FAQs

THE FACTS

What is the digital transition?

The switch from analog (over-the-air) to digital TV (DTV) is referred to as the Digital Transition. DTV is a higher quality, more efficient way to transmit TV signals than the traditional analog method, which can have interference and reception problems that can distort a picture.

Why the switch?

The government mandated the switch because digital is a more flexible, more efficient technology that allows better picture quality and sound, more programming options and also frees up the airwaves for public safety.

How will this switch affect me?

If you watch a conventional analog TV set and use an antenna or "rabbit ears" to receive over-the-air signals, you will need to change to digital to continue watching television after February 17, 2009. If your TVs have digital tuners, or if you have cable or satellite service, your reception will continue uninterrupted.

What are the benefits of digital television?

Digital television (DTV) is a better technology that sends clearer signals through the air, so you’ll enjoy dramatically enhanced pictures, better sound quality and more channels, schedule choices and variety through multiple channels of programming known as multicasting. Switching to digital also frees up broadcast space, which can be used for public safety communications such as police, fire and emergency rescue.

Is there anything that I need to do on February 17, 2009, the day of the DTV transition?

It is crucial and necessary you have your DTV converter box perform a new channel scan. If you don't do this, you will lose many of the channels that you have been watching, as broadcasters, including KCET, move to their permanent DTV channels.

What is multicasting?

Multicasting allows several channels of digital programming to be broadcast at the same time, using the same space required for one analog program. So, if KCET broadcasts in analog on Channel 28, we can only offer one program, but if we broadcast in digital, Channel 28 becomes four channels: Channel 28.1, Channel 28.2, Channel 28.3 and Channel 28.4.

What should I do first?

First, take an inventory of the TVs in your home. Even if you’re a cable or satellite customer, you may have one or more TVs that aren’t hooked up to your pay service. These secondary TVs, likely to be analog, won’t be able to receive a picture after February 17, 2009.

What are my choices?

1. Buy a new digital-to-analog converter box that will plug into your existing analog TV.

2. Buy a new TV equipped with a built-in digital tuner.

3. Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service.

A converter box may be your best option.

There are a number of reasons why buying a converter box may be the most cost effective for you:

• It’s a one-time purchase.
• You get a $40 government coupon to help with the cost.
• There are no ongoing monthly cable or satellite charges.
• You’ll enjoy more KCET channels and more programs.
• Your viewing experience will continue to be absolutely free.

DTV CONVERTER BOX AND COUPONS

What is the Converter Box Coupon Program?

To help consumers with the DTV transition, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) established the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program. It lets all U.S. households request up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of up to two set-top converter boxes.

Will any converter box purchased be compatible with my TV?

A converter box will work with any analog TV. Reminder: TV Sets made before 1980 may require a balun.

What is a set-top converter box?

The set-top converter box is a small, easy-to-install, remote-controlled electronic device that connects to your older television set and converts the digital television signal into analog so that it can be viewed on your analog TV.

How much will a set-top converter box cost?

A one-time purchase of a set-top converter box will cost somewhere between $50 and $70. With the two $40 coupons the U.S. Government is offering, it makes the cost of a digital converter $30 or less, plus applicable sales tax and/or shipping charges.

When are the coupons available?

Coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis and expire after 90 days after issuance, so you need to act soon. Once expired, they cannot be replaced. Coupons are valid only toward the purchase of certified boxes, cannot be combined and will not cover any sales tax or shipping charges.

How many converter boxes will I need?

You need one converter box for each analog TV in your home that does not have a digital tuner and is connected to an antenna or rabbit ears.
You do not need a converter box for:
A TV that is hooked up to cable or satellite;
TV that is fully digital, with an ATSC tuner; or
A TV that is used only to view DVDs or VHS tapes or to play video games.

How do I sign up?

For more information on the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program, visit the NTIA’s web site at:
www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon, or call 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).

Where do I get the converter boxes?

Several national retail chains have already committed to selling the boxes. They include: Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Target, Sears, Kmart, Radio Shack and Sam’s Club.

I installed my DTV converter box, and I get lots of DTV channels, but I can't seem to get KCET. Is KCET broadcasting in digital yet?

Yes, KCET has been broadcasting digital television since 2000 on UHF channel 59. If your converter box doesn’t find KCET during its initial channel scan, try manually tuning to channel 59.1 or 59-1 depending on your receiver’s remote control. This will force the converter box to remember KCET as part of your receivable channels. Remember that after February 2009, KCET will be switching our digital channel to UHF 28, which is KCET’s current analog channel.

How do I install the rest of my electronic equipment once my digital converter box has been set up?

Not being able to see your set up, and not knowing what you have, it's very difficult for us to tell you how to set up your equipment, other than your converter box. For additional assistance, you may contact your local Best Buy, Radio Shack, Circuit City, or perhaps, a local TV Repair Shop.

What brand of digital converter box do you recommend?

We can't legally recommend a specific brand of converter box. However, we encourage you to visit the following website: www.dtv2009.gov for a complete list of coupon eligible converter boxes. You can also check with local electronics retailers to see what's available in your area.

I have tried to manually tune to KCET’s digital channel, but still don’t get reception. What should I do?

If you are getting reception of other DTV channels, you may need to experiment with your antenna placement or orientation. If you are using an outdoor antenna, you may need to change its orientation somewhat in order to receive KCET. If you are using an indoor antenna, try placing it near a window or doorway that points towards the transmitter site or moving it around the room to get better reception. In either case, since DTV signals are different than analog signals, some experimentation may be required in order to find the best place in your home to view KCET’s digital channel. If you still can’t get KCET, you may need to consider upgrading to a better antenna than the one you are currently using, or having your current antenna checked out to make sure it’s performing as well as it should.

Why do I get a black box around my screen while viewing DTV via my DTV converter box?

On our HD channel, you might notice that some of the shows have curtains on the left and the right side of the picture. These curtains are only generated when the show is originally produced in 4:3 aspect ratio. This is done to prevent distortion of the image caused by stretching it to fill the screen. The upper and lower letter box is generated by your converter box. If you wish to modify these settings on your converter box, you need to access that option in the Menu of your converter box. If you are uncertain as to how to access the Menu, please refer to your converter box instruction manual. Programming that is produced in HD or widescreen SD,16:9 aspect ratio, will fill the screen with letterbox only.

Will a converter box be required for portable TVs, hand held TVs or built-in and drop down TVs with battery option and plug-in that are not connected to cable? Will these be obsolete after the transition?

Any TV that does NOT have an ATSC tuner or is not connected to cable or satellite, will require a converter box. In order to connect a converter box, the TV in question, MUST have an external antenna input.

If I live in an area served by a KCET translator, why do I need a converter box if it's going to stay analog?

You still need a converter box to view your local full service broadcast stations, as they will be forced to switch to digital in February 2009. May we suggest you look for an analog pass-through converter box, as this would be the best solution to your problem and allow you to watch both full power DTV and analog translators in your area.

YOUR TELEVISION

Do I need to buy a new TV?

No, there’s no reason to buy a new TV unless you choose to. A DTV converter box will allow you to continue using your existing analog TV to watch over-the-air digital broadcasts.

What if I decide to buy a digital TV?

If you wish to upgrade to a new TV set, you’ll need to choose between standard definition digital TV and high-definition digital TV. High-definition offers the very best picture. As long as you buy a digital TV with an ATSC digital tuner, you’ll be set up correctly.

How can I be sure I am buying a digital TV?

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.

Once I convert, will my analog TV be fully digital?

You won’t see full digital quality on an analog TV, but you’ll still enjoy enhanced picture and sound, along with multiple channels of programming.

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

No, KCET is already airing digital television programming and will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. On that date, KCET and other full-power TV stations will stop broadcasting on their current analog channels.

How do I tell if my TV set is analog or digital?

If your TV is a few years old, most likely it is not digital. A TV must have an ATSC tuner (Advanced Television Systems Committee) to be fully digital. To see what you have, check your owner’s manual, the TV itself, the store where you bought it, or the manufacturer’s website for full details about your particular model.

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 switch over from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. It is not a transition from analog broadcasting to high- definition broadcasting, and you do not need to buy a HDTV to watch digital TV.

If I buy a digital TV will my VCR, DVD player, video games or other equipment still work?

Yes, they will continue to work, even if they are only analog capable.

Will a converter box also convert digital closed captioning?

Yes. Federal Communications Commission rules require that digital-to-analog converter boxes be able to convert over-the-air digital closed captioning for display on analog TV sets.

Can I use parental controls like the V-Chip with digital TV the same way I can with analog?

Yes. V-chip technology enables parents to block television programming based on a program’s rating. FCC rules require that V-Chips be built into digital televisions and other DTV reception devices just as they are in analog sets.

What HD mode is KCET broadcasting in?

720p.

Why doesn't KCET broadcast in 1080i?

Due to the number of multi-cast channels that we run, 720p is required for more reliable picture quality.

What’s the difference between high-definition and digital TV?

A standard digital picture consists of 480 horizontal lines on the screen, while high-definition television (HDTV) displays the highest-quality digital TV pictures; 1,080 or 720 horizontal lines. High definition provides a much higher resolution and a clearer, more detailed picture. To view all HDTV features, you need an HDTV set.

How much will digital improve my TV viewing?

Over-the-air digital programming provides a better viewing experience than over-the-air analog programming, as long as you have good quality reception through your antenna.

Will I be able to watch my portable, battery-powered TV after February 17, 2009?

Yes, but only if it has the necessary plug to allow it to be connected to a DTV converter box. Because it is not anticipated that battery-powered DTV converter boxes will be produced, an external power source would also be required.

YOUR ANTENNA

Will I need to buy a new antenna?

The same antenna generally will work when you hook up your converter box or purchase a new digital TV. However, there is a real possibility that you may need an antenna upgrade in addition to a DTV converter box. For a helpful resource, go to:
www.anntennaweb.org or www.tvfool.com.

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

Yes, but you may need to buy an interchangeable matching transformer (also called a "balun") to which you will connect your antenna on one end, and then connect the balun to your converter box. You will then need a second adapter to connect to the converter box with a length of antenna wire to connect to your TV.

What is a Smart Antenna?

It's a new type of DTV antenna that automatically adjusts and locks on to the strongest signal. While these antennas are a great technological innovation, they are not necessary for DTV reception.

CABLE/SATELLITE

What if I have cable or satellite?

If you have cable or satellite service, or if your TVs have digital tuners, your reception will continue uninterrupted. If you have cable or satellite on your main TV but use an antenna to get a signal on additional TVs, those TV sets will only show "snow" unless you take action and hook them up to a pay service or get a converter box.

If I have basic cable, will I lose access to all of the local channels once the conversion goes into effect in February?

It depends on your cable company's plans on continuing analog service. The best thing to do is to contact your cable provider and ask them how long analog will be available and when they plan to drop their analog service, in favor of digital. FCC rules state that a cable provider can continue to provide analog service to it's customers for up to three years after the conversion date. However, it is up to their discretion, as to how long they will offer analog.

Do I need to subscribe to cable or satellite to get the best picture quality?

No, cable and satellite compress your signal. The best picture quality will still come over-the-air with an antenna used in conjunction with a receiver in your digital TV set or a digital set-top converter box. And best of all, it’s still free.

My cable operator offers a DTV 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. 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 have to switch to digital Broadcasting as well?

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. This requirement will continue for at least three years until they decide in 2011 whether it should be continued beyond February 17, 2012.

Why do I need a converter box when I have cable?

You don't need a converter box if you have cable, EXCEPT, if you have additional TVs in your home that are NOT connected to cable.

Will cable customers with analog TVs have to buy or rent a set-top box from their cable company?

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.

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