NewsChannel 15 Guide to
Digital Television

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - It's being hailed as the biggest change in the television industry since black-and-white signals became color, and it takes places soon!  In February of 2009, broadcasters like WANE-TV will no longer broadcast both a digital and analog signal.  Instead, only a digital signal will be transmitted.  That means you may need some extra equipment in the form of a Digital Converter Box if you have an analog TV.

You'll need one if both the following criteria are met:

1.)  If your television set is not digital, is not high definition.  Check your owner's manual to be sure.

     AND

2.)  If you rely on an antenna for any part of your television signal.

     Example 1:  you use an antenna for your entire signal.
     Example 2:  you use satellite/cable for most channels, but use antenna for local channels.
     Example 3:  you use satellite/cable for most channels, but have one tv set that relies on an antenna.

Viewers who meet those two criteria will need to purchase a converter box to make sure they continue watching television after February 17, 2009.

Despite some conflicting reports, customers who use cable, satellite, or Verizon Fios service as their sole signal do not need to purchase a converter box.

Converter boxes cost any where from $40 to $100, but the government will pay $40 of that cost, if you apply for a coupon.  They are first-come, first-serve, and are not based on income.

How to apply for the coupon:

 

1.)   click here to go to the website
2.)  call (888) DTV-2009 (that's 888-388-2009)
3.)  write the following address:
               TV Converter Box Program
               P. O. Box 2000
               Portland, OR 97208-2000

The coupons are mailed on in bulk a staggered basis, meaning they are not mailed out once they are processed.  For some people, that can mean up to three months of waiting before the coupon actually arrives in the mail.

Coupons cannot be printed or downloaded from the Government website, and are not available to pick up at retail stores.

Once the coupon does arrive, it expires about 90 days after you receive it, meaning the earlier you use it, the better.  The coupon also comes with additional information, including names and locations of area national and local retailers that will accept the coupon.  An informational sheet also comes in the mailing, which includes brands and models that are eligible for the coupon.

Each store has different brands, models, and prices, costing anywhere from $40 to $100; that means after the coupon, your box could be anywhere from free to $60.  Again, pricing depends on models and features.

The government recommends that you call ahead to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes at the store on the day you plan to shop.

Possible Converter Box Scams:

With every big project, there always seems to be a scam involved, and the Better Business Bureau is warning of one that's taking place across the country, and is actually based out of Ohio.

"We've been getting a lot of reports throughout the country on Universal TechTronics.  They ran a big full page ad in the Fort Wayne Newspapers, and in all the newspapers across the country claiming that consumers will get a free converter box.  That is not true," said Marjorie Stephens of the Better Business Bureau.

Stephens says it's not true because of that all-important fine print.

"You have to pay $59 for a five-year warranty on this box.  And there's no need for that," Stephens said.

That's because the government will send you $40 coupons for the converter boxes.  Those hit stores early this winter, but be prepared before you head out:  many stores are either running low, or are completely sold out.

"I don' think anybody realized the demand that would occur on these boxes in June and July and August of this year.  Everybody was expecting the big push to be in November, December, and January.  Demand has way exceeded supply," said Ed Bouwsma of Stucky Brothers.

Benefits of the Converter Box:

While the box isn't needed until February of 2009, you can use the box immediately after you receive it, and can benefit from the enhanced signal.

"Visually, it will look similar to DVD-type quality pictures, and the sound will be crystal-clear, CD-quality sound," said WANE-TV Chief Engineer Mark Johnson.

While all Fort Wayne stations are broadcasting in digital already, signal strengths will vary.  The FCC will allow WANE-TV to broadcast at full digital capacity in 2009, which will be one million watts... one of the strongest, most powerful signals around!  That means currently, WANE-TV is not broadcasting in full digital power yet, as per the FCC, and some people may or may not receive a strong digital signal from WANE-TV until February of 2009, when the FCC will allow full-power digital broadcasts.

Working together to keep everyone informed:

In an effort to keep everyone informed, area TV general managers took the rare move to combine forces for a new