See What You've Been Missing

With all the hype and advertising promoting cable TV and satellite services, it is interesting to me that many people still don’t realize that there are many channels available free over-the- air. In fact, since the digital conversion, the number of channels that most of us can get using an antenna and a digital TV or a digital converter box on our analog TV has gone from about 6 to 17 or more.

We are indeed creatures of habit and as such we tune in good old Channel 9 or 19 and may not think about the fact that these and most other channels have multiple offerings. For example, Fox 19 has two services. Channel 19.1 carries the traditional local news and the Fox network which they have carried for years. On Channel 19.2 there is a completely different service called THISTV. This second channel broadcasts mostly movies and some children’s programming.

On CET Channel 48 (full disclosure here, I work for CET) there are three discrete services. Channel 48.1 carries the traditional schedule of PBS programming. 48.2, with the moniker “CET Create,” has a 24/7 line up of “how-to-do-it” programs. Beginning February 1st, Channel 48.3 began “CET Arts,” a full schedule of programming spanning the visual and performing arts.

All of these channels can be received using a digital TV set and antenna. If you receive the primary channel, i.e., 5.1 or 9.1 etc., you can also get the additional channels. On most TVs and digital converter boxes, all you need to do is press the “Channel UP” button on the remote and you will see the additional channels.

Some of these channels are available also on cable but none of the additional channels are available on either the Dish or DirectTv satellite services. For example, the “CET Arts” service is available on the Time Warner Cable digital tier on Channel 987.

Even if you use a cable or satellite service, you can still set up your TV to receive over- the-air channels as well. For older sets it may require some cables and switches; for most new TV’s it only requires an antenna connected to the new TV and selecting the right input. If you want directions on how to do it just send me an email (jdominic@cetconnect.org) and I will send you the information. Be sure to tell me the type of TV you have and if you have a cable or satellite service.

Look around the over-the-air landscape, you may be surprised to see what you have been missing.

See What You've Been Missing

With all the hype and advertising promoting cable TV and satellite services, it is interesting to me that many people still don’t realize that there are many channels available free over-the- air. In fact, since the digital conversion, the number of channels that most of us can get using an antenna and a digital TV or a digital converter box on our analog TV has gone from about 6 to 17 or more.

We are indeed creatures of habit and as such we tune in good old Channel 9 or 19 and may not think about the fact that these and most other channels have multiple offerings. For example, Fox 19 has two services. Channel 19.1 carries the traditional local news and the Fox network which they have carried for years. On Channel 19.2 there is a completely different service called THISTV. This second channel broadcasts mostly movies and some children’s programming.

On CET Channel 48 (full disclosure here, I work for CET) there are three discrete services. Channel 48.1 carries the traditional schedule of PBS programming. 48.2, with the moniker “CET Create,” has a 24/7 line up of “how-to-do-it” programs. Beginning February 1st, Channel 48.3 began “CET Arts,” a full schedule of programming spanning the visual and performing arts.

All of these channels can be received using a digital TV set and antenna. If you receive the primary channel, i.e., 5.1 or 9.1 etc., you can also get the additional channels. On most TVs and digital converter boxes, all you need to do is press the “Channel UP” button on the remote and you will see the additional channels.

Some of these channels are available also on cable but none of the additional channels are available on either the Dish or DirectTv satellite services. For example, the “CET Arts” service is available on the Time Warner Cable digital tier on Channel 987.

Even if you use a cable or satellite service, you can still set up your TV to receive over- the-air channels as well. For older sets it may require some cables and switches; for most new TV’s it only requires an antenna connected to the new TV and selecting the right input. If you want directions on how to do it just send me an email (jdominic@cetconnect.org) and I will send you the information. Be sure to tell me the type of TV you have and if you have a cable or satellite service.

Look around the over-the-air landscape, you may be surprised to see what you have been missing.

Why are we changing a perfectly good TV system?

Much has been written and reported about the transition from an analog to a digital TV system in the United States and in other countries around the word. This column has discussed the features of new TV sets and the various “flavors” of technologies and services that you can use to receive these new digital signals. The other day I was asked some very simple questions which have not received much attention in any of these reports, including mine. Why are we doing this? Why are we spending billions of dollars to rebuild, from the ground up, a national TV system that seems to work perfectly well?

Well, there is not one answer but several. Basically it comes down to money, available resources, and the quality of the TV product. I’ll take them one by one.

In the mid to late 1990s Congress was looking for every way possible to increase federal revenues in order to wipe out, or at least reduce, the national deficit. This came at the same time more and more wireless technology companies were exhausting their allocated radio frequencies. A quick calculation showed that current analog TV was using a disproportionate amount of the radio spectrum and that a conversion to digital would free up some of this very valuable space. Since conversion to digital was inevitable, setting a time table was a “no brainer.”

A bit of science here. All assigned radio frequencies (channels) within the radio spectrum(AM, FM, shortwave, emergency radio, cell phones, garage door openers, etc.) are not equal. Some frequencies are more valuable than others. It so happens that the frequencies that we use for analog TV are among the most desirable, since these signals can penetrate buildings, travel long distances, etc. So these TV channels could bring billions in revenue to federal coffers. In fact, the first two auctions took place in mid-January with bids totaling some $2.8 billion. The total revenue is pegged at between $10 and $12 billion.

I am sure you have read about the continuing problems that our police and fire departments often have establishing reliable communications in the event of a major disaster. This was brought home all too clearly in the aftermath of 911. The problem again was that available channels were just plain filled up. Part of the channels that will be made available in February 2009 when analog TV ceases to occupy the airwaves will be dedicated for use by homeland security and other first responders. This should greatly expand communications between and among these emergency workers.

The third reason for moving to digital is to take advantage of all the improvements digital affords. High Definition pictures and sound, multiple channels that occupy less space in the spectrum and easier recording and storage of programs are only a few of the benefits. None of these were practical within the old analog constraints.

For sure this conversion has and continues to be expensive. CET has spent millions to convert our studios and transmitter to digital as have all the other stations in Cincinnati and around the country. For the consumer, new TVs or set top converters will need to be purchased if you are not a cable or satellite subscriber. Is it all worth it? In my opinion, yes it is. Using wisely the radio spectrum is no less important than conserving any finite natural resource. For the consumer, the TV product, at least as it relates to the quality of the pictures and sound will be greatly enhanced. Time will tell if the stuff is worth watching …but that’s another column.

Why are we changing a perfectly good TV system?

Much has been written and reported about the transition from an analog to a digital TV system in the United States and in other countries around the word. This column has discussed the features of new TV sets and the various “flavors” of technologies and services that you can use to receive these new digital signals. The other day I was asked some very simple questions which have not received much attention in any of these reports, including mine. Why are we doing this? Why are we spending billions of dollars to rebuild, from the ground up, a national TV system that seems to work perfectly well?

Well, there is not one answer but several. Basically it comes down to money, available resources, and the quality of the TV product. I’ll take them one by one.

In the mid to late 1990s Congress was looking for every way possible to increase federal revenues in order to wipe out, or at least reduce, the national deficit. This came at the same time more and more wireless technology companies were exhausting their allocated radio frequencies. A quick calculation showed that current analog TV was using a disproportionate amount of the radio spectrum and that a conversion to digital would free up some of this very valuable space. Since conversion to digital was inevitable, setting a time table was a “no brainer.”

A bit of science here. All assigned radio frequencies (channels) within the radio spectrum(AM, FM, shortwave, emergency radio, cell phones, garage door openers, etc.) are not equal. Some frequencies are more valuable than others. It so happens that the frequencies that we use for analog TV are among the most desirable, since these signals can penetrate buildings, travel long distances, etc. So these TV channels could bring billions in revenue to federal coffers. In fact, the first two auctions took place in mid-January with bids totaling some $2.8 billion. The total revenue is pegged at between $10 and $12 billion.

I am sure you have read about the continuing problems that our police and fire departments often have establishing reliable communications in the event of a major disaster. This was brought home all too clearly in the aftermath of 911. The problem again was that available channels were just plain filled up. Part of the channels that will be made available in February 2009 when analog TV ceases to occupy the airwaves will be dedicated for use by homeland security and other first responders. This should greatly expand communications between and among these emergency workers.

The third reason for moving to digital is to take advantage of all the improvements digital affords. High Definition pictures and sound, multiple channels that occupy less space in the spectrum and easier recording and storage of programs are only a few of the benefits. None of these were practical within the old analog constraints.

For sure this conversion has and continues to be expensive. CET has spent millions to convert our studios and transmitter to digital as have all the other stations in Cincinnati and around the country. For the consumer, new TVs or set top converters will need to be purchased if you are not a cable or satellite subscriber. Is it all worth it? In my opinion, yes it is. Using wisely the radio spectrum is no less important than conserving any finite natural resource. For the consumer, the TV product, at least as it relates to the quality of the pictures and sound will be greatly enhanced. Time will tell if the stuff is worth watching …but that’s another column.