The Last Day of Analogue TV

[arklatexradio]

LPTV and Translators stations are exempt from the cut off date
http://dtvfacts.com/103/are-any-tv-stations-exempt-from-the-2009-cutoff-date/

 

[fortmill]

I believe the cut-off day will be characterized by great confusion and upheaval. True, most cable and satelite subscribers won't even notice a difference, but for the 20-25% who recieve their TV OTA, oh my god! First, even after several years of publicity, most people are still completely in the dark about the changeover. Second, many people will continue to ignore the warnings and will not purchase converters or new TVs. Third, even for those who own the necessary equipment, they will not be able operate the equipment (navigate the menus and switch from analog to digital and reorient the antenna as necessary). Forth, and this is the biggie, many with the necessary equipment will still not be able to recieve their favorite stations. It seems in many cases, stations are not going to be operating at full power, have changed the location of their TX, or have changed their broadcast patterns. Also, with the much closer spacing of DTV channels, areas between cities which should recieve channels will not because of interferrence of co-located channels. Viewers with VHF-only antennas, of course, will not be able to recieve the mostly UHF DTV channels. In cities, people who recieve their TV over master antenna systems will largely be left in the dark---do you really think every hospital, college dorm, apartment, hotel, etc. will be converted on that exact day? In mountainous and deep fringe areas, DTV simply is not feasible. I predict there will be a huge increase in demand for cable service on Feb 20., but even some smaller cable systems will be on the spot since they will no longer be able to recieve some of their former channels. Would not want to be in the TV biz or a politician on that day.

 

[Whale]

I still watch television OTA. Anyone know how much a digital receiver will be expected to cost, close to the deadline?

 

[vibe]

I also think there will be an increased demand for cable in 09 as the digital stations seem to be operating with limited power. What about the folks who don't want cable, live 90 mi or so from the transmitters who can get some sort of watchable picture with a big rig on their roof? Those people vote!

 

[w9wi]

Several points of clarification:

1. LPTV and translator stations also have to sign off their analog transmitters by the same day. Many in the DFW area already have construction permits for their new digital channel assignments.

This is not necessarily true.

The FCC has not yet set a drop-dead date for LPTVs or translators. They might choose 2/17/2009 - but they might not.

Since they gave LPs a later start, and those stations' finances are often even more fragile than those of full-power stations, I rather suspect LPs will be given a reprieve and allowed to remain analog for another 6-12 months.

Posted by: Whale
I still watch television OTA. Anyone know how much a digital receiver will be expected to cost, close to the deadline?

Standard definition DTVs are already available for as little as $100. (13" set) I'm seeing 20" units for right around $200 - what one would have paid for a 20" analog set just a couple of years ago.

I expect prices to continue to fall slightly as the deadline approaches.

Posted by: vibe
I also think there will be an increased demand for cable in 09 as the digital stations seem to be operating with limited power. What about the folks who don't want cable, live 90 mi or so from the transmitters who can get some sort of watchable picture with a big rig on their roof? Those people vote!

Most major stations are at full power - many smaller ones aren't.

Of 41 full-power stations in Tennessee,
- 28 have licenses-to-cover for full power facilities.
- Four have licenses-to-cover for permanent facilities but those facilities aren't powerful enough to replicate their analog coverage.
- Seven have permits but no license-to-cover for full-power facilities. They *may* be on the air at full power (I'm
almost certain two of them are) but they might still be on reduced-power STA.
- WMAK-7 Knoxville has no analog facility. They went on the air as a DTV-only station at full power.
- WVLR-48 Tazewell has no DTV facility. They'll have to flash-cut.

Of 21 affiliates of the four major commercial networks (ABC/CBS/Fox/NBC):
- 16 have licenses-to-cover for full-power facilities.
- Four have permits but no licenses-to-cover. I'm almost certain one of them is actually at full power.
- One (WDSI Chattanooga) has a license-to-cover for a less-than-replicating permanent DTV facility.

 

[imhomerjay]

For most people, the last day of analog TV is a meaningless non-event, with no real need or logic for any station to do some big "retrospective" sign off. The same shows will come on the next day, the same newscasts will feature the same faces--it's a big zero for the majority of people. Yes, my handheld TV will be obsolete, and unless I do something with the TV on rabbit ears in my spare bedroom, so will it. But my main TVs, digital and analog, already have cable service, and between cable, telco and satellite most people who want "pay TV" have multiple choices to take care of their TVs.

 

[arnoldevns]

LPTV and Translators stations are exempt from the cut off date
http://dtvfacts.com/103/are-any-tv-stations-exempt-from-the-2009-cutoff-date/

Interesting. My bad. I read something from the FCC that talked about a cut-off for LPTV/Translator stations and it seemed more certian about the 2/17/2009 date.

There will be one interesting mess in some markets: some stations will take over spots on the dial as digital stations that are currently occupied by other analog stations while the current analog occupant will move to another slot for their digital frequency.

For example: in the DFW area, KLDT will move from 54 to 39 for its digital frequency. KXTX channel 39 will keep its digital frequency on channel 40. Yet, KXTX-DT will still map to channel 39.1. KLDT will map to 54.1.

 

[dhett]

Correct. With "virtual channels", most people won't know the actual frequency or channel number a station broadcasts on. The only place I can see a problem with that is in markets such as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which have been UHF-only since forever. Most people there with OTA reception have UHF-only antennas, but the DTV signals for the local CBS and NBC affiliates are on VHF channels. Again, though, most of the area seems to have cable or satellite. I don't know of any VHF-only markets that will have UHF DTV stations.

 

[dhett]

You have an election coming up before that date. With 1 in 5 TV HH'd still relying on OTA because they don't want or can't afford cable/satelite, this could be an important issue.

It is my understanding the final election for stations has already been done. Some VHF hiband stations will stay on their new DTV channel as it was a N+1...those that went higher (like KBMT in TX whose analog is 12 and DTV is 50) will elect to go back to their VHF channel. MOST lowband (2-6) analog went UHF and will stay (thank goodness......VHF Lowband DTV is a MISTAKE! Those staying or going back to lowband will regret it)..I dont know any of those going from analog to DTV on the same channel but I guess it could happen!

I think vibe was referring to a political election, insinuating that there could be hell to pay for forcing a digital transition onto the public.

That may also be part of the reason why the analog shut-off is slated for early 2009. Congress wouldn't dare set it in 2008, and the date early in the congressional terms allows maximum time for damage control, if necessary.

I don't necessarily agree that it will be a major issue, but I still see his/her point.

 

[w9wi]

Correct. With "virtual channels", most people won't know the actual frequency or channel number a station broadcasts on. The only place I can see a problem with that is in markets such as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which have been UHF-only since forever. Most people there with OTA reception have UHF-only antennas, but the DTV signals for the local CBS and NBC affiliates are on VHF channels. Again, though, most of the area seems to have cable or satellite.

I do think this problem (UHF-only antennas) will spread beyond previously UHF-only markets into pretty much every market that has or will have VHF DTVs. (which means a significant majority of markets) We've already had problems - admittedly so far on a pretty small scale - here in Nashville. Right now there is only one VHF DTV in the market; there will be three after transition.

People buying HDTVs are being told they must have a "HDTV antenna" - and the antennas being sold are designed for UHF only. If they're lucky (unamplified Silver Sensor within Metro Davidson Co.) they get all the stations anyway. If they're not lucky, they get everything but NBC...

At least in mixed markets like Nashville, those homes that already have an antenna system in place also already have VHF antennas. That part probably *will* be worse in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton.

In the Third DTV Periodic Review, the FCC cited a surprisingly high (to me) figure for homes without cable/satellite. It was on the order of 20%. That is a nationwide figure and varies quite a bit from market to market - but that implies that the figure is quite a bit greater than 20% in some markets. Doesn't sound like much until you turn off their TVs

I don't know of any VHF-only markets that will have UHF DTV stations.

(?) (are there any VHF-only markets? Even for analog? Unless you mean VHF-only for the major networks?)

 

[FightingIrish]

A few ovservations about digital TV, and some questions:

1. I've noticed that with mapping, the digital channels show the stations' traditional channels. I'm wondering if a UHF station that is also known by it's cable channel number, can remap to show itself as a VHF (ex., many of the CW and MYTV stations). For example, could WDJT in Milwaukee, which is ch. 58 on UHF (moving to 46 via DT) and ch. 5 most local cable outlets, rebrand itself as "CBS 5" and digitally map to there, or something like that? Or could ch. 44 in San Francisco just remap to ch. 12 DTV, as they're on 12 on area cable? This could be an interesting development, as tiny UHFs at the upper end of the dial could 'move down' to where the big boys feed.

2. As I understand, DTV won't need to crank out as much power, as they don't have the ghosting and static issues that analog has. Does this mean that signals for DTV stations won't be as powerful? I do notice that the DTV channels are closer together, and duplicate shorter distances away.

 

[KML0224]

I recently used an indoor Silver Sensor antenna here in the Hartford area. While the UHF seemed OK with it, the VHF wasn't too good. In my area WTNH-TV (ABC) channel 8 of New Haven has their digital on channel 10, while WTXX-TV (CW) channel 20 of Waterbury has their digital on channel 12. While I wanted to have the antenna pointed between the northwest and northwest for the signals of CBS, NBC and FOX (even got a litte of UNI as well), WTNH is to the south-southwest in Hamden and WTXX, although towards the northwest on Rattlesnake Mountain with NBC and FOX, is at relatively low-power, due to channel 12 already used by CBS in Providence, RI.

As for power levels of digital stations, power will still be quite important. You will still have the line-of-sight issues.

 

[vibe]

The last post hit it on the nail. There are a lot of areas in the U.S. where one has existing line of sight issues, can get an "acceptable" picture on analogue but will be absolutely screwed when it comes to digital. Not everyone wants/chooses to pay $50 a month on up for the cable/satelite. And what do you think will happen to your rates once analogue goes dark?

 

[DToTheJ]

I never really checked until just now, but WHY did the FCC decide to make the transition date on a Tuesday??? It looks like a weekend, and at the beginning or end of the month would have made more sense. But when does the FCC do anything that makes sense??? :

Because that's the first full day after the Superbowl.

They didn't want to foul up Superbowl broadcasts, and broadcasters can take Monday to play around and make adjustments if need be before the big switch-off.

Let me get this straight: A Super Bowl is going to be scheduled on FEBRUARY 15? Damn, talk about moving your prized possession into sweeps month!

 

[fortmill]

Another big surprise/outcry will come when an ice storm/hurricane hits, resulting in widespread disruption of cable service. People will pull out their old rabbit ears or coat hangers to watch TV, and POW---there won't be anything there. You may say it won't happen with all the publicity, but mark my words. There will be some unhappy campers......

 

[vibe]

Great point! I'm sure it's something the powers that are haven't thought of.

 

[KE4KLS_Radio]

You guys make some good points. Part of our "hurricane kit" here in Florida is one of those cheap $30 B&W battery operated TV's that are sold at nearly every department and hardware store here in FL. I also have a couple of the multi-band radios with TV channels 2-13 that pick up most of the major network VHF stations in the area. Having been through a few hurricanes and associated power outages, these really do come in handy when you have power and cable outages, and the local radio stations here are on automation...

My guess is that some radio stations (as in the past) will break their regular programming to carry the TV coverage from the local channels. Hopefully there will be some battery operated digital tv's when that time comes, and yes, a lot of folks will be upset when the time comes and there's no picture...

Bill in E. Central FL

 

[KE4KLS_Radio]

On a related note, what will be done with the low band (2-6) VHF channels once they sunset the analog broadcasts? Would that spectrum be suited for digital radio? I understand that a few stations will stay on VHF low and broadcast DTV, although I would think that would be a less than ideal decision from a propagation standpoint. Perhaps some AM's could migrate there...

 

[Markxxx]

The low band VHF still has a few TV stations using it for their digital channels. Also remember the PSIP (used for virtual channel mapping among other things) varies from tuner to tuner.

I know of a guy in NE Maryland and one of this digital TVs will map BOTH channel 2 from New York City and Channel 2 from Baltimore. In other words when he scans channels it'll give him TWO channel 2s.

His other older set will not give him ANY channel 2s because the mapping on that tuner (a different one) doesn't know what to do, so after he scans the set for stations he has to manually enter the ACTUAL channel WCBS New York City and WMAR Baltimore are broadcasting on.

So I assume as technology gets better this will be less of an issue.

I have seen 21" Color TV with digital Tuners (NOT high def but standard def digital) at Walmart for around $125.00 on sale so I don't think it'll be too much of a strain for people. I'm more worried about will the stations I get with analogue still come in with digital.

With analogue you get ghosts and such but digital will give you pixelation and drop outs, so every technology has some drawbacks I guess.

 

[KML0224]

As for the Super Bowl, it's remaining on the first Sunday of February. It's scheduled for NBC on February 1, 2009.