Confusion expected as analog TV broadcasts end

Local News

Discussion

June 12, 2009

PETER SVENSSON The Daily Independent Fri Jun 12, 2009, 08:31 AM EDT

NEW YORK — Starting in the morning and going into the night, TV stations across the U.S. are cutting their analog signals Friday, ending a six-decade era for the technology and likely stranding more than 1 million unprepared homes without TV service.

The Federal Communications Commission put 4,000 operators on standby for calls from confused viewers, and set up demonstration centers in several cities. Volunteer groups and local government agencies were helping elderly viewers set up digital converter boxes that keep older TVs functioning.

"When you're alone like me, that's my partner," Patricia Bruchalski, 82, said about her TV.

Bruchalski, a pianist and former opera singer who lives in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, got assistance Thursday from Anne Arundel County's Department of Aging and Disabilities and a community organization called Partners in Care. After her converter box was installed, Bruchalski marveled that digital broadcasts seemed clearer and gave her more channels — about 15 instead of the three she was used to.

"You're going to be up all night watching TV now," volunteer installer Rick Ebling told her.

A survey sponsored by broadcasters showed that Americans are well aware of the analog shutdown, thanks to a yearlong barrage of TV ads. But not everyone was sure exactly what it means, or what needs to be done to tune in to digital TV.

Any sets hooked up to cable or satellite feeds are unaffected. Newer, digital TVs that get broadcasts through antennas — and older sets hooked up to converter boxes — should be fine, but they will need to be set to "re-scan" the airwaves, to find stations that move to new frequencies Friday.

Some people might also need new antennas, because digital signals travel differently than analog ones. While an analog station that came in imperfectly might have had static but remained viewable, digital generally comes in all or nothing. Indeed, one of Bruchalski's newly available stations looked pixelated, and Ebling said she might have to get a different antenna.

The shutdown of analog channels frees up the airwaves for modern applications like wireless broadband and TV services for cell phones. It was originally scheduled for Feb. 17, but the government's fund for $40 converter box coupons ran out of money in early January, prompting the incoming Obama administration to push for a delay. The converter box program got additional funding in the national stimulus package.

Research firm SmithGeiger LLC said Thursday that about 2.2 million households were still unprepared as of last week. Sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters, it surveyed 948 households that relied on antennas and found that 1 in 8 had not connected a digital TV or digital converter box.

Nielsen Co., which measures TV ratings with the help of a wide panel of households, put the number of unready homes at 2.8 million, or 2.5 percent of the total television market, as of Sunday. In February, the number was 5.8 million.

Nearly half of the nation's 1,760 full-power TV stations have already cut their analog signals, though they are mostly in less populated areas.

Even after Friday, low-power analog stations and rural relay stations known as "translators" will still be available in some areas. And about 100 full-power stations will keep an analog "night light" on for a few weeks, informing viewers of the need to switch to digital reception.

Text Only

Local News

Business touts better living
Yvette Pennington is a true believer in the power of living better as we live longer.

February 8, 2012
Police beat: 2/9/12
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:

February 8, 2012
Safe Harbor benefits from Shop and Share Day
Shop and Share Day brought a record number of donations to Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky.

February 8, 2012
Local briefs: 2/9/12
For the fifth year in a row, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has given the Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Center funding to support the Hands of Hope grant program.

February 8, 2012
Judge's ruling paralyzes General Assembly
Confusion reigns in the wake a judge’s ruling that state redistricting maps passed by the General Assembly are unconstitutional. That ruling says until the legislature offers a plan which meets constitutional muster, 2012 candidates for the legislature must run in the districts drawn 10 years ago.

February 8, 2012
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Search for new ACTC president to begin soon
A national search will begin soon to replace Ashland Community and Technical College President Gregory D. Adkins, who is retiring.

February 8, 2012
Red Tails recommended
With sincere appreciation to their hosts, local military veterans whose service spanned World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan gathered at Kyova 10 Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a screening of the film “Red Tails.”

February 8, 2012
More updates coming to Boyd jail
While a nonfunctional fire alarm system has been fixed, the Boyd County Detention Center is now dealing with problems in another of its security systems.

February 8, 2012
APD probes early morning stabbing
Ashland police are investigating a stabbing in the area of 30th Street and Greenup Avenue early Tuesday morning.

February 7, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

Confusion expected as analog TV broadcasts end

Site Map

Contact Us