FAQ
Welcome to the most up to date place on the web for DTV information, tips, and tricks!
I made this blog to help viewers with the DTV transition, and maintaining signal quality throughout the year. I have rolled out a new layout for the blog designed to help you find the information you are looking for.
I post as often as I can with information pertaining to calls, emails, and search terms viewers send me. You can use the tabs at the top of the screen to navigate between pages on this site, and use the search box to locate specific issues you are experiencing. Believe me, if you are having an issue, someone else may have already encountered it and there is likely already a post on it.
You can begin on this page looking over the common DTV Frequently Asked Questions, or dive right in on the Index tab for specific posts. I hope the navigation is simple and easy to use.
By all means, please feel free to post comments on the posts, and any suggestions you have for future posts. The readers are very active on this site and have helped develop some great articles that should be of interest to anyone, whether using an antenna, cable, or satellite to receive our signals. (Also, not just us, but all stations in the Raleigh-Durham market!)
Email us at DTVanswers@wncn.com or call us at 919-835-6250
Q: What is the digital TV (DTV) transition?
A: 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 June 12, 2009 12:30pm 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 June 12, 2009 12:30pm, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.
Q: If I want a new TV, will I have to buy a High Definition TV (HDTV) to watch digital broadcast television after the transition?
A: No, but it is recommended. 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 and now HD sets are comparably priced to similar sized analog TVs.
Q: How can I be sure that I am buying a digital TV (DTV)?
A: 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 June 12, 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.
Q: What is the difference between ‘Integrated’ DTVs and DTV or HDTV ‘Monitors’?
A: 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.
Q: What about my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, and gaming console? Will I be able to use them with a digital television set?
A: 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.
Q: How do I get DTV or HDTV programming?
A: 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.
Q: Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?
A: 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.’
Q: I can get some DTV channels, but not all channels with my antenna. What’s wrong?
A: Any number of things can affect one channel and pass others fine. That’s the main point of this blog to help you identify what could be affecting the signals, and how to resolve it. Each station operates on assigned channels which are at different frequencies. The antenna is a broadband device that should receive all frequencies in the TV band, but some do not respond well at certain frequencies. Active devices like amplifiers, and passive devices like splitters, cable, and connectors can also affect the signals. Interference from motors, refrigerators, and industrial facilities can have a huge impact on certain frequencies. The terrain, distance from the towers, and trees can also impact reception. You can find details in this blog on a wide range of issues and how to resolve them.
Q: Where should I aim my antenna?
A: In the Raleigh-Durham market, most of the stations are co-located in the same area. On a map, identify US-70 East at the Wake – Johnston County line. That’s where WTVD, WNCN, WRDC, WLFL, WRAZ and WRAL are located. Ion’s WRPX is located near Louisburg, and WUNC is located near the Chatham County line South of Chapel Hill. Univision is located just West of Fayetteville in Broadway, which is on most maps. An outdoor antenna with a rotor is recommended.
Q: What will happen to the old analog TVs that will be replaced by DTVs? Will there be an effort to recycle them?
A: 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
Q: Does the DTV transition affect TV sets that are connected to cable services?
A: 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.
Q: Is the FCC making cable companies switch to digital service?
A: 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 June 12, 2009.
Q: Can I get local channels in HD on cable if I do not subscribe to an HD package?
A: Yes, if you have a newer TV set. Local stations are available on the QAM system used by cable systems, and if your TV is equipped with an QAM tuner, it will pick up the broadcast signals, and display the regular channel numbers for the station. On Time-Warner cable, our NBC 17 signal is carried on channel 93-2, but your TV will tune it as 17-1, 17-2, and 17-3 after scanning the channels. For an excellent list of clear QAM channels on Time-Warner in our area go here http://home.roadrunner.com/~res18h39/channels.htm
Q: Can my cable company make me get a box to receive the cable channels I receive today without a box?
A: 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. Typically, over the air broadcast signals are available in the clear on cable and only premium channels require a cable card or set top box from the cable company.
Q: My cable operator offers a digital cable package. Is this the same as HDTV?
A: No. ‘Digital cable’ and high definition programming on cable are not the same. If you want to watch premium 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. Local network stations are available on basic cable in our area. Check with your cable provider to find out what kinds of programming you can receive, and what equipment you need to receive it.
Q: Do cable TV networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital broadcasting as well?
A: 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.
Q: Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service?
A: 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.
Q: 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?
A: 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 June 12, 2009. The Commission will decide in 2011 whether the requirement should be continued beyond 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.
Q: Does the DTV Transition affect TV sets connected to satellite TV service?
A: 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.
Q: Can I hook up more than one TV and video recorder to a single digital-to-analog converter box?
A: 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 if you want to record or watch different channels simultaneously. 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. If you are fine with recording the same program, or viewing the same program in different rooms, you can install a splitter on the output of the box to feed the two different sets.
Q: 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?
A: 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.
Q: 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?
A: Yes, but you will need to get two adapters (also called “baluns” or “matching transformers,” which are pictured below). 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 twin-lead adaptor (first picture below). Then plug the twin-lead adaptor’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 coaxial adaptor (second picture below). Then attach the coaxial adaptor to your TV ‘Antenna In’ twin-lead terminals.
Q: What about my portable, battery-powered analog television? Will I be able to use it to watch broadcast television after June 12, 2009?
A: Portable, battery-powered analog televisions may be able to receive over-the-air programming if they are connected to a digital-to-analog converter box. Battery powered digital sets are now available in many screen sizes.
If your portable television contains labels or markings with the words ‘Integrated Digital Tuner,’ ‘Digital Tuner Built-In,’ ‘Digital Receiver,’ or ‘Digital Tuner,’ ‘DTV,’ ‘ATSC,’ or ‘HDTV Built-In’, then you should be able to view digital over-the-air programming without the need for a digital-to-analog converter box. Please check with an electronics retailer for availability and further information on these products.
Q: Will digital television stations continue to provide emergency alerts?
A: Yes. Digital television stations are required to continue operating the Emergency Alert System (EAS). For more information about EAS, please visit www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/eas.html.
Q: What are low-power (LPTV), Class A, and TV translator stations and how does the DTV transition affect them?
A: You may have noticed that Congress mandated that ‘full-power’ TV stations will not be able to broadcast in analog after June 12, 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 June 12, 2009 12:30pm 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. 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.
Q: What are my options for watching over-the air analog TV broadcasts from LPTV or translator stations after the digital transition?
A: 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.
Q: 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?
A: 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.
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