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Digital TV
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Q: Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over-the-air?
A: If you are able to receive News 13 on your antenna now, the same antenna generally will work to receive News 13 DTV. You should not have to purchase a new antenna that is marked as “digital ready” or “HD ready.”
Q: Will my VCR, DVD player, camcorder, video games console still work with a DTV receiver?
A: Yes. Digital television sets are “backward compatible,” meaning existing analog equipment (VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video games, etc.) will work on digital TV sets.
Q: I subscribe to cable. Do I have to purchase a DTV set to see News 13 after Feb. 17, 2009?
A: No. Cable and Satellite operators will provide the same service as you have been seeing for a few more years, and our Engineers are working with the cable companies to insure you will still have as good quality as we have been providing you for the past 54 years.
Q: Cable and satellite operators offer a digital package. Is this the same as HDTV?
A: No. “Digital” and high definition programming are not the same. If you want to watch HDTV programming on cable or satellite, you will need to subscribe to your providers HDTV package and view the programming on an HDTV set. You may also need a settop box or new satellite dish to view HDTV programming.
Q: I notice HDTV is transmitting “Dolby 5.1 channels of audio.” Will my present Surround Sound System work with this, and what is 5.1 anyway?
A: Yes. Dolby 5.1 means that it is designed to meet Dolby Surround Sound requirements for your equipment. The “.1” is the area of the digital signal that News 13 transmits special information to your DTV set in the form of “TV Guide” type information and to tell you what channel you are viewing. (Channel 13.1 or 13.2)
Q: I have been hearing about my television programs on News 13 going away on Feb. 17, 2009. What must I do to continue to see News 13 after this date? I have an antenna on top of my house.
A: You will need to at least have a converter box attached to your old TV, or a new DTV set. If you are using either of these devices to watch the DTV signal we are presently transmitting, you will also need to “re-scan” your channel settings, as many stations (including News 13) will be changing to our permanent channel assignment given to us by the Federal Communications Commission on this date.
Q: I am looking to purchase a DTV, but I am confused by the meaning of 720 P, 1080 I, and1080 P. What is all this about and which one should I select?
A: The I means Interlaced scanning and P means Progressive scanning. The numbers means the lines that are seen on the face of your TV set. All of this is very technical, but unless you are a “techie” an easy way to remember this is: I means “inexpensive” and P means “pricier” Here is an example, your old TV (with its poorer quality) is transmitting 465 I (interlaced). The new DTV sets look much better in P (progressive scan). It is really is not necessary to go the extra expense of 1080 P unless you are a serious home game player. In over the air DTV, 720 P is a very good choice to view DTV.
Proper Disposal of Analog TVs
1. Check out the DHEC recycling map to see whether electronics recycling is offered in your community. Go to http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/recycle/counties.htm
2. Be aware that while some counties and towns accept electronics at their landfills, most do not.
3. If your area doesn't offer electronics collection, contact your local recycling coordinator to determine (or even encourage) whether the town will hold a collection event (much like Christmas tree recycling). Whether it's a one-time event or held regularly during the DTV changeover period, such an effort can go a long way toward preventing potentially hazardous waste from reaching our landfills.
4. Some popular manufacturers are already green-conscious. For instance, Samsung, Sony and LG have their own electronics "take-back" programs.
ALL TELEVISION AND CONVERTER BOXES that receive ALL television stations including News 13 via an antenna (outside or indoor rabbit ears); will REQUIRE A RESCAN on June 13th to continue working properly. News 13 along with many other stations will be transitioning to the new Digital Television Standards at midnight June 12th. Without a fresh re-scan on June 13th, you will not receive many (if any) television stations, including News 13. This refresh scan will allow your TV or Converter box to “learn” the new DTV transmitting plan.
IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO A CABLE OR SATELLITE COMPANY FOR YOUR TELEVISON SERVICE, YOU WILL NOT DO A RESCAN. THE PROVIDER WILL DO THIS FOR YOU.
These are the steps that most TV’s and Converter boxes require to get the update.
DTV Ready Television:
1. Turn on the set and press menu on the remote control
2. While looking at the selections in the menu section, you will want to locate “channel scan or auto channel setup”
3. Follow the instructions to proceed to the channel scan operation and after a short period of time the screen will return to normal.
4. Test the channels you have received. News 13 should be one of these. If you see News 13, you will also see the other stations in the area.
5. This will conclude the re-scan of your DTV ready set.
Converter Boxes:
1. Turn the television set on and set the television tuner to either channel 3 or 4.
2. Turn on the converter box. The television screen should now be quite and have either text telling you to scan the converter box or a picture. If the picture is not clear with silent audio, on the television, tune the television set to the other channel (3 or 4). After you determine which channel is the correct one for your converter box, you will not need to change the television again, as channel changing is now performed with the CONVERTER BOX REMOTE CONTROL.
3. On the CONVERTER remote control, press menu. ( some converter remote controls say setup)
4. From the selections on the screen, highlight by moving the up / down keys on the CONVERTER remote control until you have selected Scan Channels.
5. You will see text (and sometimes a bar graph or a percentage number) displayed on the television while the scanning is in progress.
6. After the scanning is completed, use the channel up / down button to “surf” each channel for all the local stations. If you are seeing News 13, you have successfully scanned your Converter.
7. Remember, you will always leave your TV on the channel (3 or 4) and use your CONVERTER remote control to change the channels.
8. This will conclude your re-scan of your converter box.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING WHILE RECEIVING WITH AN ANTENNA (rabbit ears or outside antenna)
1. The antenna will have to be able to receive VHF Channels 7 thru 13, and UHF channels 14 to 50. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LABLED HDTV. THEY ARE ALL THE SAME.
2. If the outside antenna is turned to the transmitting station tower via a rotor box, you may have to reposition the rotor and re-scan several times to you get all your channels.
3. The same situation applies to the rabbit ears, except your hands will do the repositioning of the elements and turning the entire antenna till you get the most stations. Each time you do this you will need to re-scan to let your converter box or TV learn the new station it is picking up.
4. You may loose some stations and gain different stations after you turn the antenna, you must carefully turn the antenna and re-scan each time in an effort to reach the most stations at your home location.
5. If the antenna received News 13’s original analog signal, it will most likely receive the new Digital 13 signal too.
6. News 13’s Transmitter as well as most others is located in Dillon South Carolina. Your outside antenna should be pointed in this direction.
7. A website www.antennaweb.org is a very helpful website that will give you the exact distance from the transmitter site and the direction you should point your antenna to receive the best signals.
ARTICLE: FCC pushing 'double re-scan' to solve some DTV issues
The Federal Communications Commission is working on consumer-based fixes for reception problems, including promoting what it is calling the "double-rescan."
