Did you pass the test?
January 18th, 2009 at 6:46 pm by Dennis Majewicz under TV Tech Talk
Well, the second analog shutdown soft test came and went. How did you do?
We had a number of volunteers from WIVB and WNLO at the call center and, judging by the number of calls compared to December’s test, I think more Wester New Yorkers are prepared for the upcoming transition. We had roughly half the calls that we had in December and I think that’s a good sign.
It was a pleasure to talk to all the viewers who called and I hope we reassured them that it’s easy to prepare for the digital future of television.
What were your experiences? Please comment here.
-dm
Tags: DTV Transition
I was all ready except for one television; and I have my converter box card but when I got to Walmart to purchase one. That is when they told me it was expired…so I just put it back until a later date. But today as I am searching the web I see where some sites were saying they want to fix this expiration date issue. Have you heard anything about that? or should I just go back and purchase it out of pocket…good thing it is just my bedroom television
Janine,
We don’t have any firm information yet on what reforms you’ll see in the coupon program. While it’s expired and not usable today, I would suggest you don’t throw the coupon away in case you can use it in the future.
Check this site for some information on the state of the coupon program:
http://tinyurl.com/a38k
-dm
I have a couple of questions, I live in the southern tier about 30 miles from your transmitter, We have DTV ready television with an out side antenna and it failed the test what type of outside antenna do we need,or do we need a converter box? Reception down here is not always the best. The second question I have is my neighbor has the same problem but with a analog tv I connected the converter box and ran the scan during the test and nothing came on the tv. Does she need a different outside antenna? Both antennas are kind of old and the only stations we get are 2,4,& 7 no 23 or 29 can you help or are we doomed?
Jeff,
One of the more confusing aspects of the test was the chance that a viewer was watching an analog channel on a digital ready TV. If you were watching channel 4.0 rather than 4.1, you were seeing an analog channel and thus the message which said you weren’t ready. If you can receive channel 4.1 (or for that matter 2.1, 7.1, etc) you don’t have to worry.
Since you say reception is not always great at your location, you will need to address your antenna situation. An old outdoor antenna will not be adequate for solid reception of digital TV if you are distant from our transmitter (or have hilly terrain in the way). A good outdoor antenna, as high in the air as you can get it (professionally installed, of course), with new coaxial cable (we recommend RG-6) will help immensely. We have viewers in the deep southern tier and northern PA, so we know it’s possible to receive us reliably. Be sure, also, that the antenna is capable of UHF reception, as we are all currently on UHF channels for our digital signals.
The same idea goes for your neighbor.
Also, keep in mind that all the Buffalo stations are currently on the air with a digital signal and all are at full power.
-dm
thanks
The new OTA digital signals are more directional than the analog OTA signals. These digital OTA signals still have to come to your TV through a UHF/ Hi-VHF antenna that is capable of receiving channels 7 – 69 and your current antenna may need some upgrading if it is worn, damaged or if it is simply not capable of receiving channels within the new digital broadcast spectrum. If your antenna equipment has been compromised by age, corrosion or physical damages, you may only be able to pick up a few of the stronger local digital stations instead of the 30, 40, 50 or more that will be broadcasting digital OTA signals in the near future.
Visit http://www.jmsdigital.ca to see the 3 antenna types that are specifically designed to provide optimum digital reception and to see the digital channel allotments for the Ontario, Buffalo, Erie border towns.
I have 3 Tv’s 2 are with Directv and the 3rd one has the converter box.The problem is th one tv Passed the first test,but didn’t pass the second test. HELP.Thankyou, Paul Wright.
Paul,
You shouldn’t have any problems with the transition. Keep in mind that if you were watching an analog channel at the time of the test, you would have seen the message even if you are digital ready.
-dm
We hooked up the converter box for my Mom who lives in Orchard Park, NY Abbott and Lake Ave. area, so not rural. We get about 4 channels, but do not get the local 2,4 or 7. There is no signal strength at all for them. The 4 or 5 channels we get (WNED, WNLO) have a strength of about 75. We exchanged the box and bought a new antenna from Radio Shack. We even had the guy from Radio Shack come over and he told us he has never seen this problem. My Mom basically only watches the local channels. What can we do?? Thanks…
Mary Ann,
I hate to sound like a broken record but most of the converter issues we’ve seen have been due to poor antenna systems. If you’re using an indoor antenna, consider an amplified one. You may need an outdoor antenna. Try moving the antenna around a bit. That may help. And remember to do a channel scan after you’ve moved the antenna or replaced it.
dm
Like Jeff and his neighbor I live in the Southern Tier, but farther down. I have a box, but get “no signal” after multiple scans and installation confirmation. Before I buy anything more I want to be sure that I’m reading the information correctly. I get fair VHF, but no UHF reception with my current antenna. Can the new antenna be UHF only? Would there be any benefit to that or will I miss some channels that way? Is there a UHF amplifier or something that might help and be easier to install? Thanks!
Kathy,
You can use a UHF-only antenna. I’m not sure if Erie stations are going to be on VHF with digital (I don’t think they are) but the only station you might miss is WNGS which will be on channel 7 after the analog shutdown. You may not be able to receive them anyway. You can use an amplifier with the antenna. Check with a retailer or antenna specialist to see what would work in your area. A good antenna and cable is key to good reception.
dm
Also having the same problem as Jeff, really can’t attempt to go out on the roof right now to adjust out outside antenna. We get 2, 4, and 7 now without the converter box, but are having a hard time trying to get it to work with the box.
I live in the southern tier,(near jamestown) in a valley and have an outdoor antenna with a rotor. We purchased a new tv for christmas and figured we were ready, but failed both dtv tests. But I can get 26.1 TCT if I move the antenna just right. Are you broadcasting in dtv now, on a different station that I can set the TV to and move the antenna to see if I will recieve the signal. I read that dtv reception is spotter then analoge, is this right?
Tracie,
Digital reception can be spotty but the antenna is the key for most viewers. If your antenna is an older one with broken elements you will need to replace it. Similarly, if the coaxial cable is not RG-6 you need to upgrade it. All of the Buffalo stations are transmitting in digital now.
dm
My Dad has a 25 year old rooftop antenna that probably needs to be replaced since he can’t get a single digital channel off it (eventually got one when we upgraded to RG6 coax cable between the preamp and the DTV converter box). His house is located about 70 miles away from the TV transmitters. My Dad is also 88 years old and shouldn’t be replacing antennas by himself, yet finding a professional antenna installer is not easy these days. If I buy a replacement antenna for him, where can I find someone to climb up on my Dad’s roof and replace the antenna?
Tom,
Where is your Dad located?