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Transition! Transition!
*This post was edited for clarity on 1/30/09 at 3:40 PM EST.
Will I still be able to watch TV after the digital transition? What's going to change? Do I need a converter box? If you're feeling a little confused about the imminent shut-off of analog TV signals, you're not alone.
Congress is still debating a bill that may push the transition back to June but right now the analog shut-off is tentatively scheduled for February 17th. We will keep you posted here at PBS Engage on any news.
If you have a TV purchased after March 2007 or already are a cable or satellite subscriber, it's unlikely that the shut-off will affect you. But in this rough economy, TV can be an "extra," and many people are canceling their cable service or putting off buying a new TV.
To get quick answers to your DTV concerns, check out the PBS Digital TV transition information site and the list of frequently asked questions.
Earlier this year, PBS Chief Technology Officer John McCoskey answered your questions about the DTV transition, including issues like how to get a discount on your converter box and concerns about privacy and DTV.
Some local stations have also addressed more specific concerns; for example, Oregon Public Broadcasting offers this website, which includes a Spanish-language fact sheet and 800-number for questions.
And last but not least, the official government site offers information about how to get on the waiting list for a discount coupon for a converter box, as well as the latest news about the shut-off.
Being left without a TV signal is about more than missing your favorite shows on PBS or any other over-the-air network. It's also about having access to information and news in case of emergency. So get all the facts you need and be prepared. If you have more questions about the transition or advice to share with others please post a comment here.
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break up of audio
doesn't sound like any of the tv stations are ready for the Feb. 17 switch over. the ones broadcasting now are always breaking up.
As you go HD, do you have
As you go HD, do you have any information pertaining to HDTV outside antennas that are best for around 28 mile distance from your transmitter -- i.e. area code 91750?
Outside Antennas
Hi Carl,
For helpful information on TV antennas, we recommend www.antennaweb.org This site will recommend the best antenna options for you based on your address. Alternatively, you can call a local antenna installer for more information.
Please note that the terms digital television (DTV) and high definition television (HDTV) are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. DTV refers to all digital television; HDTV is the highest quality form of DTV. Not all digital television is high-definition.
Lauren - PBS Engage
Immigration Reform
Dear Barack Obama,
I am so grateful that we finally have an inteligent, thoughtful, and compassionate person in the Presidency.
This is a desparate cry of help to anyone who can help us in the Obama Administration.
I am a U.S. born citizen and my wife is an illegal Immigrant. Immediatley after we got married we filled papers with INS (the I-130 and I-485). The I-130 was approved but the I-485 was denied. In September 2008 we recieved the deportation notice. My family has fallen victim to deportation hearings. My wife has lived here illegally for 9 years but has never broken any laws and she pays taxes. I am a U.S. citizen by birth and my wife and I have two children who are also U.S. Citizens. The Bush Administration let this happen by not renewing the 245i when it came up for renew in 2001. Keep American Families together.
My Lawyer is doing the best he can to keep my wife here by delaying the hearing. The Deportation hearing is on March 2nd 2009 in Philadelphia. Our lawyer says we don't qualify for any relief from removal. My wife has lived in the U.S. for nine years. My wife has 120 days from the hearing to depart the U.S. (June 2nd 2009).
The odds of my wife being granted approval to return to the U.S. at the interview at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico is not guarenteed. We need to file a waiver with the U.S. Embassy. The typical wait for a waiver to be approved is at least one year. Waiver's are denied more often than not. The ONLY exception to that is if the immigrant or the immigrant's spouse have a medical condition that qualifies as an extreme hardship. A minnimum penalty of at least ten years is imposed before she can apply to reenter the U.S. legally.
How is a husband suppossed to willingly agree to a ten year separation from his wife?
We are in desparate need to talk to anyone in the Obama administration who might be able to help our family stay together.
We have a seven year old son named Jhan and a three month old daughter named Shakira.
We need an immediate moratorium on all deportations that separate families.We need an immediate cancellation of all deportations that separate families until comprehensive immigration reform can be passed by Congress.
I sincerely hope my government does'nt split up my family.
Illegal immigrants should not be deported if they do not have a crimminal record and have children that are American Citizens or a spouse that is an American Citizen and are trying to follow the rules. My wife and I have filed joint tax returns for the past three years. My wife has never broken any laws.
I would pay a monatary penalty to keep my wife here legally. I've paid approximately ten thousand dollars in filling fees and lawyer fees. My wife and I just want to raise a family together. I thought that I had a birth right as an American that I would be able to marry any woman that I loved and live happily together with her.
We have two American Citizen children together. American children should not have to go through the deportation process. It isn't fair to them.
We want a cancellation of deportation order from the president for all families in our situation. If we wait until Congress acts on immigration reform it will be too late for our family. We need an Executive Order from the President.
Thank you and God bless you and your family. I know you will do the right thing.
No TV would actually be a
No TV would actually be a blessing in disguise...
as for emergencies, try the radio!
I see the value in making
I see the value in making the change but I do believe that things got muddled in the process.
Greg
no cptv reception
I have been receiving the cptv broadcast on my digital channel 24 till today. I am not receiving the siginal - Is something happening to the signal transmittion? or has the channal number changed?
I was wondering the same
I was wondering the same thing
Digital Transition
My biggest concern with the transition is the access to news and information in event of an emergency. We live in a mountainous area and from time to time have a winter storm severe enough to isolate us for several days at a time. It's times like these that I've in the past relied on an old battery powered tv to get our local news. Reception hasn't been good enough to see, but good enough to HEAR (we have a mountain between us and the nearest town.) I've been through three digital antennas so far trying to get a reliable signal out of the dtv signal they're putting out. When the picture comes in it's beautiful, but often times it's not a consistent enough lock to be able to hear the content as well.
I'm afraid we may have to spend a decent amount of money for an outdoor antenna and support in order to keep our emergency access to the local news.
(For what it's worth our cable expires ~15 minutes after a power cut due to their repeaters requiring power and the backup batteries they use draining.) We could go with satellite, but it seems absurd to have to shell out that much more money a month just to be able to get what we were able to previously.
PBS transition
very disappointing that our PBS switched over so early. it took from AUG, SEP, OCt, NOV, DEC, JANUARY 20th to FINALLY get a converter box....and then to find out the old antennae doesn't work. i missed all the political stuff, and the CHRISTMAS programs....and the other things that are good, like Victory Garden, Creative Living, etc. very sad.
the t.v. people SHOULD have beat the drums about the ANTENNA last summer. LAST SUMMER!! HOW do you expect someone to get up on the roof and do that stuff when we were in -30 BELOW!? crazy! and WHERE can i GET an antenna, at what COST? they should have been flooding the market with them!
PBS should have run simaltaneous old/new like cbs does....at least it wouldn't be 1/2 year loss. CRAZY! somebody wasn't thinking at PBS. if other government programs are run as ineptly as the converter box fiasco i can see why people get upset with government.
what is REALLY important in FEBRUARY AND MARCH and into APRIL is to get the WEATHER reports! CRAZY to cut off t.v. for people just ahead of MARCH road warnings....for some manhantan nut or california fruitcake this doesn't matter much, but out in the -30 below BLIZZARD part of the nation it is obviously VERY IRRESPOSIBLE for the t.v. people here to just fall into line like lemmings and go swish and off in FEB and MARCH! total crazy!
WHO made these decisions with such disregard for midwestern people?!
No need to panic
TV is overrated as it is...
Try the radio or internet... they should be close to combining all of these mediums together in a tidy little package anyway!