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AlaskaOne :: Making Your DTV List and Checking it Twice |
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What you need to know about the June 12, 2009 switch to DTV.
What is DTV?
Digital television (DTV) is an innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.
Why the switch?
DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress - the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 - over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on June 12, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format. Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs.
What are the benefits of DTV?
Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at once. This is known as "multicasting." DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.
When is it?
The switchover from analog to digital broadcasting will be completed on June 12, 2009, as set by Congress. However, television stations have been preparing for the transition since the late 1990s, when they began building new facilities and airing digital channels alongside their regular analog broadcasts. Today, 1,582 full power television stations out of 1,729 stations nationwide offer digital programming in all markets across America.
Who's affected?
Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners - and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider - will be affected by the transition.
At least 19.6 million households receive over-the-air signals exclusively in their homes, and 14.9 million households have secondary over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens. Overall, nearly 70 million television sets are at risk of losing their signals on June 12, 2009, if consumers do not make the easy transition to DTV.
How do I switch?
Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service You can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of three simple steps:
- Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set.
- Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.
- Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider. All of these services will allow you to receive digital television signals on your analog television set. No additional equipment is required if you decide to go this route. However, be sure to check that the pay service you choose carries all of the program services provided by the local broadcast stations.
Converter Box Details
A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.
Information provided from http://www.dtvanswers.com
Want more information? Here are some web sites for you to browse
DTV Answers »
PBS »
Consumer Report »
Making Your DTV List and Checking it Twice
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP WATCHING ALASKONE
We want to be sure every viewer comes with us into the digital age and we're ready to help you with the information you need so you don't lose AlaskaOne after June 12, 2009. On that day, by law, we must pull the plug on analog broadcasting.
Here are the ways you can watch AlaskaOne's Digital TV signal:
Do you subscribe to a paid cable or satellite service?
If you get your TV from a cable or satellite provider, the company will likely see that you continue to get local stations including AlaskaOne. However it is recommended you contact your provider to confirm they are ready for the switch and no further action is needed.
Do you use an antenna?
If you receive over-the-air television programming via rabbit ears or other type of indoor or outdoor antenna, you have several choices:
1. Use a digital set-top converter box available through local and online retailers with your current TV and antenna. The federal government is making $40 coupons available to assist households in purchasing eligible converter boxes. For details and application information on the coupon program, click here or call 888-DTV-2009.
2. Purchase a new TV with a built-in digital tuner and use your current antenna. All new sets sold in the U.S. now include a digital tuner.
3. Subscribe to a cable or satellite service. Make sure to ask if you will still receive local channels, including AlaskaOne. Additional AlaskaOne "multicast" channels may not be available to all subscribers, so check with your provider before making your choice.
The digital conversion takes place June 12, 2009. After this date, you will no longer receive an analog signal. We urge you to take action now in case you need to troubleshoot. To help you make a smooth transition to digital television, KUAC recommends the following tips:
- Perform channel set-up/re-scan periodically.
To insure you're seeing all the channels in your area including our new channels Create and PBS World, consult your tuner manual and conduct a channel set-up or re-scan monthly and the day after the transition.
- Check/remove non-compatible splitters.
- In Fairbanks, all analog broadcasters utilize VHF channels, however most digital channels are operating on UHF channels. Splitters and cables designed for VHF may not be optimized for UHF. Check your antenna splitters or replace them with full bandwidth splitters that are designed for both VHF and UHF signals.
- Remove any old or unused splitters.
- Strive for the shortest antenna line possible.
- Remove extra/unused devices.
Remove any analog VCR's or TV's that are still hooked up. Additional devices can lead to signal loss.
- Upgrade your antenna.
- If you use indoor rabbit ears, make sure they have a UHF element (usually a loop or bowtie). If you still don't get good reception, consider a VHF/UHF outdoor antenna.
- If you already have an outdoor antenna, make sure it has a UHF element. Some older antennas in are only VHF.
- Check your outdoor antenna.
Antennas can be moved by strong wind or damaged. Check that your outdoor antenna is still in good shape and pointed in the right direction. To determine the best angle to get to your local stations visit www.antennaweb.org
- Raise the height of your outdoor antenna.
If your outdoor antenna worked fine for analog television but isn't performing up to snuff for digital TV, consider raising the height.
Visit www.alaskone.org or these other websites for more information. You can also call us at 907.474.7491.
www.dtvanswers.com
www.dtv.gov
www.pbs.org/digitaltv
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