Our Long National Nightmare Is Over (or is it just beginning?)

And by that, I mean the "Digital Transition."

This doesn't mean YOUR problems are over -- if you watch using a converter box or digital television set, you already know the signals are very unstable, your picture may pixilate or freeze, and you want to throw anything you have within reach at your television set.

(The cable companies must be loving this...)

The first thing you need to remember if you have a digital TV or converter box with an antenna, is RESCAN. Find your manual if you don't do this often and have it ready.

On Friday, June 12, many stations will move to new digital frequencies, and even if you've been watching them before, you won't be able to see them after without rescanning. (In Michigan, do this after 10:30 a.m.; other states, I don't know.)

Here are some things to keep in mind as you are trying to decide whether or not to order cable or a dish because you are so frustrated.

First, the antenna is key and antennas age. If you think you should be getting a station and it's not coming in, adjust your antenna toward that station's signal and rescan. If it's still not working, you may need a more powerful antenna (outdoor recommended; indoor can work within certain ranges).

The best website for help that points to your location specifically is antennaweb.org -- put in your address and it will say the type of antenna you need (rooftop, indoor, etc.). When you hit "street map" it shows how you should direct your antenna for best reception.

Remember, many public television stations now can have up to four separate channels.

MOST cable and satellite companies do not carry all four channels. Some cable companies do, on the digital tier (but not on expanded basic). These channels are offered free to all providers by local PBS stations. If you don't receive them and want them, ask your provider.

Quite often, as I mentioned, your picture on a digital set/box with antenna will freeze or pixilate. (Interestingly, I am noticing this on cable, too.)

The pixel problem, unfortunately, is almost a given, and not a happy one.

For example, I get all the channels, and on any given day, something can happen to cause them to pixilate. Among the problems — Gypsy too close to the TV or antenna; rain or funky weather; birds (don't laugh; our engineer tells me this is true); tree leaves (also don't laugh — we're getting a TON of calls about that this week. Tree leaves. Who knew? And boy, do I feel stupid telling people that).

I'm beginning to suspect alien beings are probably part of the equation, too. Everything else seems to be!

Digital signals are very unstable. Generally, if you get in a channel pretty well and you don't adjust the antenna, you're probably good until something external interferes (most generally weather). If you have an outdoor antenna, sometimes wind can knock it a bit off course and you're still getting it — just not well.

For whatever reason, Rick (who lives two blocks from me) can't get WKAR since we changed his antenna (because he couldn't get 10.) He and I both have indoor antennas. It took me a LONG time to get 10 after they changed their stuff in February.

If you watch TV using an indoor antenna, I do have two articles I can e-mail you, but unfortunately not until after June 29. Just send me an e-mail and I'll handle it when I get back.

Your own local public television station is probably similar to WKAR in posting much information on their local website. You are free to visit ours for frequently asked questions, links, etc., or e-mail me with questions.

Good luck. May the force be with you.

Tell Me Why

Please tell me why the Congress does this (from a NYTimes article):

"Despite intense lobbying by governors, the final deal slashed $35 billion from a proposed state fiscal stabilization fund, eliminated $16 billion in aid for school construction and sharply curtailed health care subsidies for the unemployed.

In driving down the total cost of the stimulus bill — from $838 billion approved by the Senate and $820 by the House — legislators also sharply reduced proposed tax incentives for buyers of homes and cars that held huge public appeal. Senator [Susan] Collins said getting the final number to under $800 billion was more than symbolic; it meant “a fiscally responsible number,” she said."

AND YET kept in $650 million (I believe it was all kept) so people can buy converter boxes to watch TV.

A brief soap box: I know, TV is considered a "right" and I love it as much as anyone -- I have to; -- I work for a television station. And yes, I know, people are having trouble making ends meet, much less buying a $60 box to watch something they could always see for free. But my compassion is wearing thin. This has been going on for more than a year. People had time to get the boxes or save their pennies.

I don't know the government should have subsidized this to begin with when you think about all the other things going on that really need attention. Withholding services to the poor and unemployed, including health care so people can watch television? I am embarrassed our elected officials would even think that.

Get over it, world. We have a national debt crisis going on.

And we wonder why we have national debt.

End of Rant.

DTV and YOU (and me, too.)

Frazzle Dazzle.

(I didn't make this cute pin, but I've been wearing it a lot -- it represents how I feel about digital television!)

I have been more than a bit frantic this week. As I mentioned in an earlier post, WKAR turns off its analog signal next week, and we’re getting calls and e-mails about reception problems almost faster than we can handle them. All this and other deadlines (like a magazine with press deadlines and preparing for a conference next week) is making me a little frazzled!

Wednesday, we did a live digital call-in show, which I’m co-hosted with my buddy Matt Ottinger of QuizBusters, our local game show. Matt’s fun and it was a great time!


We interviewed engineers who explained what was happening and included demos on setting up converter boxes, VCRs with the box, and scanning.

My biggest concern was deciding which clothes will would help me look best (meaning thinner). And getting the make-up right.

We'll be putting it on our YouTube site soon. There’s lots of good information relevant for people anywhere dealing with the digital transition. I’ll let you know when it goes up.

Meanwhile, it was the start of zoo-time. The phones were ringing off the hook for well over an hour. I don't know how many questions were answered, but we split up the call-backs and I had 35.

That doesn't count the more-than-35 calls that came to my voice mail and tons of e-mails, all about digital, receptions, and coupons.

Speaking of which, the program funding coupons ran out of money. Waiting list only. There is talk of moving the digital date, but we're still planning on turning off our signal next week -- work to do to get us ready for a frequency switch, plus saving viewer dollars on electricity.

So, no digital television set or converter box (or cable or satellite), no TV.

People are mad. Like we haven't been talking about this -- A LOT -- for the past six or more months? (FCC required all stations to air announcements at great frequency; if you watch telly, you can't miss it, and if you don't, you don't care!)

If you will need a converter box or know someone who does – bad news. The national government program providing discount coupons has run out of money and are only taking names on a waiting list. It’s important for anyone who ordered coupons before but didn’t use them to pass them on to someone who needs them. Pass the word.

I know to lots of people, all this buzz seems more like Y2K. But I’m answering emails and phone calls everyday, along with doing presentations. People are having problems all over. So, if you know how to hook up a cable or turn a telly around so that someone unable to do so can get the box hooked up, please help!

Right now my mind is overflowing with things I want to write, create, knit and do. (Not to mention getting down Christmas.) So, I may just have very brief or photo posts for a day or two. I’ll be back!

Are You Ready for Digital TV?

Nationally, the digital television switch-over date is February 17, 2009. Some stations (including mine) are shutting off their analog signal prior to that date. If you have cable or satellite on all your televisions, you probably don't need to read this post -- unless you have friends that might need your help.

Basically, the digital transition nationally is a mess. Converter boxes are available and fairly standard, but unless you have the right antenna, many of the viewers in our area (and I answer all their questions and e-mail) are having trouble with signal break-up, and we hear that is nationwide.

With digital, you don't get "snow" -- you get picture or no picture (possibly with some extremely annoying pixilation as the signal dies.)

Anything can get in the way of the signal and make a difference -- wind, birds, tall buildings, interference from cell phone signals. We find that people who could watch our analog channel can't receive our digital channel, and until we have a power increase from the FCC, they'll be in trouble, though a taller antenna might help.

Antenna. That's the word and the thing that can make the most difference. If you watch over the air and get a converter box, try your original antenna first... even if it's rabbit ears. If it doesn't work, check antennaweb.org (link on my media links at the right) and see what they recommend for your location.
Remember, time is of the essence. It takes about a month for converter box discount coupons to arrive (valued at $40 off; you may get two). If your antenna isn't adequate, you'll need to make arrangements to upgrade and as we get into winter, those living in the north will find it may be pricier for installation.

How can you help others?

Make sure your friends and neighbors are not only aware of this, but have taken action, either by getting a converter box, digital TV or subscribed to a pay service.

Help people hook up their converter boxes to their sets. I talk to a lot of senior groups -- this is particularly challenging for those with arthritic hands, unable to turn their television set around to the back for the hook up, or visually challenged and not able to see which spot to insert the cables. It's not hard to do at all, but if you can't see or wiggle fingers or move furniture, it's pretty tough.

If you don't need a coupon, you can order a coupon for others. Some people without services may have multiple televisions and need more than two coupons. (You might even need one for the basement or kitchen set.)

Remind your friends that coupons have a 90-day expiration date. Take it from me, who didn't use her second coupon in time -- they don't make exceptions!

Check out my Media links at the left. WKAR's digital guy pages include some frequently asked questions, you can order your coupon, check out antennas and Crutchfield Advisor has some very good articles.

If you have any questions, e-mail me or include your e-mail address in your comment. I'll try to help troubleshoot with you. (I may be sorry I suggested that, but go ahead!)

And now I don't feel so guilty for blogging at work!

Do You Do Digital?

No, not digital photography. I mean, are you ready for the digital television conversion?

OK, I work at a TV station and I’m supposed to be all excited about this. Great pictures! Unparalleled images! Multicasting! More stations without cable for free!

At the risk of having anyone I work with read this, let me give you my own assessment of the digital transition.

It stinks.

Stinks would not be my preferred word. You don’t want to know my preferred word.

For several months I have been answering questions addressed to the station’s “Digital Guy” (who is an actor, although when I’m answering the questions, I’m using my acting skills too, because I haven’t got a whole lot of clues about what I’m writing. It’s like my seven years as a bookkeeper when I didn’t even balance my checkbook. You don’t want to know…)




In other words, I’m not the Digital Guy, but I play him online.

Anyway, this weekend, I got my converter box for home. Actually, this is a picture of the box from online. My box is white. I don't like it. I wish I bought a brown one, but you couldn't tell from the outside of the box, and I went to four stores to find one.



You will need a converter box for any television set not hooked up to cable. I had just hauled up an old 13-inch telly from the basement for the art space. My coupon arrived (more on this later) and I was excited about hooking it up.


So, hook I did. Antenna into converter box. Box into telly. Two remotes (like I don’t have enough to lose).

Let me say that this is an OLD telly and most of the time it doesn’t work. When (and the operative term here is “when”) I get a picture – it’s fabulous. Score one for digital.

And WHEN the stations work, I get all four WKAR channels (we multicast) as well as two other stations. Better than before.

Having said that, the stations come in and out based on the whimsy of not only where you are located and where your antenna is directed (which isn’t as easy at it seems) but also whether leaves are blowing, the Gypsy is walking by the rabbit ears, or it’s Sunday. (Or Monday, or…)

Maybe if the antenna was on the roof (I don’t get on the ladder, much less the roof) or it was somewhere else, it would be better.

Oh, yes, and signal strength isn’t as strong as analog, so even if you can watch a station now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can watch with the same clarity or at all when you go digital.

AND, when you lose a signal, you don’t get snow so you can follow along. It either stops, pixilates or goes blank. So, if you’re like me and you just sort of want to follow while doing something else, you may not be able to.

Here are the basics you need to know if you are into television, even remotely (no pun intended).
To watch TV after February 17, 2009, you will need to do one of the following options: Order satellite, order cable or have a converter box. You need a box for anything not hooked up to one of the above. You can order a coupon for $40 off at this site, and they take about a month to arrive and must be used in 90 days.

Second, you need an antenna.

Sometimes rabbit ears will work (I’m told). You can find out more about antennas here.

Third, you will need to adjust the antenna everytime you want to watch something different. Which may be OK.

Hooking up is easy – antenna to box (plugged in) and box to TV.

You will also want a hammer. This is for beating the television into small parts you can throw out easily or divvy up for recycling – if you can find anyone who recycles televisions and doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege.

Or, you can go back to cable.

'Nuf said. Now, I’d best go back to answering digital guy questions and telling people why they aren’t getting us.