mean that you will need digital equipment. However, all of your local stations will continue to be available in analog format for as long as your cable system offers any analog service.

Will cable customers with analog TVs have to buy or rent a set-top box from their cable company? If so, how much will it cost?

First, it’s important to know that the February 17, 2009 deadline for the digital television transition only applies to full-power broadcast stations. Cable companies are not required by the government to transition their systems to digital, and can continue to deliver channels to their customers in analog. Cable companies are actually required by FCC rules to continue offering local broadcast stations to their customers in analog as long as they offer any analog service. This requirement will continue for at least three years after February 17, 2009. The Commission will decide in 2011 whether the requirement should be continued beyond February 17, 2012. This means that customers who receive analog cable service (without a cable set-top box) will be able to continue to do so.

However, for business reasons (among other things, digital is much more efficient than analog), cable companies may be interested in transitioning their systems from analog delivery to digital delivery. If a cable company makes the business decision to go all-digital (meaning it will stop offering any channels to its customers in analog), it must ensure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may require customers with analog televisions to get a set-top box. If the cable company provides the customer with a set-top box, any costs related to it will be determined by the cable company. Therefore, it is recommended that analog cable customers contact their cable company to ask if a set-top box will be needed, when it will be needed, and if there will be a cost.

It is also important to note that a cable set-top box is different from a digital-to-analog converter box. A digital-to-analog converter box is necessary only for analog televisions that receive their programming over-the-air using a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” connected to the set. A digital-to-analog converter box is not necessary for a TV connected to a paid television service such as a cable or satellite TV provider. Information on any set-top boxes needed for a paid service such as cable or satellite should be obtained from the service provider.

Does the DTV Transition affect TV sets connected to satellite TV service?

The DTV transition will not affect satellite TV subscribers who receive their local TV stations through their satellite dishes. Satellite TV service is a digital service and all satellite subscribers must have a set-top box connected to their TVs to receive the satellite-delivered programming. As a result, there should be no change in service for satellite subscribers unless the local TV stations are not provided by the satellite carrier. If you subscribe to a satellite TV service, you should check with your provider to find out if you receive a local TV station package through your satellite dish.

Converter Box

What is the Converter Box Coupon Program?

What digital to analog converter boxes are coupon eligible?

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is maintaining a list of eligible boxes at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm.

Can I hook up more than one TV and video recorder to a single digital-to-analog converter box?

You will need one digital-to-analog converter box for each TV set or other device (such as a VCR) that only has an analog tuner. The digital-to-analog converter box basically replaces the analog tuner in one piece of equipment. So if you want to use your analog TV and VCR at the same time (for example, to watch one program and record another simultaneously), you will need two digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Will digital-to-analog converter boxes (used to convert over-the-air digital TV broadcasts for viewing on analog sets) also convert digital closed captioning?

Yes. FCC rules require that digital-to-analog converter boxes be able to convert over-the-air digital closed captioning for display on analog TV sets. See http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcaptions.html.

I have an old antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Will I be able to use a converter box with this antenna?

Yes, but you will need to get two adapters (also called “baluns” or “matching transformers,”). Unscrew the existing twin-lead antenna wire from your TV “Antenna In” twin-lead terminals. Attach the existing twin-lead antenna wire to the twin-lead terminals on the balun. Then plug the balun’s coaxial connector into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on the Converter Box. Using coaxial wire, plug one end into the “Out To TV (RF)” port on the Converter Box. Plug the other end into a second balun. Then attach the second Balun to your TV “Antenna In” twin-lead terminals.

General Questions

What about my portable, battery-powered analog TV? Will I be able to use it to watch broadcast TV after February 17, 2009?

Portable, battery-powered analog TVs may be able to receive over-the-air programming after February 17, 2009 if they have the necessary plugs to allow them to be connected to a digital-to-analog converter box. Because it is not anticipated that battery powered digital-to-analog converter boxes will be produced, an external power source would also be required.

What are low-power (LPTV), Class A, and TV translator stations and how does the DTV transition affect them?

You may have noticed that Congress mandated that “full-power” TV stations will not be able to broadcast in analog after February 17, 2009. While the majority of the viewed TV broadcast stations are full-power stations, three other categories of TV stations exist – “low-power” stations, “Class A” stations, and “TV translator” stations. There is currently no deadline for these stations to convert to digital broadcasting.

The FCC created low-power television (LPTV) service in 1982 to provide opportunities for locally-oriented television service in small communities. These communities may be in rural areas or may be individual communities within larger urban areas. LPTV stations are operated by diverse groups and organizations including high schools and colleges, churches and religious groups, local governments, large and small businesses and individual citizens. More than 2,100 licensed LPTV stations are in operation. LPTV programming can include satellite-delivered programming services, syndicated programs, movies, and a wide range of locally-produced programs.

Class A TV stations are former LPTV stations that have certain interference protection rights not available to LPTV stations. These stations are technically similar to LPTV stations, but unlike LPTV stations must air at least three hours of locally-produced programming each week and comply with most of the non-technical regulations applicable to full-power stations. Approximately 600 licensed Class A TV stations are in operation.

A TV translator station rebroadcasts the programs of a full-power TV broadcast station. Translator stations typically serve communities that cannot receive the signals of free over-the-air TV stations because they are too far away from a full-power TV station or because of geography (such as uneven terrain or mountains). Many of the 4,700 licensed TV translator stations operate in mountainous or more remote areas of the country.

There are several ways to determine whether the broadcast stations you view over-the-air (with a rooftop antenna or “rabbit ears” attached to your TV) are LPTV, Class A or TV translator stations. Class A stations are required to visually or aurally identify their stations with their community of license and call sign (that includes the suffix “-CA” for Class A) at sign on, sign off, and on an hourly basis. LPTV stations also must regularly identify their station call sign. When locally originating programming, they must visually or aurally identify their call sign and community of license at sign on, sign off, and hourly. LPTV call signs may consist of four letters followed by the suffix “-LP” (for low power) or, alternatively, five characters beginning with the letters K or W followed by two numbers (their operating channel) and two additional letters. Also, some TV translators are identified by the full-power TV stations whose signals they rebroadcast. Further, LPTV, Class A, and TV translator stations may regularly broadcast information as to their status, and may include information regarding the DTV transition.

While the February 17, 2009 deadline for ending analog broadcasts does not apply to low-power, Class A, and TV translator stations, the FCC will require these stations to convert to digital broadcasting some time thereafter. Nearly 2,000 of these stations have been authorized to construct digital facilities and some are broadcasting in digital already. The FCC is currently considering the remaining issues involved with the low-power digital transition and will make decisions regarding these stations in the future.

If you have an analog-only television that receives free over-the-air programming (with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV), you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box in order to watch digital broadcast television. Each U.S. household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program. More information can be found at www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

If you purchase a digital-to-analog converter box to watch digital broadcasts on an analog TV and also wish to continue watching analog LPTV, Class A, or TV translator stations, you should purchase a converter box with “analog pass-through” capability, which allows analog broadcast signals to pass through the converter box to be tuned by your analog TV. NTIA’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program has certified converter box models that have analog pass-through capability. A current list of coupon-eligible converter boxes is available at https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm. The converter box models that have analog pass-through capability are noted on the list with an asterisk next to them. In addition, NTIA will mail a list of current coupon-eligible converter boxes, noting with an asterisk those that have analog pass-through capability, to each household that receives converter box coupons. You can also check with your retailer to determine whether the converter box you are purchasing has analog pass-through capability.

If you purchase a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through capability, you may have to connect an antenna switch or a signal “splitter” to bypass the box if you wish to view analog TV broadcasts. Check with the manufacturer of the digital-to-analog converter box and your retailer if you need instructions on how to connect the box to view broadcasts from both analog and digital stations.

Viewers should look for information from their LPTV, Class A, and TV translator stations about plans to convert from analog to digital broadcasting. Viewers should also visit www.fcc.gov for any updates on the digital transition of low-power, Class A, and TV translator stations.

What are my options for watching over-the air analog TV broadcasts from LPTV or translator stations after the digital transition?

To watch analog LPTV and translator station broadcasts received through an antenna, you can take one or more of the following actions:

Keep an analog TV connected to a broadcast antenna to view analog LPTV and translator station broadcasts.
Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that has analog pass-through capability. For a current list of digital-to-analog converter boxes that have been certified by NTIA as eligible for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, click on https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm and look for the boxes with the asterisk (*) next to them. Analog pass-through allows you to watch analog television broadcasts as well as digital television broadcasts through the converter box.
Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through capability, and then connect a “splitter” or antenna switch to receive both analog and digital broadcasts. Check with your consumer electronics retailer if you need instructions on how to connect the box to view broadcasts from both analog and digital stations.
Purchase a digital television set. A television with a built-in digital tuner can receive both analog and digital stations, so you will be able to watch both digital programming and analog LPTV and translator station programming for as long as these stations continue to broadcast in analog.
Subscribe to a cable television or other pay service that carries the analog station(s) you want to watch.

Will I be able to use parental controls like the V-chip with digital TV the same way I now can with my analog TV?

Yes. The V-chip is a technology that enables parents to block television programming based on a program’s rating. The ratings are encoded within the television signal. The V-chip reads the encoded rating information of each program and blocks shows according to the parents’ blocking selections. FCC rules require that V-chips be built into digital televisions and other DTV reception devices just as they are in analog televisions. You can learn about the ratings system, also known as “TV Parental Guidelines,” at www.fcc.gov/vchip.

Local Questions

What kind of special information does a resident of the North Country need to know to make the transition to DTV?

If they use an antenna and have an older TV set (and want to continue to use it) they should get a DTV converter box. Coupons are available on a first come first serve basis and are available now. Boxes are in the stores. Don’t wait until Feb 2009…this is a transition to all DTV, not the start of it. We’ve been broadcasting since 2003. Get it now to benefit from the better pictures, more programming choices and features like the electronic program guide.

(Now the stuff that complicates things) LPTV stations like our FOX stations (Watertown & Massena) are not mandated to stop analog broadcasts. Not all converter boxes pass analog signals, so if the viewer uses our analog LPTV signals or watch Canadian analog signals, they want a box that passes analog.

I’ve been using the same antenna on my house for years. Do I have to make a change?

Most likely not. The signals are a different format, but they are still just signals that need to be received by an antenna…rooftop always works best. WWNY-DT currently broadcasts on UHF channel 35, but will revert back to VHF channel 7….so if a new antenna is planned get a combo UHF/VHF.

Does extremely bad winter weather affect DTV reception?

It should not, especially when we revert back to VHF channel 7. VHF frequencies are less affected by the weather and terrain.

The TV station is getting an extra “digital channel”. What is it and what do you plan to do with it?

All full powered stations were given a DTV frequency to use. One of the benefits of DTV is the ability to run more than one program feed. WWNY-DT airs WWNY in HDTV on one channel and WNYF FOX-28 on another (7.1 & 7.2). Also, full-powered stations that were given a DTV signal to use for the transition have to turn either that one back or their orignal analog frequency back to the FCC. WWNY plans to turn in channel 35…WNYF FOX-28 had already applied for it to operate WNYF-CA Watertown digitally…this will happen some time after 2/17/2009. Those DTV broadcasts for FOX will also be in HDTV.

Got another questions? Ask Jim Corbin, our in-house expert, using the form below.

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DTV Deadline: Helpful Links

May 6, 2008

Below are some links to help you find out more about what you need to know.

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DTV Deadline: Where Old TVs Go To Die

May 6, 2008

What happens to old TVs when they’re not wanted anymore? There’ll be lots of them early next year, when many old TV sets no longer work with the new, federally-mandated digital TV signals. 7News reporter Jeff Nelson went looking for the answers. Our Kris Rusho assembled this video piece from what Jeff found:

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