TV signals will be digital in Feb. ‘09
By COBY LaRUE
Staff
All broadcast television will switch over to digital in February 2009, a change that has prompted concern and some confusion among some local TV viewers. Those with older television sets who get their signals via antenna or ‘rabbit ears' will face a loss of programming unless they take action before the change-over occurs next year. However, most antennas will continue to be functional even after the change—the televisions need an upgrade.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which controls the U.S. airwaves, has said the changeover will allow better use of existing bandwidth—giving more options for emergency communications, such as police, fire and rescue, and also for use by advanced wireless services, like wireless broadband.
Digital broadcasting also has a clearer picture and improved sound quality. Channels can also broadcast multiple programs simultaneously with digital, allowing more choices.
However, those with older sets will need a converter box in order to continue using their current equipment.
While the change to digital television seems foreboding, it actually is little more than a change in the way television signals will be broadcast, explained David Nichols with Alleghany Electronics. Nichols, a Radio Shack franchisee, is offering the digital converter boxes at his store in Trojan Village Shopping Center in Sparta.
In explaining the change, Nichols said that currently, channels two through 13 are broadcast in VHF (Very High Frequency) while the higher channel numbers are broadcast in UHF (Ultra High Frequency). In 2009, all broadcasting will be in the UHF range, which may affect the way reception is picked up in some areas.
Since UHF is very directional, those used to picking up a broad range of VHF channels without moving their antenna may want to consider a rotor box for turning the antenna from inside the home. Any antenna that doesn't include UHF reception will no longer be functional for picking up television signals, but most antennas include reception of both UHF and VHF signals. However, Nichols said FM radio signals can still be picked up with a VHF antenna, so VHF-only antennas could still be used for that purpose.
In addition, most older televisions have analog tuners (channel changing mechanisms), which affects the way they process signals.
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