January’s DTV Test: The Questions

Lots of questions following yesterday’s DTV test. Here’s a sampling.

Claire writes:
I am a cable subscriber (Broadstripe). When you ran your test Monday evening, two of my televisions showed only the color bars and the scrolling script.

Update: The General Manager of Broadstripe Cable posted to this blog that he expects his operation to have DTV reception up and running by the weekend of January 17.

Hi Claire. We’re aware of a problem with Broadstripe cable. They continue to receive our broadcast over analog. We’re trying to help resolve the situation, but ultimately it’s an issue with the cable provider. Further complicating matters is that Broadstripe recently filed for bankruptcy protection and have been somewhat less than responsive to some consumers I’ve heard from.
The only advice i can give is to contact Broadstripe to see when they will make the conversion to receive Baltimore stations over digital reception.

Carol writes:
I keep seeing a scroll on the bottom of the screen on your channel 11 saying you will be changing over before the Feb 17th date. How can you do this when everyone has until 2/17 to make the transfer?

That message you’re seeing is indicating that we’ll be reducing power on our analog broadcast, not shutting it off entirely. It’s necessary so we can be ready to make the transition on February 17. There may be some loss of picture quality on the analog broadcast, particularly in outlying areas, but we’ll still be broadcasting analog until February 17.

David writes:
I ordered two and recieved two coupons in the late spring. My mother-in-law ,who is a widow, had a severe stroke. Our family had to tend to this issue first and the coupons were the least of our worries. They have since expired and the gov web site thats it,no more.

Hi David,

Unfortunately, right now there is no way to reactivate or reissue expired coupons. The best advice directly from the FCC is to have a friend or relative who has not ordered coupons already do so for you. They can be easily passed from one person to another. They’re not tied to the name or address that ordere them. I’m afraid for now that’s the only option.
Further complicating matters is that the DTV coupon program has run out of money. You can get on the waiting list at the website dtv2009.gov, but new coupons only be mailed as old ones expire. It will likely be weeks before coupons are received.

Not the best answer, I’m afraid, but that’s the situation as it stands now.

Jacqueline writes:
Will you be providing another opportunity to your viewers to test their sets prior 02/17/09?

My understanding is that there are currently no plans for another DTV test.
If you use an antenna to pick up local stations, you can conduct your own test by trying to tune your TV to channel 11-2.
That’s our 24-hour weather channel. If you can see that channel, you’re definitely seeing digital TV and are ready for the transition.
If you have cable, satellite or fios TV, you’re “exempt” from the test anyway. Those viewers are definitely ready.

Laurel writes:
On a windy or rainy day digital reception is not good; we often switch to analog. The picture breaks up or freezes.
The technology the FCC selected for digital TV is somewhat more sensitive to the reflected radio signals caused by things like trees blowing in the wind. A directional rooftop antenna aimed directly at Baltimore may help your digital TV tuner compensate better.

Robin writes:
During your 5:45 broadcast I decided to check out my new DTV Converter Box/ Zenith901. My television is only 9 y/o and I still received the colored lines. Will I also need an antenna?

Hi Robin,
I think your TV was probably tuned to channel 11. To use the new converter box, you need to be sure it’s on and that your TV is tuned to channel 3. (Unless you use the A/V cables to connect the box to the TV, in which case you would tune the TV to the video input selection)

You’d then select channel 11-1 using the remote that came with the DTV box.

Pat writes:
I have installed my converter box and let the system automatically find the stations. Unfortunately, WBAL has a “No Signal” message. I know that the station is digital. What do I do?

Hi Pat,
In Baltimore, you’re close enough that reorienting your antenna may bring us in. I’d try giving that antenna a tweak and rescanning.
That said, right now our digital broadcast is licensed only for a signal strength that’s somewhat less that some of the other stations. We’ll be at full power after the final transition, so if you’re getting other stations now, you’ll likely receive us just fine after the switch.

Don in Chestertown writes:
Just watched the dtv test you did say the coloered bars does this mean I need to get a convert box or can I call my local cable company?

You could do either. For TV’s that are not digital-ready, there are 3 options.

1. Purchase a converter box and connect it to the TV
2. Subscribe to cable, satellite or fios
3. Purchase a new tv with a digital tuner.

Stephen writes:
We have a converter box hooked up- lights on etc but still got the bars!

Hi Stephen,
Sometimes these converters have a “standby” light that comes on when the device is off. Confusing, I know.

Also, if you saw bars, that means your TV set must have been tuned to channel 11. It should be set to channel 3 (or the “video input” if the converter is connected with A/V cables). You’d tune to channel 11 by selecting 11-1 with the remote that came with the converter box.

Jen in Baltimore writes:
We just bought a new HD TV and a new antennea that receives HD. We do not have any type of cable service. However, when you just did your test our new HD TV showed the same colored bar signal as our other tv’s. Should we have scanned the channels or is something wrong with our new TV?

Hi Jen,

Digital TV’s are also capable of tuning to analog TV channels. If you were watching us on the analog channel 11 last night, you would’ve seen the bars even though your TV is prepared for digital.

Be sure to use the remote to tune to channel 11-1. If it doesn’t come in, you may need to go to the menu to do an “autoscan” so the TV can find where all the digital channels are located.