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D-Day for DTV transition in the US finally arrives

12 June 2009 11:07 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 11 comments

After years of planning and preparation, the remaining full power TV stations in the US will be turning off analog broadcasts and switching to all digital tranmission. The switch was supposed to be made on February 17 of this year, but was delayed due to problems with the government's voucher program.

Although most broadcasters have had a digital signal for months or even years, many have been using temporary frequencies until their permanent locations on the dial are freed up today. If you suddenly stop receiving one or more channels make sure to re-scan.

If you need help with DTV reception the FCC has a hotline at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). In addition, the FCC is requiring TV stations to have their own support lines available, which they have been publicizing during their programming for several months.

If don't know the number for your local broadcaster you can call the FCC hotline and they should be able to transfer you.

For general information you can also consult the last section of our guide Preparing for the US DTV Transition, which gives an overview of some reception issues and how to address them.

If you subscribe to either cable or satellite television this transition won't affect you unless you have TVs still receiving over the air signals through an antenna.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

At least 700,000 people still have questions about DTV transition (14 June 2009)

Still don't have a DTV converter box? Get your coupon before Monday (30 May 2009)

Washington D.C is first city to get free mobile DTV (20 April 2009)

Is the FCC too optimistic about the first mass DTV transition? (23 February 2009)

First large scale DTV switch in the US occurs today (17 February 2009)

U.S. Congress approves DTV-switch delay (4 February 2009)

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Discuss this article!
Lothros (Junior Member) 12 June 2009 12:09
I'd bet my life savings people are ringing their Local Governors screaming about having No TV and threatening to sue for mental damages. [ + quote]
pirkster (Junior Member) 12 June 2009 12:53
*Originally posted by Lothros:* I'd bet my life savings people are ringing their Local Governors screaming about having No TV and threatening to sue for mental damages. Fork it over... ...this will be the biggest non-event since the y2k scare. Anyone who hasn't prepared themselves by now is flat out lazy and/or part of the entitlement crowd who are likely on govt assistance already anyway. It's been well communicated and planned for a long, long time. There should be no surprises today. [ + quote]
moonstone (Newbie) 12 June 2009 13:03
Well, where I live, Lebanon, OR apparently anyone who has a antenna, digital or otherwise will only be able to receive limited digital signal. Which means some people probably will be without tv unless they subscribe to a satellite company. Not everyone lives in an area that is conducive to good reception of digital airwaves. [ + quote]
bhetrick (AfterDawn Addict) 12 June 2009 14:49
*Quote:* D-Day for DTV transition in the US finally arrives again. There, I fixed it. [ + quote]
Xplorer4 (Senior Member) 13 June 2009 2:51
I rescanned, but still getting one analog channel, a small time local fox affiliate. [ + quote]
Andy7472 (Newbie) 13 June 2009 3:50
As long as Harper's Island comes on tonight in high-def ' I'm happy. [ + quote]
Lothros (Junior Member) 13 June 2009 13:38
*Originally posted by Xplorer4:* I rescanned, but still getting one analog channel, a small time local fox affiliate. Sue them :) [ + quote]
etinkerer (Newbie) 13 June 2009 20:49
How about the 'manufactured' shortage of converter boxes and the ensuing price gouging for those still left on the shelf? Or no availability at all for those boxes, for days and weeks, for those who put off getting one or two until the last minute, or who just got their coupons, until 'just' before the coupons' expiration date? And no choice of brand of converter box, just whatever (anything) the dealers can get from their distributors, to put out the fires in the market. VHF/UHF outdoor antennas that cannot be had at any price, antenna preamplifiers and rotators going for 10 times what they would normally cost simply because users who 'gotta have it now' didn't have the forsight to get and install them ahead of time. (Isn't that as entertaining as watching the lines at the post office in the last 15 minutes of business on Christmas Eve or on April 15?) The more things change, the more they stay the same! [ + quote]
etinkerer (Newbie) 13 June 2009 20:54
*Quote:* *Originally posted by Xplorer4:* I rescanned, but still getting one analog channel, a small time local fox affiliate. Sue them :) That might be a low power analog channel. The switch currently only involves high power broadcasts. Not sure above how many watts, but low power analog broadcasts currantly not affected. [ + quote]
etinkerer (Newbie) 13 June 2009 20:57
Are they still broadcasting regular programming, or the NAB DTV technical help tips in English and Spanish? [ + quote]
Lothros (Junior Member) 14 June 2009 0:49
*Quote:* *Quote:* *Originally posted by Xplorer4:* I rescanned, but still getting one analog channel, a small time local fox affiliate. Sue them :) That might be a low power analog channel. The switch currently only involves high power broadcasts. Not sure above how many watts, but low power analog broadcasts currantly not affected. It's America, sue them anyway [ + quote]