From:
Milton Deemer
Date:
May 09 11:20 UTC
Short link
A note of interest regarding dtv converter boxes. I emailed KNME (PBS) with a
question regarding the necessity of boxes in the areas being serviced by
translator stations. A gentleman at WalMart told me we didn’t need one since
translator stations are going to remain analog. This is the reply by a Franz
Joachim of KNME.
Hi Mr. Deemer,
I'm copying Dan Zillich, our Manager of Broadcast Services and he can
correct or clarify anything I say. Essentially that gentleman was
correct. While much of the country is going to have to use converter
boxes to get over the air broadcasts after February 17, 2009, those in
rural areas served by translators will not. The cut off date for
translators is farther out, rumor has it that the date will be some time
in 2012. However, that date has not been set. Further, it is my
understanding that individual stations may make that transition on their
own schedule. Factors that will push stations decisions to convert
specific translators include availability of equipment, finances and the
FCC. While urban areas served by primary transmitters have a specific
date to go by, communities served by translators do not, so stations in
your area may not convert at the same time. This means that you may
need a converter box to receive some stations and not need one for
others. Eventually all stations in your area will comply, but it may be
a hodge podge of dates. In the meantime I would wait to get a converter
box, and when you do get one that allows analog pass through. This
would allow you to get both digital and analog through the box, allowing
you to see everything that is available. These dual purpose boxes are
just now coming on the market, so be careful buying too soon.
KNME has not converted the translator in your area. Our schedule to do
that is probably in the next year. When we do you will get more
channels from KNME. At that point you can expect to get Channel 5-1,
the channel 5 you are familiar with as well as 5-2, 9-1 and 9-2.
Discussions are taking place internally as to what will be shown on
those other channels. Channel 9, by the way, is a new service and is
only available digitally and not available, yet, on cable or satellite.
If you haven't done so, apply for coupons to offset the cost of your
converter boxes. The coupons are free, up to two per household, and you
will need one for each television. Each coupon is worth $40 towards the
purchase of a box. At this point it is taking about two months from the
time you apply to receipt of the coupons. Also, the coupons have a 90
day time limit from the day they are mailed to you, after which they are
no longer valid. Information on the coupon program is available at
www.dtv2009.gov.
Later he wrote back to add:
I stand corrected on the statement I made about Channel 9.
Unfortunately DTV Channel 9's service does not extend to translators and
is only operating at low power from the primary transmitter at this
time. While you will receive the various multi cast channels from
Chanel 5 you will not receive channel 9.