Still Confusion About DTV Conversion

Well it looks like February analog shutdown will not take place. Nevertheless, the local stations have been doing everything possible to try to assist those who may not be ready for change in over-the-air delivery of TV if it happens next month or this summer. A few days ago I participated with representatives from all the local stations in a test. As part of that test, individuals with questions could call into a phone bank that we were hosting at the CET studios. While there were many different questions, several seemed to be more prevalent than others.

Many people are still confused about waiting until February 18th to turn on their converters. THERE IS NO REASON TO WAIT. Not only can you get all your favorite programming that is available on the local stations’ analog channels, there are several digital–only channels now available. You will find 24 hour weather information on some commercial stations, a how-to channel from CET and even a special channel featuring coverage of the Ohio legislature. They are all available now free. All you need is a digital TV or a DTV set top converter for your old TV set.

Many people with new digital high definition (HD) sets have not set them up properly to actually get HD. These new sets, just like DTV converters, need to be set up when you first turn them on. Read the instructions. The local DTV channels must be scanned in. If you just plug in the set and don’t set it up properly, you may only get the analog channels even though you have a new digital set. Since in most cases on a new digital set the analog picture looks so much better than was possible on the old analog-only set, people are so delighted that that don’t realize that they are not seeing and enjoying real digital HD and don’t bother to really learn about controlling the new set. A good hint…if you have a new DTV set and you see any snow, shadows or ghosts on the screen, you are NOT watching a digital channel. You need an antenna (indoor or outdoor) that can receive both UHF and VHF channels. This does not need to be an expensive one. My tests show that a $15 set top “rabbit ears” model is fine for the majority of viewers in our area. Also don’t immediately go for an “amplified” or “powered” antenna. With digital technology sometimes too much signal is as bad as not enough.

If you have questions about DTV or any other consumer electronics technology, just send me an email.

Still Confusion About DTV Conversion

Well it looks like February analog shutdown will not take place. Nevertheless, the local stations have been doing everything possible to try to assist those who may not be ready for change in over-the-air delivery of TV if it happens next month or this summer. A few days ago I participated with representatives from all the local stations in a test. As part of that test, individuals with questions could call into a phone bank that we were hosting at the CET studios. While there were many different questions, several seemed to be more prevalent than others.

Many people are still confused about waiting until February 18th to turn on their converters. THERE IS NO REASON TO WAIT. Not only can you get all your favorite programming that is available on the local stations’ analog channels, there are several digital–only channels now available. You will find 24 hour weather information on some commercial stations, a how-to channel from CET and even a special channel featuring coverage of the Ohio legislature. They are all available now free. All you need is a digital TV or a DTV set top converter for your old TV set.

Many people with new digital high definition (HD) sets have not set them up properly to actually get HD. These new sets, just like DTV converters, need to be set up when you first turn them on. Read the instructions. The local DTV channels must be scanned in. If you just plug in the set and don’t set it up properly, you may only get the analog channels even though you have a new digital set. Since in most cases on a new digital set the analog picture looks so much better than was possible on the old analog-only set, people are so delighted that that don’t realize that they are not seeing and enjoying real digital HD and don’t bother to really learn about controlling the new set. A good hint…if you have a new DTV set and you see any snow, shadows or ghosts on the screen, you are NOT watching a digital channel. You need an antenna (indoor or outdoor) that can receive both UHF and VHF channels. This does not need to be an expensive one. My tests show that a $15 set top “rabbit ears” model is fine for the majority of viewers in our area. Also don’t immediately go for an “amplified” or “powered” antenna. With digital technology sometimes too much signal is as bad as not enough.

If you have questions about DTV or any other consumer electronics technology, just send me an email.

CAll IN YOUR DTV QUESTIONS

If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area you can tune in tomorrow, Wednesday evening for a special program on CET TV called “DTV, Ask US.” It is your chance to ask questions and get some good unbiased information about the digital transition.

So if you are wondering about getting a new set or what type of DTV converter works best, tune in.

We will have a phone bank of experts and I will be joined live in the studio by Neal Schmidt. Neal heads up CET’s Engineering Department. He and his colleagues have a wealth of good information.

I promise that we will give good advice and information you can use and we will do it in simple non-technical language.

That is Wednesday, June 18 from 8:00 - 8:30 PM on CET. If you miss it, you can watch it on demand at www.cetconnect.com beginning Thursday morning. Tell a neighbor.

Phones will be open beginning at 6:00 PM for your calls to 800-808-0445. Note this number is only good from 6 to 9 PM. You can use 513-345-6512 any other time for your technical questions.

CAll IN YOUR DTV QUESTIONS

If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area you can tune in tomorrow, Wednesday evening for a special program on CET TV called “DTV, Ask US.” It is your chance to ask questions and get some good unbiased information about the digital transition.

So if you are wondering about getting a new set or what type of DTV converter works best, tune in.

We will have a phone bank of experts and I will be joined live in the studio by Neal Schmidt. Neal heads up CET’s Engineering Department. He and his colleagues have a wealth of good information.

I promise that we will give good advice and information you can use and we will do it in simple non-technical language.

That is Wednesday, June 18 from 8:00 - 8:30 PM on CET. If you miss it, you can watch it on demand at www.cetconnect.com beginning Thursday morning. Tell a neighbor.

Phones will be open beginning at 6:00 PM for your calls to 800-808-0445. Note this number is only good from 6 to 9 PM. You can use 513-345-6512 any other time for your technical questions.

TV Anytime & Anywhere

Over the past nine months or so I have been involved on a national committee looking at systems for providing video programming to mobile and hand held devices. Representatives from the major broadcast groups and other industry leaders have been examining how the new digital broadcast system can be used for more applications than only that new HD TV set in the family room.

You would have to be living on a deserted island not to be aware that the world of communications has gone mobile. More and more young people don’t even have a hard- wired phone line, choosing instead the flexibility and convenience of the cell phone. The Black Berry®, or one of the myriad of similar portable communication/assistant devices, has replaced the red “power tie” in corporate conference rooms large and small. So it is only logical that TV programming too will migrate to an untethered universe.

There are already some nascent video services being provided for viewing on cell phones. Verizon® and others offer expanded video services. So far these have only been offered in selected markets and are somewhat pricey. The main issue is that video programming is a ravenous consumer of bandwidth. As an example, if we take the bandwidth currently being used to provide only one channel of public television using UHF Channel 48 and use it for voice or data transmission, we could provide thousands of individual phone conversations and computer connections with the web. One TV program or thousands of other services. So when you send video over a cell phone network, it really can clog up the works. This means it is not very robust and it is expensive to provide.

As I have written repeatedly in this column, TV in the US has already converted to digital technology with the end of the analog TV age coming in about seven months. The group that I have been serving with is engaged in developing a system that uses part of the broadcaster’s digital signal to send video programming to mobile devices. The conversion to digital allows a more efficient use of the bandwidth.

Some examples. That back seat video screen in the mini van that now displays programs from the same old DVDs will be able to receive new live special programming aimed akids. No more “if I have to come back there” pronouncements. While our area does not have as many mass transit commuters as some of the major US cities, even here, some bus riders might enjoy watching the morning news programs while riding the Metro down I-74.

It may come as a surprise to some that the US is far behind many other countries in deploying this technology. Japan, Korea and some of the Scandinavian countries have very robust mobile networks and mobile video services. In these countries, a combination of government subsidy and consumer demand has spawned higher speed networks and lower prices.

In the US some of the mobile video services will be riding on the broadcast digital TV system and it is anticipated that much of the cost will be absorbed by advertisers. Time will tell.

The first of the mobile services are projected to launch in 2009.

TV Anytime & Anywhere

Over the past nine months or so I have been involved on a national committee looking at systems for providing video programming to mobile and hand held devices. Representatives from the major broadcast groups and other industry leaders have been examining how the new digital broadcast system can be used for more applications than only that new HD TV set in the family room.

You would have to be living on a deserted island not to be aware that the world of communications has gone mobile. More and more young people don’t even have a hard- wired phone line, choosing instead the flexibility and convenience of the cell phone. The Black Berry®, or one of the myriad of similar portable communication/assistant devices, has replaced the red “power tie” in corporate conference rooms large and small. So it is only logical that TV programming too will migrate to an untethered universe.

There are already some nascent video services being provided for viewing on cell phones. Verizon® and others offer expanded video services. So far these have only been offered in selected markets and are somewhat pricey. The main issue is that video programming is a ravenous consumer of bandwidth. As an example, if we take the bandwidth currently being used to provide only one channel of public television using UHF Channel 48 and use it for voice or data transmission, we could provide thousands of individual phone conversations and computer connections with the web. One TV program or thousands of other services. So when you send video over a cell phone network, it really can clog up the works. This means it is not very robust and it is expensive to provide.

As I have written repeatedly in this column, TV in the US has already converted to digital technology with the end of the analog TV age coming in about seven months. The group that I have been serving with is engaged in developing a system that uses part of the broadcaster’s digital signal to send video programming to mobile devices. The conversion to digital allows a more efficient use of the bandwidth.

Some examples. That back seat video screen in the mini van that now displays programs from the same old DVDs will be able to receive new live special programming aimed akids. No more “if I have to come back there” pronouncements. While our area does not have as many mass transit commuters as some of the major US cities, even here, some bus riders might enjoy watching the morning news programs while riding the Metro down I-74.

It may come as a surprise to some that the US is far behind many other countries in deploying this technology. Japan, Korea and some of the Scandinavian countries have very robust mobile networks and mobile video services. In these countries, a combination of government subsidy and consumer demand has spawned higher speed networks and lower prices.

In the US some of the mobile video services will be riding on the broadcast digital TV system and it is anticipated that much of the cost will be absorbed by advertisers. Time will tell.

The first of the mobile services are projected to launch in 2009.

Ten Things you need to know about Digital TV

There is a lot of misinformation about Digital TV and what the new system means to the average viewer. While I have covered these things in past post here is a summary. Print it and take it with you when you shop.

1. On February 17, 2009, all analog TV broadcast channels (e.g. locally in Cincinnati, CET, WCPO, WLWT, WKRC, WXIX, etc.) in the United States will cease operation. The stations and programs will still exist, but on new digital channels.

2. The US, like the rest of the world, is converting to an all digital system that enhances the quality of the picture and sound and makes a much more efficient use of the scarce electromagnetic spectrum (i. e. available TV channels.)

3. Eventually you will have to buy a new digital TV since analog sets are no longer manufactured, but will be able watch most of your favorite programs on your old analog set.

4. There are ways to use your old set after February 2009. 1. You can get an inexpensive digital converter that will capture the digital signals off-the-air and convert them to signals your old (analog) TV can display. 2. You can pay for a cable or satellite service. The cable and satellite set top boxes already convert digital signals to analog signals.

5. If you keep your old TV and use a converter, cable or satellite you will not enjoy the vastly superior picture and sound of High Definition TV nor will you have a wide movie-like screen.

6. Your VCR and DVD player will still work with your old analog TV as will the tapes and DVDs that you now have. You will be able to connect your current VCR and DVD player to most new digital TV sets, but they will not give you a HD experience.

7. TV stations will continue BROADCASTING through the air, and using an antenna you will still be able to get local stations on a digital TV without cable or satellite.

8. The new digital TVs come in many sizes. The sharpness of the picture is a product of screen size and resolution. TV’s are available in CRT (picture tube), LCD, and plasma and DLP. Shop with your eyes.

9. Digital over-the-air channels may provide more than one program at the same time. For example, CET’s digital channel has both High Definition Programs and a separate CET World Channel.

10. The prices of new digital sets are becoming comparable to the old analog sets. Be sure your new set has an ATSC (digital) tuner!

Ten Things you need to know about Digital TV

There is a lot of misinformation about Digital TV and what the new system means to the average viewer. While I have covered these things in past post here is a summary. Print it and take it with you when you shop.

1. On February 17, 2009, all analog TV broadcast channels (e.g. locally in Cincinnati, CET, WCPO, WLWT, WKRC, WXIX, etc.) in the United States will cease operation. The stations and programs will still exist, but on new digital channels.

2. The US, like the rest of the world, is converting to an all digital system that enhances the quality of the picture and sound and makes a much more efficient use of the scarce electromagnetic spectrum (i. e. available TV channels.)

3. Eventually you will have to buy a new digital TV since analog sets are no longer manufactured, but will be able watch most of your favorite programs on your old analog set.

4. There are ways to use your old set after February 2009. 1. You can get an inexpensive digital converter that will capture the digital signals off-the-air and convert them to signals your old (analog) TV can display. 2. You can pay for a cable or satellite service. The cable and satellite set top boxes already convert digital signals to analog signals.

5. If you keep your old TV and use a converter, cable or satellite you will not enjoy the vastly superior picture and sound of High Definition TV nor will you have a wide movie-like screen.

6. Your VCR and DVD player will still work with your old analog TV as will the tapes and DVDs that you now have. You will be able to connect your current VCR and DVD player to most new digital TV sets, but they will not give you a HD experience.

7. TV stations will continue BROADCASTING through the air, and using an antenna you will still be able to get local stations on a digital TV without cable or satellite.

8. The new digital TVs come in many sizes. The sharpness of the picture is a product of screen size and resolution. TV’s are available in CRT (picture tube), LCD, and plasma and DLP. Shop with your eyes.

9. Digital over-the-air channels may provide more than one program at the same time. For example, CET’s digital channel has both High Definition Programs and a separate CET World Channel.

10. The prices of new digital sets are becoming comparable to the old analog sets. Be sure your new set has an ATSC (digital) tuner!

DTV over-the-air, an inexpensive option

With more and more people buying Digital TV sets, some are confused about needing a cable or satellite service to receive the local stations’ digital channels In fact over a one week period I had two callers ask me about receiving digital TV channels over-the-air and what antenna they should get. Both wanted to get the new HD digital programs from the local stations in Cincinnati. Both wanted to know if an antenna, either indoor or outdoor, would be required.

Well, there is no easy answer. One caller noted that he lived about 40 miles north of Cincinnati. That distance places him within the potential coverage area but there are many other factors that can impact on his ability to receive DTV from the Cincinnati stations. In fact, the only way to know for sure is to actually install an antenna and see if it works. Another is to hire a technician with a signal strength meter. He or she can measure the quality of the signal and recommend an antenna. There are several models available that can work. There is absolutely no way to know “for sure” without actually installing the antenna.

Let me explain. An often overlooked by-product of the new Digital TV transmission format is the “cliff effect.” Simply put, the digital picture on your new DTV is either perfect or non-existent. With older analog broadcasting, the farther you lived from the TV transmitter the more the picture degraded, i.e. got snowy. Eventually it would be too bad to watch. With digital signals the new DTV tuner locks on to the TV signal and keeps the picture perfect until it no longer has enough “bits and bytes” of information to make a perfect picture. When that happens the picture vanishes. “It falls of the cliff.” From perfect to non-existent in an instant.

Since I don’t know if there are hills or buildings that might block or reflect the signal for the Dayton caller, there is no way of telling what, if any antenna, will work. We have two CET staff members who live in the Fairfield area of Butler County. While they live only a few blocks apart, one gets perfect reception from all Cincinnati DTV stations and the other gets none, no matter what antenna he tries.

As discussed in past posts, most people in the Cincinnati area do not receive local channels off the air. They subscribe to cable or satellite services and as such reception of local channels is part of the package. These individuals can also receive hundreds of other channels. As we get closer to the analog cut off date in 2009, more and more channels will be delivered in HD. Time will tell how many will choose to continue over-the-air only reception with the plethora of other options.

DTV over-the-air, an inexpensive option

With more and more people buying Digital TV sets, some are confused about needing a cable or satellite service to receive the local stations’ digital channels In fact over a one week period I had two callers ask me about receiving digital TV channels over-the-air and what antenna they should get. Both wanted to get the new HD digital programs from the local stations in Cincinnati. Both wanted to know if an antenna, either indoor or outdoor, would be required.

Well, there is no easy answer. One caller noted that he lived about 40 miles north of Cincinnati. That distance places him within the potential coverage area but there are many other factors that can impact on his ability to receive DTV from the Cincinnati stations. In fact, the only way to know for sure is to actually install an antenna and see if it works. Another is to hire a technician with a signal strength meter. He or she can measure the quality of the signal and recommend an antenna. There are several models available that can work. There is absolutely no way to know “for sure” without actually installing the antenna.

Let me explain. An often overlooked by-product of the new Digital TV transmission format is the “cliff effect.” Simply put, the digital picture on your new DTV is either perfect or non-existent. With older analog broadcasting, the farther you lived from the TV transmitter the more the picture degraded, i.e. got snowy. Eventually it would be too bad to watch. With digital signals the new DTV tuner locks on to the TV signal and keeps the picture perfect until it no longer has enough “bits and bytes” of information to make a perfect picture. When that happens the picture vanishes. “It falls of the cliff.” From perfect to non-existent in an instant.

Since I don’t know if there are hills or buildings that might block or reflect the signal for the Dayton caller, there is no way of telling what, if any antenna, will work. We have two CET staff members who live in the Fairfield area of Butler County. While they live only a few blocks apart, one gets perfect reception from all Cincinnati DTV stations and the other gets none, no matter what antenna he tries.

As discussed in past posts, most people in the Cincinnati area do not receive local channels off the air. They subscribe to cable or satellite services and as such reception of local channels is part of the package. These individuals can also receive hundreds of other channels. As we get closer to the analog cut off date in 2009, more and more channels will be delivered in HD. Time will tell how many will choose to continue over-the-air only reception with the plethora of other options.

Me thinks I hit a nerve!

From the number and intensity of the comments generated by the HD Radio discussion, it seems that there are some strong feelings. The fact that HD radio has been slow to take off is no doubt the result of several market and technical issues. Unlike DTV, of which I have more than a passing knowledge, HD radio was never mandated by the FCC. And unlike the DTV conversion, the analog stations will not cease to exist at a time certain. So it stands to reason that the adoption curve will be less steep than the DTV curve which is quite steep right now, a full 18 months away from analog shutdown.

For what it is worth, I am a firm believer that the “content” will drive the adoption or lack of adoption of HD Radio as it has with most other new technologies. (Remember VisiCcalc™ and the first PCs or “Bonanza” and the first color TVs?) As for the need to continually upgrade, that is just a byproduct of the digital age. It happens with new TVs, new mobile phones, and most anything digital.

No problem giving your comments here as long as we all stay with sharing ideas and opinions.

Me thinks I hit a nerve!

From the number and intensity of the comments generated by the HD Radio discussion, it seems that there are some strong feelings. The fact that HD radio has been slow to take off is no doubt the result of several market and technical issues. Unlike DTV, of which I have more than a passing knowledge, HD radio was never mandated by the FCC. And unlike the DTV conversion, the analog stations will not cease to exist at a time certain. So it stands to reason that the adoption curve will be less steep than the DTV curve which is quite steep right now, a full 18 months away from analog shutdown.

For what it is worth, I am a firm believer that the “content” will drive the adoption or lack of adoption of HD Radio as it has with most other new technologies. (Remember VisiCcalc™ and the first PCs or “Bonanza” and the first color TVs?) As for the need to continually upgrade, that is just a byproduct of the digital age. It happens with new TVs, new mobile phones, and most anything digital.

No problem giving your comments here as long as we all stay with sharing ideas and opinions.

The Sky Is Falling…DTV is coming, DTV is Coming…

Last February I wrote about the upcoming end to analog TV broadcasting in the United States. At 12:01 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2009, analog TV broadcasting will be no more as the United States joins many other countries of the world in adopting an all digital broadcasting system.
As discussed in the previous column, many of us will not be affected even if we still are then using our existing analog TVs. The reason is that according to Nielsen Research, only about 20% of the households in the Cincinnati market require broadcast over-the air signals to watch TV; the other 80% use either cable, satellite or a combination of both. Since the cable and satellite set top boxes already convert digital signals so they can be viewed on analog TV sets, the fact that stations like CET will no longer be broadcasting in analog is irrelevant.
For those who want to stick to receiving signals over the air, Congress has developed a voucher program that will award two $40 vouchers to each household requesting them. The vouchers can be used to offset the cost of purchasing small digital converters that will receive digital over-the-air signals and convert them to analog signals that even your trusty old RCA with aluminum foil on the rabbit ears can handle. They are still working out the details for distributing these vouchers. I’ll be sure to let you know when an announcement is made.
Congress also has mandated that retailers make sure that anyone buying a new TV, no matter the size, has information about what kind of tuner is installed. If it has only an analog tuner, the set must have a label stating that it will no longer be able to receive over-the-air signals after February 17, 2009.
Recently I took a field trip to see how various retailers were handling this disclosure requirement. I browsed through some major “big box” stores. I was surprised by what I found, or I should say, what I didn’t find. Today, analog TV sets are as scarce as VHS machines. For example, a stroll through “Best Buy” found no analog TVs at all. Even the small inexpensive counter top sets had ATSC tuners built in. That means that they have digital tuners capable of receiving the digital broadcasts. They are not High Definition sets nor do they have wide screens, but they can receive all the broadcasted digital signals. The good news is that the price seems about the same as the analog-only sets of last year.
Seems like the “sky is falling” predictions that warned of millions of TV viewers would be looking at blank screens when they wake up on February 17, 2009 may be a bit over blown. I’ll keep you updated.

The Sky Is Falling…DTV is coming, DTV is Coming…

Last February I wrote about the upcoming end to analog TV broadcasting in the United States. At 12:01 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2009, analog TV broadcasting will be no more as the United States joins many other countries of the world in adopting an all digital broadcasting system.
As discussed in the previous column, many of us will not be affected even if we still are then using our existing analog TVs. The reason is that according to Nielsen Research, only about 20% of the households in the Cincinnati market require broadcast over-the air signals to watch TV; the other 80% use either cable, satellite or a combination of both. Since the cable and satellite set top boxes already convert digital signals so they can be viewed on analog TV sets, the fact that stations like CET will no longer be broadcasting in analog is irrelevant.
For those who want to stick to receiving signals over the air, Congress has developed a voucher program that will award two $40 vouchers to each household requesting them. The vouchers can be used to offset the cost of purchasing small digital converters that will receive digital over-the-air signals and convert them to analog signals that even your trusty old RCA with aluminum foil on the rabbit ears can handle. They are still working out the details for distributing these vouchers. I’ll be sure to let you know when an announcement is made.
Congress also has mandated that retailers make sure that anyone buying a new TV, no matter the size, has information about what kind of tuner is installed. If it has only an analog tuner, the set must have a label stating that it will no longer be able to receive over-the-air signals after February 17, 2009.
Recently I took a field trip to see how various retailers were handling this disclosure requirement. I browsed through some major “big box” stores. I was surprised by what I found, or I should say, what I didn’t find. Today, analog TV sets are as scarce as VHS machines. For example, a stroll through “Best Buy” found no analog TVs at all. Even the small inexpensive counter top sets had ATSC tuners built in. That means that they have digital tuners capable of receiving the digital broadcasts. They are not High Definition sets nor do they have wide screens, but they can receive all the broadcasted digital signals. The good news is that the price seems about the same as the analog-only sets of last year.
Seems like the “sky is falling” predictions that warned of millions of TV viewers would be looking at blank screens when they wake up on February 17, 2009 may be a bit over blown. I’ll keep you updated.