Still confused? You are not alone. I’m hearing from many of you with the most recent questions coming due to the economy: “do I have to pay for cable or satellite to get a t.v. signal after February 17th?”
No.
Here’s the options: If you have an old t.v.; with what will be the old analog signal—- you need a converter box. It handles the signal change and allows you to keep using your old t.v. News 3 has an exclusive partnership with Consumer Reports and a recent test of more than 30 converter boxes shows all receiving an o.k. rating. Three were picked as offering the best quality and price: 1) Alpha Digital AT2016 @ $55.00 2) Tivax STB-T9 @ $50.00 and 3) Access HD-DTA 1010D @ $60.00. Each offers closed captioning, a remote, ease when adding new channels, control buttons on the box and includes an AV cable. The government continues to offer $40.00 coupons to fulfill new requests; however, the program is in need of funding and currently lost, stolen or expired coupons will not be replaced. The other choice is for those of you with a newer High Definition television. If you have HD-TV you can use a UHF-VHF antenna to get your picture. This works because most stations broadcast on the UHF frequency. A basic model costs around $20.00 at an electronics store. Finally; if you are already paying for cable or satellite– you are all set. The subscription services will handle the transition for you.
This switch is federally mandated and will help open lines for emergency services use. Congress voted to push the change-over date to June; but all television stations in the Madison area will still transition in February. A survey indicates most viewers are aware and prepared for the change. It also allows our station to cease the operation and expense of both a digital and analog tower. And something I see as a big plus—- you’ll be able to watch News 3 at 9 on T.V.W.-My Madison T.V. (Cable/satellite channel 14 or digital 3.2) This change makes the T.V.W.-My Madison T.V. signal available on most t.v. sets; but still depending on which way your are receiving your digital signal.
Still have questions?? I can try to help or you can go to this website: www.dtv2009.gov
See you on T.V.! Teri tbarr@wisctv.com
Dear Teri,
I am sorry that I have to say goodbye to Channel 3. It appears that here in the middle of Janesville we are not in the Channel 3 service area for digital tv. Although on one set I can sometimes get the digital signal, on my other set I cannot get it at all. I wonder how many others will be disconnected because of the signal type change even though they have digital tvs or digital conversion boxes.
Judy
madcityhd.com
Janesville is in the signal range… It is received with good signal in Waukesha and Adams-Friendship.
You need a UHF outdoor antenna and put it in attic or mount oudoors.
More help is here: madcityhd.com
Didn’t they delay the transition until the summer?
Hi Kristie:
Your comment just showed up on my blog so I apologize for my delayed response. The transition is officially moved to June per instructions of the Federal Government. However; all t.v. stations were also given the choice to continue with the analog to digital switch— if each felt prepared to do so. It’s the case in Madison; as only FOX is still on its old analog signal. Here at WISC-TV; we’ve been broadcasting from two transmitters, one analog, one digital. We hoped it would help our viewers get adjusted if we offered a little more time to them. The analog signal was turned off two weeks ago and we are now all digital. It’s also important to note; it’s really expensive to continue using the two different transmitters. And in this economic-crunch; moving to just one will help us stay within our budgets means!
Hope this helps answer your question! Thanks for commenting via my blog!