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The FCC has designated February 17, 2009 as the official shutoff date for all analog broadcasts.
See below for answers to your questions about the Digital Conversion.
Click HERE for a list of the 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Digital and High Definition TV |
| Digital Conversion |
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If I have DIGITAL CABLE, do I need a new TV or converter box?
Answer
No, you will receive the digital signal through your existing cable. You don’t have to do anything!
If I have REGULAR CABLE, do I need a new TV or converter box?
Answer
No, you will receive the digital signal through your existing cable. You don’t have to do anything!
If I have SATELLITE/DISH, do I need a new TV or converter box?
Answer
No, you will receive the digital signal through your existing satellite dish. You don’t have to do anything!
Who needs a converter box?
Answer
If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna for TV reception, you probably need a converter. Television sets connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service do not require converters. Televisions with digital tuners also do not need converters.
What will a converter box do?
Answer
The converter box will allow your existing analog television to receive the new digital signal without the use of cable or satellite.
How/Where do I get a converter box?
Answer
Converter boxes are available at retail stores that sell televisions and other electronics. So far, Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam's Club, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart QVC have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, along with more than 100 other retailers
How much will a converter box cost?
Answer
The price is expected to be around $60. All U.S. households are currently eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. EchoStar has just unveiled a converter box (the TR-40) that will retail for $39.99 - it will be available in limited quantities starting in March 2008 and in unlimited quantities starting in June 2008.
Where can I get a coupon for a converter box?
Answer
Requests will be taken beginning January 1, 2008, and going through March 31, 2009. Coupons will be sent out beginning on February 17, 2008 (one year before the conversion date). There are a limited number of coupons available, and the demand is expected to be high, so request yours early. Coupons will expire after 90 days. You can request a coupon in one of four ways:
Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov.
Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), TTY 1-877-530-2634.
Mail a coupon application to: P.O. BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.
Fax a coupon application to 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632).
How many coupons can I request?
Answer
Up to TWO per household to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Do I need a converter box for every TV?
Answer
Yes. Each television will need its own converter box to be able to receive the new digital signal.
Will my existing DVD Player, VCR, etc, still work after the digital conversion?
Answer
Yes. The conversion only affects over the air TV viewing. All of your peripherals will work the same as they always have.
How do I know whether or not my TV has a digital converter already?
Answer
If you have a newer model of TV, then it may already have an internal digital converter, meaning that you will not need a converter box to continue receiving a television signal. Check your owner's manual, or call the customer support number for your TV's manufacturer to find out.
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Digital and
High Definition TV |
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How is Digital Television (DTV) different from High Definition Television (HDTV)?
Answer
DTV is the new way of transmitting television signals, replacing the analog signal, which is the way television has been transmitted for the last 50 years. HDTV uses more of the allotted channel to offer superior picture and CD quality audio. Stations may provide multiple, simultaneous television programs, including HDTV, within the allotted channel, a process called multicasting.
When will television stations begin to broadcast in HDTV?
Answer
Stations across the country, including all West Michigan stations, are already broadcasting in HDTV.
Will my present analog TV receiver be obsolete when stations start broadcasting in HDTV?
Answer
Yes, however, digital to analog converters will be available to permit your continued use of your present TV sets, although the picture quality will not be as good as a true HDTV will produce. Soon, analog television receivers will no longer be manufactured and will be phased out as parts no longer are available.
How much will HDTV television receivers cost?
Answer
HDTV television receivers will become available for home use in a variety of options with varying price tags. HDTV sets are available now and are priced at or above $1,000 for flat screen plasma displays. Large screen projectors will also be available (priced at a similar level). Smaller tabletop HDTV receivers will be available with prices coming down as set makers begin mass production.
Will I be able to use my present outdoor antenna to receive HDTV broadcasts?
Answer
Yes, you may be able to use your current outdoor antenna depending on its quality and design. If it will not work, you will need to buy a special antenna to receive the digital signal.
Will there be fringe reception problems with digital broadcasts?
Answer
No, the days of “snowy pictures” and fading in and out will end. With digital transmissions, you either get a perfect picture and sound, or nothing at all.
What does WGVU offer now that multicasting is available?
Answer
We are currently airing four separate channels (called Standard Definition Television). Two of our channels broadcast our regular schedule. One channel broadcasts the national schedule of PBS programming in High Definition 24 hours a day. The third channel, called Create, features lifestyle programs from PBS, including cooking, travel, gardening and craft shows. In the coming years, we will be increasing our schedule, adding more children’s shows and possibly more public affairs programs.
Why is this new digital technology necessary? What’s wrong with television as we’ve always had it?
Answer
This is a change that has been mandated by the United States Congress. Television, as we’ve known it up until now, has been a passive device. With HDTV, the computer is merging with television. This will create a new “appliance” in your home – one that offers you special interactive elements allowing you to select camera angles when watching a sporting event or concert, opportunities to make or change appointments, vote anywhere in the world, do comparative shopping right from your living room, watch programs when convenient for you, and download movies from community video servers. There’s nothing wrong with your present TV, any more than there was something wrong with records when they were replaced by cassettes and then CDs. It’s just an improved way of delivering information, education, and entertainment into your home – in an interactive way.
What is data-casting and will it be available with digital television?
Answer
Data-casting allows the transmission of special information to your home using hidden space in the digital broadcast signal, much as closed captioning does with today’s conventional television. WGVU will be able to provide you with stock quotes, sport statistics, school closings, weather bulletins, travel information, electronic newspapers, and other educational material to enhance your availability of resources. DTV provides a digital pipeline into your home with a transmission rate up to 500 times that of your PC modem.
What does WGVU provide using HDTV technology?
Answer
WGVU is uniquely positioned to bring you the finest in HDTV viewing. Our nature, outdoor and travel programs are even more spectacular in HDTV. Quality drama and concerts come into your home with six channel, surround CD quality sound. Our educational programs provide teachers with new resources designed to enhance the learning process.
My favorite programs were produced for conventional analog TV. Will they be available for DTV?
Answer
Yes. A format converter will be used to convert analog programs to DTV.
Why will HDTV programs be rectangular rather than the square picture I now have?
Answer
Today’s TV receiver has a picture in a 3:4 ratio – three units high and four units wide. HDTV is broadcast in a 9:16 ratio – 9 units high and 16 units wide. HDTV format accepts wide screen movie format perfectly. Movies will be experienced in your home with a clarity and sound quality previously reserved for the finest theaters.
What is the key advantage of DTV?
Answer
Probably the most important advantage is that it preserves a free, over-the-air television service. DTV will also make it possible for the first time for broadcasters to deliver multiple channels and enhanced data services into your home.
What does DTV mean to WGVU?
Answer
It means that we will be better able to serve the West Michigan community. Technology has now caught up with the mission of PBS and what that means for WGVU is a tremendous improvement in providing quality educational, informational and entertaining programs in ways we couldn’t even imagine just a few years ago.
EXPERIENCE HDTV!
You and your family are invited to experience HDTV any weekday between
8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in our lobby on the 8th floor of the Meijer Public Broadcast
Center in downtown Grand Rapids. WGVU is located at 301 W. Fulton Street, corner of Front and Fulton. Call ahead (800-442-2771) to make sure the HDTV equipment is available before coming, as we occasionally take it out on the road for talks and demonstrations throughout West Michigan. If you would like a demonstration presentation for a service club (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.), please contact us to make arrangements. |
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Images of our new Digital Antenna going
up in Allendale! |
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Download PDFs of our Digital Conversion from the past few years:
2004
2005
2006 |
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Comcast Digital Cable:
Channel 6 (depending on where you live) - WGVU Analog
Channel 85 - WGVU 35.2 (Digital Simulcast of the analog signal)
Channel 240 - WGVU-HD
Channel 242 - WGVU Create |
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Charter Digital Cable:
Channel 12 (depending on where you live) - WGVU Analog
Channel 135 - WGVU 35.2 (Digital Simulcast of the analog signal)
Channel 136 - WGVU Create
Channel 785 - WGVU-HD |
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Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) announced today that WGVU-PBS is now available in High-Definition, delivering a crisp, detailed picture with crystal-clear digital sound. WGVU-HD is available on channel 785 for subscribers with Charter’s HD access service.
“Customers are continuing to purchase HDTV sets in ever increasing numbers and are demanding high quality programming to match, and Charter is meeting that challenge,” said Dan Spoelman, Charter’s Vice President and General Manager. “Our priority is to provide our subscribers with value by offering the widest array of programming and enhanced services, and we are very happy to begin offering WGVU-PBS in High-Definition,” added Spoelman.
“The three key features of digital television, High-Definition (HDTV), multicasting, and data transmission will present many opportunities for WGVU to further its mission of bringing the highest quality programming available to inform, educate, and entertain our viewers,” commented Brad Gordon, WGVU Marketing Coordinator. “WGVU-Create is also available, focusing on do-it-yourself genres like cooking, renovating, painting, traveling and other interests.”
Charter’s digital subscribers will also be able to watch their favorite WGVU-PBS programs on channel 135, and WGVU-Create can be seen on channel 136. For more information on WGVU and a complete list of programming details, go to www.wgvu.org. WGVU-HD is available in the following Counties where Charter is available; Allegan, Ottawa, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Montcalm, and Oceana
Charter Communications, Inc. is a leading broadband communications company and the third-largest publicly traded cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter Digital® video entertainment programming, Charter High-Speed™ Internet access service, and Charter Telephone™ services. Charter Business™ similarly provides scalable, tailored and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, video and music entertainment services and business telephone. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com. |
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