Television, as we know it, is about to change.
On February 17, 2009 SDPB-TV
will cease broadcasting our analog signal.
If you receive your signal over-the-air, and you do not have a television that has a digital tuner, you will not be able to get a signal.
If you subscribe to cable or satellite you will not be affected.
But every older analog TV set that gets its signal over-the-air, via antenna,
will not receive a signal after February 17, 2009.
For more information about the Digital TV Transition
Watch the SDPB DTV Transition Special
A special note for over-the-air viewers - it will be necessary for you to perform a channel scan on your digital TV or converter box after SDPB shuts off our analog signal. On February 18 you should scan for channels to make sure you’re picking up all available digital signals. Refer to your owner’s manual for more information.
WHAT DIGITAL MEANS TO YOU
The advantages of a digital signal are many. It is a much more efficient manner of delivering a signal and not subject to as much interference such as ghosting, static & radio interference. Viewers will hear enhanced stereo sound. Digital television also allows for a much higher picture resolution and you will see a much more vivid and brilliant picture.
Digital gives local TV stations the ability to split their signal into multiple channels and offer more viewing opportunities from which to choose. SDPB is now offering three channels: SDPB1 is our regular mix of children’s programming, Britcoms, locally-produced shows and PBS. SDPB2 is a channel that features news, information and documentaries. SDPB3 features how-to and travel programming. If you are an over-the-air viewer you may receive these channels (for free). You might have to perform a channel scan on your digital TV set or converter box. If you are a cable or satellite subscriber you should contact your provider to encourage them to pick up all three of SDPB’s channels.
HOW TO PREPAREIf you currently subscribe to cable TV, and all the TV’s in your home are connected to cable, you are all set. You need to do nothing for the DTV Transition. It is not necessary to upgrade to Digital Cable, nor is it necessary to purchase a converter box.
If you currently subscribe to satellite, all the TV’s in your home are connected to satellite, and you subscribe to the local channel package, you’re all set. You should not have to make any changes. However, if you do not receive the local channels as part of your satellite package, you should contact your satellite provider and work with them to determine the best way for you to receive them.
If you currently receive your TV signal over the air via antenna, you have three options:
- Subscribe to cable or to satellite (with the local stations package).
- Purchase a new digital TV set.
- Purchase a converter box and connect it to your current analog TV set.
You might already own a digital TV set. If you purchased a TV in the last year or two it might already have a digital tuner. To find out, check your owner’s manual. If you check the list of specifications and you see the letters “ATSC†or the word Digital in the area referring to the tuner, that means your TV is already digital.
If you own a set that has both an analog and digital tuner it might be necessary to set your TV to use the digital tuner. To do this, refer to the owner’s manual.
A converter box converts a digital signal to one that your analog TV can use. To connect your converter box unplug the antenna from your TV set and plug the antenna into the “Antenna In†port on the converter box. Then, connect the wire that came with your converter box from the “Out to TV†port on the converter box to the plug where your antenna was plugged in. Plug the converter box into the power outlet, turn it on, and run the initial set-up.
The federal government has had a program that assists viewers in purchasing converter boxes by providing coupons valued at $40. Apply for your coupons using one of these methods:
By phone: 888-DTV-2009 (toll free)
Online at www.MYDTV2009.gov
By fax at 1-877-388-4632
By mail at Post Office Box 2000, Portland, Oregon 97208.It may take up to a few weeks to receive your coupon, and during the time that you go without a converter box you will not be able to receive a TV signal.
A special note to viewers in the immediate vicinity of Bell Fourche and Spearfish: If you receive your signal over-the-air via antenna you should make sure that the converter box you purchase has a function called “analog pass-through.†SDPB’s translator stations serving the communities of Belle Fourche and Spearfish continue to broadcast an analog signal, even after the transition.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Much of the terminology can be confusing. Here is a short explanation that should help you when you visit your local electronics store. A more complete glossary and FAQ is here.
Digital TV or DTV - A Digital TV (or DTV) contains an over-the-air digital tuner, designed to be able to pick up a digital TV signal. You should be aware that every TV set manufactured after March 1, 2007, is required to have a digital tuner, so if you purchased your set after that date it most likely is properly equipped to receive a digital over-the-air signal. (Note: this rule only applies to TV sets 13†or larger. Retailers may continue selling analog-only TV sets, so make sure you check before you buy.)
HDTV or High Definition Television - All HDTV sets are digital, but not all digital TV’s are high definition. HDTV’s are typically larger and are more rectangular than analog sets. They are often referred to as “widescreen†sets. An HDTV is designed to provide you with a much crisper picture than a Standard Definition television.
Resolution - this refers to the quality of the picture. A Standard Definition TV has the lowest resolution, equivalent to current analog TV sets. Standard Definition TV’s have 480 lines of resolution. High Definition sets have either 720 or 1080 lines of resolution. The higher the number, the sharper the picture.A word about your antenna…
You should be able to continue receiving a TV signal using your current antenna. Generally speaking, if you get a clear, relatively crisp analog signal, your digital TV signal should be clear and crisp as well. However, due to differences in the method of transmission, channel allocations, and so forth, your antenna might need some attention.If you use an indoor antenna (“rabbit earsâ€) make sure it is properly connected and tuned. These antennae are susceptible to movement and other factors in the home. If you use an exterior, rooftop-mounted antenna, make sure it is properly attached to the home and oriented toward the broadcast tower. Note that in some cases viewers may need to upgrade to an antenna that receives both a VHF and UHF signal. For more information, visit your local electronics retailer, or read our FAQ.
2) Digital Television set. The cost of a digital Standard Definition (SD) set is comparable to current analog televisions, between $125 and $300. The advantage is cost - purchasing a standard definition digital TV set is less expensive than a High Definition TV. The disadvantages are that SD sets are 4 : 3 ratio, and have the lowest resolution of all sets.
COST
SDPB does not recommend a particular set, or a particular solution. Consumers need to properly research and determine what solution is best for them. The options are many and varied. Here are a few possibilities:
1) Set-top Converter Box or Digital Tuner. A set-top box connects to the TV you currently own, and to your external antenna system. It allows the digital signal to be captured and converted into information your current TV can interpret. The advantages are that this is the least expensive option, as it will allow you to continue using your current TV set(s). The disadvantages are that you do not benefit from the enhanced picture and audio quality available. Converter boxes cost between $50 and $70. The federal government is offering a coupon program to help pay for the cost of set-top converter boxes. Click here for information about the federal coupon program: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html
3) High-Definition TV set. This solution allows consumers to take advantages of all advances that digital television presents - the 16 : 9 “widescreen†aspect ratio, 5-channel surround sound stereo audio, and a crisp, clear picture. This solution is also the most expensive, with sets generally ranging in price from $350 to $3,000.
Remember, upgrading your equipment is only necessary if you do not already subscribe to cable or satellite TV.
Free, over-the-air television is still available for the taking.
Consumers will need to consider their options to determine how to best join the digital age.
The thing to keep in mind is that you need to have everything in place by February 17, 2009.
For more information about the digital transition,
contact our reception specialist, Dale Baity.
He can be reached at 1-800-456-0766.
For more information about the Digital Transition, visit these sites:
http://www.dtvanswers.com/
http://www.pbs.org/digitaltv/
http://www.dtvtransition.org/
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html
http://www.dtv.gov