DTV:  Congress Could Vote Next Week to Delay the Switch to Digital TV

Congress appears on the verge of doing again what it does best:  delay.

And this time, the delay involves DTV and the long-scheduled, much-publicized switch from analog to digital TV broadcasting.

The U.S. Senate is set to vote next week (the week of January 26th) on the DTV Delay Act.  It would postpone the switch to digital from February 17 until June 12.  Many in Congress believe millions of households need the extra time to get ready for the switch, plus the DTV coupon program could be put back on track (it ran out of money early this month).

But the delay isn’t a done deal.  And until it is, we need to assume the original February 17 target date still has the green light.

That said, here is basic information about DTV that I hope will help you.
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Just before midnight on Tuesday, February 17 (in the middle of “The Late Show with David Letterman”), News Channel 7 and all other full-power television stations will stop broadcasting their signals in analog and will broadcast in digital only (DTV).

The switch was mandated by Congress in 2005.  You will notice much improved quality in your tv picture and sound.  The switch will also open the analog broadcast band to emergency services and private business, so there is a public safety benefit to the switch as well.

There is talk in Washington, D.C. of possibly delaying the February 17 switch due to concerns over the public’s preparedness, including the DTV coupon program.  Funds for that program have run out, and until Congress approves more money, pending coupon requests are on a waiting list.

Unless and until a delay is approved, you need to assume the February 17 date will stand and do everything necessary to be ready for DTV.

First, are you affected by the change?  Only those television viewers who receive their signal via an antenna (set-top “rabbit ears” or an outdoor antenna) and have an older-model (analog) television set that does not have a built-in digital tuner need to be concerned about DTV.  The Federal Communications Commission estimates there are approximately 100,000 households affected in the Upstate of South Carolina and 250,000 statewide.

If you receive your television signal via cable or satellite, or if your television set is relatively new and has a built-in digital tuner, you have nothing to worry about, and you don’t need to take any action.

Everyone else has an important decision to make in order to continue receiving a television picture after February 17.  Here are your three options, and you need to choose one of them:

1.  Purchase a DTV converter box, available at any store selling televisions.  The box will convert the digital signal back to analog so your old-style television set can see the signal.  Depending on the brand you buy, the box will cost between $50-$70.  Government coupons are available (two per household) that will save you $40 on a converter box, but as mentioned above, the coupon program is out of money, and applicants are being put on a waiting list until Congress takes action (note you can ask relatives, neighbors and friends if they have a spare coupon, and it’s perfectly okay for you to use it.  Just make sure it has not expired.  The coupons are good for 90 days).

(Or) 2.  Sign up for cable or satellite.  These customers do not have to worry about DTV.

(Or) 3.  Purchase a new television set that has a digital tuner built in.  Digital sets are able to receive the digital broadcast signal, so you don’t need to buy a converter box.

If you have already bought a converter box but haven’t hooked it up yet, please do so right away so you can get used to the equipment and troubleshoot any problems.  The digital channels are available right now, so go ahead and enjoy them (News Channel 7’s digital channel is 7.1, and our 24-hour weather channel is 7.2).

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ANTENNAS:  The digital television signals are on the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band, which includes channels 14 and up.  Make sure your antenna has the UHF feature, or you won’t see the digital channels.  News Channel 7 and some other local stations will put their digital signals on their normal channels (in WSPA-TV’s case, channel 7) after the February 17 conversion takes place.

If you wish to sign up for a DTV coupon, either call 1-888-388-2009 or visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.  News Channel 7 links to DTV information are available at http://www.wspa.com, and use the keyword DTV.

Feel free to call us at News Channel 7 if you have a DTV question.  Ask for a member of the engineering staff at 864-576-7777.

We hope you enjoy the terrific picture and sound of DTV!