WASHINGTON, D.C – Consumers having difficulty receiving certain television channels following the June 12 transition to digital TV should try these two tips for better reception: “double rescanning”, and double-checking and relocating their antennas. Meanwhile, local broadcasters are working to resolve those issues that originate with their signal.
Double Rescanning
Many consumers already know about the need to run the “scan” function on their digital converter boxes or digital TV sets periodically following the June 12 digital TV transition. Scanning searches for and “remembers” the available digital broadcast channels. But in some cases where stations moved their digital frequencies on June 12, simple scanning may not be enough. There is a procedure – sometimes called “double re-scanning” – that can clear your box’s memory of saved channels. These earlier scans may have saved channel information that is now incorrect.
There are five simple steps to a double re-scan for a converter box or digital TV, which are as follows:
1. Disconnect the antenna from the box or digital TV.
2. Re-scan the box or digital TV without the antenna connected. As with any scan follow the on-screen instructions or owner’s manual for your device.
3. Unplug the box or digital TV from the electrical outlet for at least one minute.
4. Reconnect the antenna to the box or digital TV and plug the unit into the electrical outlet.
5. Rescan the box or digital TV one more time.
DTV RECEPTION PROBLEMS?
Try “double rescanning” Double Check & Relocate Your Antenna You must have a “VHF/UHF antenna.
“Rabbit ears,” rods, or other elements are needed to pick up channels 2-13 (VHF), and a circle, bow-tie, or other element is needed to pick up channels 14-51 (UHF). Some antennas marketed as HDTV antennas don’t perform well on VHF channels; some antennas are VHF or UHF-only. For the best reception of channels 2-6, extend the rods all the way out. For the best reception of channels 7-13, reduce the length of the rods to12-18 inches.
Location, Location, Location
The location of an indoor antenna is key. And one of the most popular spots for indoor antennas – on top of the TV – may not be the best. Consumers having trouble with digital TV reception should try moving their antennas to one of these locations: • Near a window • As high as possible • Away from other electronic equipment, including computers, VCRs, DVD players, converter boxes, and the television itself • Change the direction the antenna is facing • Rooftop antennas may be needed in some instances Consumers may need to run the “scan” function again on their converter boxes after moving the antenna For more information about antennas and rescanning, visit www.DTV.gov. See the “Install a Converter Box” link for scanning tips.” See the pages on Fixing Reception Problems and Troubleshooting Guide for antenna questions. Instructions posted on the DTV Reception Maps page show how to use the maps to choose an antenna. Also, see the DTV Made Easy Guide.
-FCCResources
Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 21:18
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Last Updated on Friday, 05 June 2009 14:56
Expired Coupons Get 2nd Chance
Press Release: Commerce’s TV Converter Box Coupon Program Now Accepting Requests to Replace Expired Coupons to Assist More Americans with Transition to Digital TV
Program’s Waiting List for Coupons Cleared as a Result of Funding Authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2009 Contact: Bart Forbes, (202) 482-7002 or
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WASHINGTON – As the June 12 deadline for the nationwide conversion to digital TV approaches, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program has begun to accept replacement requests from eligible households whose coupons expired without being redeemed. Meanwhile, money allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allowed NTIA to clear the digital converter box coupon waiting list.
"This is very good news for Americans who were unable to redeem their coupons before they expired," Acting NTIA Administrator Anna Gomez said. "With the backlog of applications now eliminated, consumers can apply for coupons and get assistance right away, allowing them to continue to receive important local television news and emergency information by purchasing a converter box at a reduced cost.”
What Is The DTV Delay Act? Congress recently passed the DTV Delay Act, which extends the deadline for full-power broadcast TV stations to complete the DTV transition from February 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009. The new law allows more time for consumers to be prepared for the DTV transition. However, Congress did not require stations to continue broadcasting in analog after February 17th, and stations may choose to complete their transition, and stop broadcasting in analog, before June 12th.
Focus is Reaching Seniors, People with Disabilities and Spanish-speaking households in Areas with Highest Over the Air Populations
Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced it has selected 12 grassroots organizations and local agencies to help over the air viewers prepare for the digital transition. Today's selections are worth up to $8.4 million and are the culmination of a full and open procurement process.
PinTech Corporation is a private corporation that will offer consumer assistance to seniors, low income, disabled and non-English speaking and minority communities in a four-state region, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This company will work with volunteers from state and local service organizations to assist consumers with information about the DTV conversion. In addition, this company will also provide a telephone DTV help center in each state to help citizens install their DTV converter boxes and will dispatch technicians to make on-site visits to assist customers whose problems cannot be solved over the phone.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 January 2009 08:54
Deadline Looming
After June 12, 2009, TV stations will broadcast only in digital. If you watch TV using rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, you must take action before February 17, 2009. If you have a new TV with a digital tuner, you can already receive digital broadcasts. Or, if you get your local broadcast channels from a pay service like cable or satellite, digital broadcasting should have no effect on you. If you have any questions, call your provider. But, if you have an older TV with rabbit ears or rooftop antenna, you need to act: Connect your TV to a digital-to-analog converter box. Or Buy a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner). Or Subscribe to a pay TV service such as cable or satellite.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 May 2009 16:31
Myths About DTV
Washington, D.C. – Ignorance is bliss in some situations, but not when it comes to understanding the facts about the transition to digital television (DTV). With only four days to go until the switch, the Federal Communications Commission wants to ensure that consumers know what it takes to get ready for the switch on June 12. Here’s what consumers should know: Analog television sets will NOT be obsolete after June 12. Consumers can continue to use their analog TV sets after the transition to DTV is completed on June 12. All they need to do is install a digital-to-analog converter box to each analog TV or connect them to a subscription service, such as cable or satellite TV. Consumers also must have a good antenna with both rabbit ears, or the equivalent for channels 2-13 (VHF) and a loop, bow-tie or equivalent, to get channels 14-51 ( UHF). Analog VCRs connected to a converter box can continue to record programs. Gaming consoles, DVD players and other devices that don’t rely on a broadcast signal will work without a converter box.
Some viewers may have trouble receiving some digital channels after June 12. Some stations will change their coverage area in the digital transition. Watch for station announcements: any station that loses 2% or more of the households it served in analog must notify viewers. In addition, if consumers are missing a few channels, they should conduct a channel scan, adjust their antenna and check the signal strength meter on their converter box. If channels are still missing, they may be able to add them individually by entering the number on the converter box remote. For more information regarding reception in your area, visit www.dtv.gov <http://www.dtv.gov/> .
Converter box coupons WILL be available after June 12, while supplies last. Consumers will have until July 31, while supplies last, to order coupons by calling 1-888-DTV-2009; however, it is too late to order coupons and receive them in time for the June 12 transition. Coupons will expire 90 days after they are mailed, so consumers must act quickly to redeem them. Consumers should call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day they plan to shop.
Free technical assistance WILL still be available after June 12. The FCC will continue to provide assistance after June 12 to anyone that still needs it. In some areas the FCC is offering free in-home installation services and walk-in centers to consumers who need technical assistance until the end of June, and in some locations, through July. The FCC’s call center will continue to be available to all consumers. For more information, call 1-888-CALL FCC or visit www.dtv.gov <http://www.dtv.gov/> .
Installing a converter box will NOT provide high-definition television (HDTV) on your analog TV. Installing a digital-to-analog converter box will not convert an analog TV to high-definition. HDTV is a digital broadcast format that provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Consumers may receive free, over-the-air HDTV programming if they have an HDTV compatible digital television. But even those who use an analog TV and converter box will usually find that their picture is better than it was with the old analog signal. The DTV transition will NOT affect TV sets that are connected to most pay TV services. Any television set that is connected to a paid cable or satellite service will NOT be affected by the transition. The DTV transition applies only to full-power broadcast television stations – stations that use the public airwaves to transmit their programming to viewers through a broadcast antenna. Satellite customers who receive local stations through an antenna, rather than by satellite, may be affected. Check with your provider. You do NOT need a special “digital ready” or “HD ready” antenna to receive DTV signals. DTV signals do not require a special antenna. Over-the-air DTV signals require the same type of antenna (i.e., rooftop, set-top) as analog signals. With digital, however, it’s critical that antennas receive both VHF and UHF signals. And consumers should check their existing rooftop antenna s for wear-and-tear caused by wind and weather and loose connections that could degrade performance. Weak reception that causes “snow” in analog could result in no digital picture at all: the digital “cliff effect.”
