DTV Television
For the latest information on DTV please visit these sites. http://www.dtv.gov/index.html or the NAB site at http://www.dtvanswers.com/ for converter boxes http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html The Coupon program is now up and running here www.dtv2009.gov you can apply today!
WTJR is now transmitting digital television (DTV) on local channel 32. (Appearing as 16.1 on your television)* DTV offers a number of advantages over analog broadcasting. Such as a clearer and sharper picture, no reception ghosting, improved sound and on screen television listings. And coming soon to WTJR multiple channels of Christian television such as channel 32.1 , 32.2, 32.3, 32.4! Right now WTJR is transmitting Standard Definition (SD) Television signals on its DTV channel. But as HDTV source material (programs) become available they may be presented also.
WTJR will continue to broadcast on analog channel 16 and digital channel 32 for a number of years to allow our viewers the opportunity to migrate to digital television.
What is required to view digital television? For many it may be as simple as adding a black box much like a cable box to your existing television. Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.
Another option is buying a new television with a built in DTV tuner. The price of digital television equipment is falling rapidly.
During this transitional period WTJR will be required to operate two full power television stations.
This increases our operating expenses, also new DTV equipment will need to installed and maintained.
Please pray for us that we can continue to broadcast the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And Prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with the station.
We are supported by viewers like you.
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Videos with More information:
DTV is Coming are You Ready? Video from the FCC (real player required)
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Time Table:
“The digital TV transition has finally entered the home stretch
Until the transition to digital television is complete, TV stations will continue broadcasting on their analog channels while phasing in digital broadcasts on a separate DTV channel. Several years ago, the FCC established a timetable for terrestrial (over-the-air) broadcasters to convert to DTV. While many stations missed earlier deadlines, most commercial and public TV stations are currently broadcasting digitally at least part of the time.
Earlier deadlines weren’t strictly enforced, but everyone seems to be taking the recently proposed 2009 analog shutoff date more seriously. A substantial amount of money is involved , the analog bandwidth that has been occupied by TV broadcasters will be auctioned off and is expected to generate billions of dollars for the government. You should be aware of the following dates:
July 1, 2006: As part of the FCC’s “tuner mandate,” all TV sets with screens measuring 25″ or larger must include an over-the-air digital tuner. Note: this rule doesn’t apply to “monitor” displays which lack any type of built-in tuner.
December 31, 2006: This was the FCC’s original target “analog shut-off date” when all TV stations would have been required to turn off their analog signals. However, the proposal included a loophole that allowed the deadline to be extended until most homes (85%) in an area were capable of watching digital TV programs. This deadline is no longer in effect.
March 1, 2007: The final requirement of the tuner mandate calls for all TVs with screens measuring 13″ or larger to include an over-the-air digital tuner. Again, this won’t apply to monitor displays.
February 17, 2009: In legislation passed in early Feb. 2006, the U.S. Congress chose this date for the “analog shut-off,” when all TV stations would be required to turn off their analog signals and broadcast only digital signals. The measure is part of the budget bill, which was signed into law by President Bush.
If 2009 rolls around and you still don’t own a digital TV, don’t worry , you won’t be left staring at a dark screen. Any TV connected to a cable or satellite set-top box should continue to work just fine. Plus, all versions of the analog shutoff legislation proposed so far have included significant funds at least a billion dollars or so earmarked for helping owners of analog TVs purchase inexpensive converter boxes that would allow them to view over-the-air digital broadcasts on their old TVs. ” 1*
1* (More information and source material here.)
* Channel 32 equals 16.1 why?
Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) is data that is transmitted along with a station’s DTV signal that tells DTV receivers important information about the station and what is being broadcast. The most important function of PSIP is to provide a method for DTV receivers to identify a DTV station and to determine how a receiver can tune to it. PSIP identifies both the DTV channel and the associated NTSC (analog) channel. It helps maintain the current channel branding because DTV receivers will electronically associate the two channels making it easy for viewers to tune to the DTV station even if they do not know the channel number.
In addition to identifying the channel number, PSIP tells the receiver whether multiple program channels are being broadcast and, if so, how to find them. It identifies whether the programs are closed captioned, conveys V-chip information, if data is associated with the program, and much more. If broadcasters do not include properly encoded PSIP data in their DTV signals, receivers may not correctly identify and tune to the station. Therefore, it is vital that all broadcasters understand PSIP and include the data in their DTV stations signals. PSIP is a mandatory Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Standard.
http://www.psip.org/psip_reasons.html
FCC DTV Education Reports can be found in our online public file located here
www.wtjr.org/publicfile/
Frequently asked Questions:
The steps necessary for an over-the-air viewer or a subscriber to cable or satellite to continue viewing the station after the transition?
A newer TV or converter box.
Changes in the geographic area or population served by the station during or after the transition?
Right now WTJR DTV is at 80% of its coverage area this should increase to at least 100% after transition.
The channel on which the station can be viewed after the transition?
WTJR-DTV is on channel 32 but will show up as 16.1 after you do a channel scan.
Whether the station will be providing multiple streams of free video programming during
or after the transition? WTJR plans to have up to 4 channels.
Whether the station will be providing a High Definition signal during or after the transition?
At this time no, the programs we air are not high definition but still are high quality.
The exact date and time that the station will cease analog broadcasting,if it has not already
done so; and the exact date and time that the station will begin digital broadcasting on its posttransition channel, if it has not already done so?
WTJR is transmitting full power Digital television right now and plans to shut off channel 16 analog on February 17 2009.
More information : WTJR Studio 220 North Sixth Street
Quincy Illinois 62301. Phone: 217-228-1616 Email : tv16@wt j r.org Websit e:
www.wtjr.org FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) Phone 1-888-DTV-2009, www.DTV.gov
