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On-air
DPTV Digital
From the FCC
 The DTV Transition and Viewers Along U.S. Borders Troubleshooting Guide for Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes and Digital TVs Consumer Advisory - Digital-To-Analog Converter Box - Selected Features FAQs Facts Glossary
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Digital Television Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's happening in February 2009?
A. The Federal Government is requiring all U.S. TV stations to convert to digital television (DTV) and turn off their analog signals in February 2009. This means you must buy a new digital TV set or a converter for your analog TV to receive a digital signal. Before purchasing a new set, please do your homework. Here are related web sites that may help. Q. What is DTV?
A. DTV is "digital television," a new form of broadcasting that delivers top quality audio and video programming to viewers over the air as well as the ability to transmit four or more standard definition programs simultaneously. With digital technology, enhanced programming and data transmission capability make it easy to provide electronic program guides, multilanguage audio, closed captioning, and other useful features. Q. What are High Definition Television (HDTV), Multicasting and Standard
Definition Widescreen (SDW)?
A. High-definition television (HDTV) is a digital television broadcasting system with a significantly higher resolution than traditional formats and offers CD-quality audio in a widescreen 16 x 9 format. With digital television (DTV) a station can provide multiple channels, a process called multicasting. Detroit Public Television multicasts 3 digital channels - HDTV on 56.1 and standard definition channels 56.2 and 56.3. SDW simply refers to programs shot in the widescreen format with normal picture resolution. On today's TV sets, these programs are usually aired in a "letterbox" format. Q. How can I receive Detroit Public TV's digital signal?
A. Detroit Public TV is transmitting a digital signal on Channel 43 (644-650 MHz) as assigned by the FCC. Our digital signal generally shows up on television receivers as Channels 56.1, 56.2, and 56.3 on those televisions that receive our signal over the air. Channel locations for cable and satellite will vary by provider. You cannot receive the signal with your traditional analog set unless you purchase a set-top converter box. $40 coupons are available to help cover the cost. To get the full benefit of DTV (enhanced programming, high-definition pictures, surround-sound, etc.) you will need a new DTV-capable set. Q. How much is Detroit Public TV's digital conversion costing?
A. In its first phase of digital broadcasting (approximately 1.5 million), Detroit Public Television gained the ability to transmit a digital signal, but without some of digital's more sophisticated features. It will require an additional $8 million for Detroit Public TV to add more features and to produce original programming in digital formats. More Answers
On May 20th, 2008, WNEM-TV/Bay City-Saginaw conducted an "Ask The Expert" segment on the digital transition. Station News Director Ian Rubin said the response was overwhelming and disrupted telephone service at the station.
The most common questions that were asked included "How can I get the coupons?", "I have cable (or satellite), do I need a converter box?", "What do I need to use my VCR?", plus many more. Download the complete list of questions and answers.
For more information on multicasting, enhanced programming, datacasting
and related links, visit PBS Online's Digital
TV site.
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