Retailers Anxious Over Analog TV Cut-Off
January 9, 2008 - Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Best Buy Inc.'s chief executive said Tuesday that he is "very nervous" about being able to supply customers with the millions of digital TV converter boxes needed ahead of the shutdown of most analog TV transmissions in 13 months.
"I think it's one of the biggest risks our industry has," vice chairman and CEO Brad Anderson told an industry audience at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Full-power television stations will turn off their analog signal on Feb. 17, 2009, after which they will broadcast in digital only. Viewers who receive their signals through an antenna instead of cable or satellite and don't have a digital-ready TV will have to buy a converter.
The Nielsen Co. estimates that 14.3 million households rely on over-the-air television broadcasts for programming. Still others have sets that receive analog broadcasts as a complement to cable, satellite or digital sets in the same household.
"The number of converter boxes that is going to be required could put tremendous pressure on us to solve all those problems" in a short time, said Anderson.
"We're very nervous about the potential risk. Once it gets turned off, it could be very interesting," he added.
Apart from the supply issue, customer education looms as a problem for the retailers. Speaking on the same panel, Phil Schoonover, the CEO of Circuit City Stores Inc. said Anderson's caution was appropriate. He contrasted the digital TV transition to the introduction of high-definition television sets, which mainly attracted the well-heeled and technically savvy.
"I think it will feel very different in this next round of TVs, because we're through the early adopters," Schoonover said.
At the same time, Schoonover defended the transition as "well thought out," and said it has been handled in a very responsible way.
The airwaves to be vacated by the analog transmissions will be auctioned by the federal government to providers who will use them for wireless broadband services.
Customers are likely to look to specialty electronics stores like Circuit City and Best Buy for guidance ahead of the transition. Steve Eastman, the Target Corp.'s vice president and general merchandising manager for consumer electronics, was less apprehensive about the digital transition.
"From a category standpoint, I think it's great — it's getting people to talk a lot about HD and what technology they have in their home," he said.
But he acknowledged that a lot has to be done to prepare. "The clock's ticking and this is coming very quickly," he said. The company plans to have converter boxes in stores by April.
The converter boxes are expected to cost between $40 and $70. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has begun accepting requests for two $40 coupons per household to be used toward the purchase of the boxes.
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( 3 / 320 )The following article was on our AP Wire this morning in the newsroom...
Low-power TV stations worried about transition to digital broadcasting
By John Dunbar, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Owners of thousands of small television stations that reach rural populations or specialize in community affairs and minority programming are worried the digital transition is going to leave their audiences watching a blank screen.
It's all because of a little-noticed exemption in the congressionally ordered, nationwide migration of the television industry to digital broadcasting.
On Feb. 17, 2009, owners of full-power television stations will turn off their old-technology analog signals and broadcast in digital only. Viewers who receive their signals through an antenna who don't have a digital-ready TV will have to buy a converter box.
But here's the wrinkle: the mandate to go digital applies only to the roughly 1,760 “full-power” stations in the U.S. There are more than 2,900 low-power television stations and about 4,400 signal-relay stations known as “translators” that will not be required to go digital by the deadline.
Those low-power stations provide service to rural areas and to specific communities in urban areas that are not targeted by big broadcasters. Such stations are much cheaper to build, and unlike full-power stations, broadcast almost exclusively to viewers who use antennas to pick up programming.
Translator stations rebroadcast the programming of full-power stations. They serve areas that are too far away from a full-power transmitter, or are cut off from a signal due to mountainous terrain.
So what's the problem?
The government is encouraging over-the-air television viewers to buy a converter box before the digital transition date, and is subsidizing the cost with two $40 coupons per household. The boxes “down-convert” a digital signal to analog, thus allowing older televisions to pick up programming.
If a viewer who watches programming broadcast on a low-power or translator station buys the wrong box, he may be in for a frustrating experience.
Signals from full-power stations will come in fine. But most of the boxes that have been certified for sale will block the low-power signal if it is being broadcast in an analog format.
The situation would become even more frustrating if a set receives signals from both low-power and full-power stations. Digital channels would work with the box, but not without it. Analog channels would work without the box, but not with it.
It is tough to say exactly how many viewers will be affected. Most of the low-power stations are too small or too remote to subscribe to audience rating services like Nielsen. In addition, some low-power stations have already converted to digital broadcasting on their own.
But Amy Brown, executive director of the Community Broadcasters Association, says there are “tens of thousands” of viewers in “every major TV market” who will be affected.
For viewers who want to receive both digital and analog channels, the solution is a converter box that includes a “pass-through” feature. Such a box would convert the digital signal and allow the analog signal to “pass through” to the set unmodified.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which is administering the coupon program, has approved three boxes that will pass through analog signals: the Philco TB150HH9, the Philco TB100HH9 and the ECHOSTAR TR-40.
Brown's organization, which represents low-power television stations, asked the Federal Communications Commission to outlaw boxes that don't have the pass-through feature. Barring that, they are asking for labels to be placed on the converter boxes.
The group has also criticized the NTIA for not requiring electronics makers to include the pass-through feature on their boxes. They are also upset that the NTIA and the FCC have been incorrectly telling the public that all broadcasters will turn off their analog signals in February of 2009.
The NTIA, for example, on its digital transition brochure notes that “after Feb. 17, 2009 all television broadcasts will be digital.”
The NTIA says requiring the pass-through feature in all boxes would have pushed up the cost for those who wouldn't need it. They also were concerned about reports of the feature causing interference on digital channels.
For the owners of low-power stations, the problem raises concerns over public safety, potentially depriving viewers in remote areas of an important information lifeline.
And they say it will affect their bottom line. “If we are cut off from any more of the audience, we're going to go out of business,” said Greg Herman, vice president of technology for the CBA.
---
On the Web:
FCC fact sheet on low-power stations: www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/DTVandLPTV.html
Community Broadcasters Association: www.dtvnow.org
National Translators Association: www.tvfmtranslators.com/
To apply for a coupon for a converter: /www.dtv2009.gov/
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( 3 / 329 )A while back I was praising the folks at RCA for their low cost converter boxes. In specific the RCA model DTA800 desktop converter. Now it's on sale on several web sites, $40 less than originally advertised.
I think we will see this is the coming months. As new models are coming out, the older models will drop in price.
For example, the Sam Sung SIR-T451, which was out two years ago at %275 each, is now under $100! (Hint: check Ebay for some under $50.00.) But back on the RCA converter.
I'm happy to say that the DTA800 converter, pushed in a DTV Facts article "RCA slashes price on DTV converter box" June 25th, 2007 (see Related Link below) seem to be in the winner's circle of converters.
I had the opportunity to test one, on a 30 foot tower on the north end of Lima, and basic VHF/UHF antenna system. I was pulling in all the Toledo and Fort Wayne stations. The antenna system did not have a booster.
It goes without saying that the Lima stations were impressive no matter where the antenna was pointed. So in theory if the homeowner wanted to leave the antenna pointed at Toledo they could get ABC, CBS, Fox, (2) PBS, (2) NBC, The CW, NBC Weather Plus, and (2) independent religious stations. This doesn't include the sub channels of WTVG, WTOL, WNWO, WGTE, and WUPW, nor does it count the Fort Wayne stations we could get. Quite a bouquet of stations, and no monthly cable fee!
Obviously it's important to get a decent converter, or make sure that the digital TV you purchase has a good tuner. But I really think that the antenna has a lot to do with superior reception. The one thing to consider is that unlike analog, if you capture the digital signal you have clean and perfect picture.
Bad converters? Stay away from the "Viewers Choice" converter. It had problems picking up the Fort Wayne DTV stations, while all other converters worked perfectly. Luckily, I've not seen any of these at local stores, but they are being sold on the web.
Frederick R. Vobbe
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( 3 / 314 )The following was noted on the Broadcasting and Cable web site ...
NTIA Still Bombarded by Converter-Box Coupon Requests
National Telecommunications & Information Administration: 850,000 Requests for More than 1.6M Coupons as of 2 p.m. Thursday
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/3/2008 5:24:00 PM
Requests for digital-TV-to-analog converter-box coupons continued to pour in at the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.
At last count (2 p.m. Thursday), the total was 850,000 requests for more than 1.6 million coupons. Almost three-quarters of those requests were via the Internet (633,000), with almost all of the rest via phone.
The NTIA plans to unveil the coupons and provide an updated total Monday at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It will not begin mailing them out until Feb. 17, however -- exactly one year before the switch to digital TV and enough time for retailers to make sure that they have the boxes on the shelves.
The NTIA will send two coupons per household to any eligible household -- P.O. boxes do not qualify, for example -- until it has handed out 22.25 million. After that, households will have to prove that their TV service is over-the-air-only to qualify for the last 11.25 million.
Part of the problem has been the abrupt departure of John Kneuer from the NTIA. Although Meredith Atwell-Baker has been trying to salvage the program, it's still going to be e problem for many consumer.
Quoting Broadcasting & Cable Magazine from December 31, 2007, "The coupon program begins officially on January 1, but NTIA won't even start mailing out the coupons until February 17th. That's exactly one year before the last day of analog transmission. U.S. television goes all-digital on February 18, 2009."
So what do viewers need to know?
They need to know that between January 1st and March 31st, households can apply for (2) $40.00 coupons online at www.dtv2009.gov, that they can apply by telephone at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-800-388-2009), and that they can apply by mail.
Frederick R. Vobbe,
VP/CO WLIO Television
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( 2.9 / 321 )Mixed signals are being received by the WLIO Engineering department on the converter coupons.
What we have heard that the NTIA and other government agencies are not yet ready for the public to start the coupon process. Everything that I have heard is that they are shooting for February 2008 to start the process.
In fact, yesterday I spoke with a TV antenna installer who said that he had a conversation with a staffer at the NTIA who said that they "are not ready". Further, in the discussions, they identified three of the converters in the consumer list which are now no longer manufactured.
However, in the January 4th CGC Communicator, (issue #823), was the following ...
DTV-TO-NTSC CONVERTER BOX COUPONS AVAILABLE NOW
A fast and easy way to apply for one or two government- issued coupons worth $40 each to purchase DTV=to-NTSC converter boxes (assuming you qualify) is to call this automated government hotline number: (888) 388-2009 (388 stands for DTV). The voice recognition software worked flawlessly when we requested two coupons earlier this week.
A CGC Communicator reader indicates that he had equally good success in using the Web-based sign-up method described in the first URL below.
By the way, people have been flooding the government with requests for DTV converter-box coupons. More than 500,000 people requested more than 1 million $40 coupons in the first 40 or so hours of the program, according to NTIA spokesman Todd Sedmak (second URL). If the pace continues, all currently funded coupons will be gone by late February.
http://tinyurl.com/yosqc2
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6516388.html
For now, my advice is for the public to tread carefully. While the converter is "free", it comes with the paper burden and the waiting and time consuming follow up. You may find that your time is worth something, and just buy a converter. You can always use the free converters in the kids room later in the year.
A copy of an article in the January 1, 2008 Toledo Blade appears in the related link.
Frederick Vobbe
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( 3 / 301 )Congress has mandated that after February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcast stations must transmit only digital signals and may no longer transmit analog signals.
With the FCC's Report and Order and third periodic review, they resolved issues necessary to complete the conversion of the nation’s broadcast television system from analog to digital television (“DTV”).
With the DTV transition deadline less than 14 months away, the FCC's focus is now on overseeing broadcasters’ construction of facilities that will reach viewers in their authorized service areas by the time they must cease broadcasting in analog.
As a side note, WLIO-DT now reaches to all areas covered by our analog station, WLIO channel 35, and then some. Reception reports from as far away as Bryan OH, East Liberty OH, and Berne IN are coming in.
The FCC's document can be found here ...
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -228A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -228A2.xls
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -228A3.xls
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( 3 / 326 )Since many people are now looking at outside TV antennas, and looking to receive distant stations, perhaps it's a good time to look at antennas.
The antennas you see above are the type used for receiving a UHF television station. While this type of antenna will work good for WLIO analog (channel 35), it would probably not work good for reception of WLIO-DT on channel 8.
The reason is that the antenna above is designed for UHF operation, channels 14 to 52. (471.250 MHz to 699.250 MHz). The VHF band is much lower in frequency, and the VHF band is divided into two segments.
Low Band VHF channels 2 to 6 starts at 55.250 MHz and ends up at 83.250 MHZ, (slightly lower than the FM radio band).
High Band VHF channels 7 to 13 starts at 175.250 MHz and runs to 211.250 MHz. WLIO-DT operates on channel 8, or 181.250 MHz.
If you want to receive WLIO-DT plus other stations in Fort Wayne, or Toledo, you'll likely have to install an antenna system like this.
The top antenna would be the UHF antenna for stations in Fort Wayne, or Toledo. The bottom antenna is for receiving WLIO-DT, as well as other VHF DTV stations. (It can also be used to enhance your FM radio reception from distant cities).
The both antennas will have 75-ohm cables (shown in red), to a VHF/UHF combiner (shown in green), and the output of the combiner (shown in blue), goes down to the TV set.
A medium size VHF antenna would be sufficient for reception of WLIO-DT within the 10 county area. The larger UHF antenna, at a height of 50 feet should receive [u]all[/u] the Toledo and Fort Wayne stations.
A quick couple of pointers on UHF reception,
- UHF signals are subject to high losses if the antenna is low to the ground.
- If the installer uses cheap wire or installs the system improperly you can experience bad reception.
- Don't get talked into using a small antenna with cheap wiring, and then get a "booster" or "amplifier" to overcome the lack of proper signal. In many cases, with a good, large UHF antenna, you don't need a booster.
- Always ground your antenna properly. Safety first.
- Hire a reputable dealer to install your antenna, unless you know how to do it. The quality of your antenna system will only be as good as the materials and labor used.
As a rule of thumb, you should get a decade of good use out of an antenna with normal preventative maintenance. Some people are still using antennas from the 1960s because they did it right!
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( 3 / 373 )PART 76 AMENDED RE CABLE CARRIAGE OF DTV SIGNALS
The FCC has adopted Rules to ensure that all cable customers will receive local TV stations after the digital television (DTV) transition occurs on February 17, 2009:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -170A1.doc
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( 3 / 413 )The NTIA has given the go-ahead for a mid-February sales launch of DTV converter boxes at eight retail giants, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart and Wal-Mart, and more than 100 electronics specialty shops. Beginning Jan. 1, consumers who rely on an antenna to receive their TV signals can receive two DTV coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of converter boxes, according to acting NTIA administrator Meredith Attwell Baker.
For more information;
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/
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( 3 / 384 )Welcome to the web page of the WLIO Engineering department.
The WLIO engineering department is responsible for getting the programs on the air, operation of our transmission system, and maintenance on equipment and systems at WLIO.
While we are a small market station, you will find that our facility is quite up to date and modern. In fact, visitors remark on how well-kept our facility is as well as the efficiency of the operations. Our engineering team is made up of many individuals with a wide array of knowledge. Several employees have well over 20 years of employement at WLIO!
I hope you find our site of interest. Be sure to check out the history section, and if you have something to add please contact our curator.
Frederick R. Vobbe W8HDU
Vice President, Chief Operator
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