Analog to Digital Television Transition

Government Mandate Implementation started with first wave of digital stations on-air November 1999 Implementation started with first wave of digital stations on-air November 1999 Affects all full power television stations Affects all full power television stations Full power analog television broadcast must cease February 17, :59:59 PM Full power analog television broadcast must cease February 17, :59:59 PM Low power television and translators are not affected Low power television and translators are not affected

WHY????????? Current television stations broadcast on channels 2-69 Current television stations broadcast on channels 2-69 Each channel takes up 6Mhz of spectrum Each channel takes up 6Mhz of spectrum Only 1 program can be broadcast on an analog channel Only 1 program can be broadcast on an analog channel More spectrum needed for public service communications More spectrum needed for public service communications

Whats Gained Multiple programs can be broadcast on a digital channel Multiple programs can be broadcast on a digital channel More programs in the same amount of spectrum More programs in the same amount of spectrum Better quality pictures and sound Better quality pictures and sound Digital television will broadcast on channels 2-51 which frees up18 channels for other use Digital television will broadcast on channels 2-51 which frees up18 channels for other use These channels can be broken down into many smaller pieces and auctioned off to the highest bidder…. Government makes money These channels can be broken down into many smaller pieces and auctioned off to the highest bidder…. Government makes money Some spectrum will be used for public safety Some spectrum will be used for public safety

Whats It Mean All analog TVs that receive OTA signals will quit working. All analog TVs that receive OTA signals will quit working. Unless: Unless: –Connected to a digital converter box –Connected to Cable TV (not MATV) –Connected to Satellite with local into local Cable is required to maintain analog delivery and gradually phase it out. Cable is required to maintain analog delivery and gradually phase it out.

Government Sponsored Converter Boxes Congress created a program to provide two coupons to all U.S. households wishing to continue using existing analog TVs with OTA antennas. The coupons are worth $40 each and can be used towards the purchase of qualified converters. Congress created a program to provide two coupons to all U.S. households wishing to continue using existing analog TVs with OTA antennas. The coupons are worth $40 each and can be used towards the purchase of qualified converters.

Converter Box Coupons Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial (English/TTY) or (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial (English/TTY) or (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Download a Coupon Download a Coupon

Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline DTV-2009 ( ). Call the Coupon Program 24-hour hotline DTV-2009 ( ). Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR Fax a coupon application to DTV- 4ME2 ( ) Mail a coupon application to: PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR Fax a coupon application to DTV- 4ME2 ( )

Digital TV's All digital sets manufactured today must be capable of receiving ATSC broadcasts. All digital sets manufactured today must be capable of receiving ATSC broadcasts. Some early sets had digital processing but are not ATSC compatible. Some early sets had digital processing but are not ATSC compatible. Check your owners manual to be sure. Check your owners manual to be sure.

As The Transition Occurs Stations can transition early Stations can transition early Some stations will be changing channels, when they do converter boxes and digital sets will have to be re-scanned Some stations will be changing channels, when they do converter boxes and digital sets will have to be re-scanned Broadcasters, Cable and Satellite operators will have to work closely together to make it a smooth transition Broadcasters, Cable and Satellite operators will have to work closely together to make it a smooth transition

Closed Captioning

CC Must Work Closed Captioning rules still apply after the transition for the PRIMARY digital channel. They DO NOT ALWAYS apply for sub- channels but will be phased in Closed Captioning rules still apply after the transition for the PRIMARY digital channel. They DO NOT ALWAYS apply for sub- channels but will be phased in Aspect ratio conversion can cause problems with CC Aspect ratio conversion can cause problems with CC Improper connection / setup between STB and TV can cause problems as well Improper connection / setup between STB and TV can cause problems as well

The Life of CC Data External Programs Captions are added by program provider Captions are added by program provider Transmitted up to satellite Transmitted up to satellite Downlink at station, recorded, playback and later rebroadcast over the air Downlink at station, recorded, playback and later rebroadcast over the air Received by cable system and rebroadcast to the cabled home Received by cable system and rebroadcast to the cabled home

Closed Captioning Data The top image is a shot of first generation CC data. The top image is a shot of first generation CC data. The bottom image is the same data after broadcast with errors. The bottom image is the same data after broadcast with errors.

IF You Experience CC Problems Check other channels Check other channels Check another TV set Check another TV set Call a friend and ask them to check the same program Call a friend and ask them to check the same program If you cant solve the problem and contact the station be prepared to provide the following info: If you cant solve the problem and contact the station be prepared to provide the following info:

Is the problem just on this program or channel? Is the problem just on this program or channel? Analog or Digital? Analog or Digital? Is it on all sets? Is it on all sets? Are you watching OTA, on Cable or Satellite? Which provider? Are you watching OTA, on Cable or Satellite? Which provider? The more info you can provide the better ! The more info you can provide the better !

WFLA Contact Info Mark Schaefer

FCC Contact Info Toll-Free: (866) (Voice) or (866) (TTY) Toll-Free: (866) (Voice) or (866) (TTY) Fax: (202) Fax: (202)

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