DTV Reps. in Lincoln to Help with Conversion
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 6:01 AM May 16, 2009
DTV Reps. in Lincoln to Help with Conversion
Lincoln
The Federal Communications Commission said the switch to DTV will enhance the viewing experience and provide more free channels, better picture and sound quality, an onscreen program guide and enhanced closed captioning.
Posted: 5:49 AM May 16, 2009
Reporter: KOLN/KGIN
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

10/11 has already made the full switch to digital tv and the rest of the country will follow in a month.

The Federal Communications Commission said the switch to DTV will enhance the viewing experience and provide more free channels, better picture and sound quality, an onscreen program guide and enhanced closed captioning.

Still the switch hasn't come without a hassel for some residents, which is why FCC representative were in Lincoln Friday to help iron out the kinks.

"If you can't come out to talk to us, find someone who has hooked up the box successfully because that's going to be your best person, your best contact for setting up the box yourself. So family, a friend, a relative is going to be the best person to talk to, someone that has experience doing it," said Andrew Nelson, a DTV outreach coordinator.

Nelson said resetting your converter box and scanning your television or converter box is the best option if you can't get a picture.

The Digital Transition
On June 12th, 2009, the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation completes its transition to an all-digital system.

While this change will mark the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it won’t signal the end of free broadcast television, and your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.

Consumers who subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite aren’t likely to be affected by the switch, but if you currently receive analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations.

What You Need to Know
TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.

However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:

  • Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.

  • Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.

  • Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner. Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.