As I write this, it’s one day and about sixteen hours to go for WIVB and WNLO to shut down our analog transmitters. But did you know that not everyone in this market will shut down at the same time?

If you’re keeping score:

WIVB-TV, WNLO and WKBW-TV are all shutting down analog service at 9:00AM Friday, June 12th.

WPXJ is expected to end analog operations at 9:00AM. At the same time, it will begin digital operations on UHF channel 23 (when WNLO analog vacates that channel).

WGRZ-TV is scheduled to cease analog programming at 1:00PM on Friday. However, they will maintain what is called a “Nighlight” service for two weeks after that. This service is a loop of informational programming that gives details on the DTV transition and tips on how to receive digital transmission on your set.

UPDATE: WNYO-TV will cease analog operations at 11:00AM Friday morning. They will then “Flash Cut” their current digital assignment from UHF channel 34 to UHF channel 49.

As you know, WNED-TV and WUTV have already ceased analog operations earlier this year.

We want to stress that you do a fresh channel scan sometime after these changes to ensure that your receiver finds any channel changes that may have occured.

Just a reminder that if you are experiencing difficulty with your converter setup, you can get help locally. Free help is available for basic converter installation. That is a converter with an indoor antenna. For help with outside antennas, premium help is also available for an extra charge.

For help, call 1-800-582-4250.

Seven days to go and President Obama warned Americans that they need to be prepared.

This from Reuters:

President Barack Obama warned Americans on Thursday who have not prepared for the June 12 transition to digital television that their TVs could go dark if they do not get a converter box soon.

It’s crunch time. There is very little time left. Are you ready?

As the push for the final digital transition reaches its final days, the local FCC Field Office is once again holding two walk-in help centers this weekend. These clinics will be held at local K-Mart stores on Saturday and Sunday, June 6th and 7th. The purpose is to assist with online converter coupon applications and also to demonstrate converter hook ups as well as answer any questions you may have.

On Saturday, June 6th, they will be at the K-Mart at 1001 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo. On Sunday the clinic will be at the K-Mart at 2590 Military Road in Niagara Falls. Hours for both will be 10AM to 4PM.

Look for WIVB Engineering personnel to be there helping out with technical questions.

WIVB and WNLO, as well as the other Buffalo TV stations still broadcasting in analog, will participate in a voluntary series of tests to run this Thursday, May 21st at several times during the day. Actually “test” is not a relevant term anymore. These are really long form announcements meant to raise awareness of the need to check your readiness for the end of analog broadcasting on June 12, less than a month away.

As in past “tests”, a visual graphic, along with a voice announcement, will air on analog channels only. If you see the announcement and are using an antenna to watch television, you are likely not ready for the digital conversion. (There are circumstances where you will legitimately see the announcement such as if you are watching our analog channel on your HD TV set. However, since you have an HD set, you are ready for the transition. If you are confused about seeing the announcement but think you are ready, don’t hesitate to ask questions here or call the station.)

Look for the tests at 7:28 AM, 12:28 PM and at 6:28 PM.

We’re happy to finally be able to announce that free help is available for some of our disadvantaged viewers. You may be entitled to converter installation help at no charge. Read the story in the Buffalo News here.

Be sure to call the toll-free number, 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) to see if you qualify.

As part of a nationwide effort by the FCC, the local FCC office is holding walk-in DTV Help Centers this week at certain K-Mart stores. We spent the afternoon and early evening with them at the store on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo yesterday and they helped many people sign up for converter coupons. As representatives of WIVB, we had the chance to chat with a lot of folks and offer advice and assistance on how to hook up the converters. We always enjoy talking with viewers and I believe it was very productive.

If you want to take advantage of the walk-in clinic, they will be at K-Mart stores the rest of this week. Here’s a list of locations and times:

Tuesday, May 12th – K-Mart at 349 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca (noon to 8PM)

Wednesday, May 13th – K-Mart at 2590 Military Rd, Niagara Falls (noon to 8PM)

Thursday, May 14th – K-Mart at 8363 Lewiston Rd, Batavia (noon to 8PM)

Friday, May 15th – K-Mart at 1460 French Rd, Depew (noon to 8PM)

The representatives from the FCC will be assisting with coupon applications and we will be there to help answer questions about converters and the DTV transition. There is also a great booklet being handed out with DTV information and simple diagrams describing how to hook up various components with your converter such as VCR’s and DVD players.

We hope to see you there.

Only 2.1%, or 2.1 million, U.S. TV households have yet to take steps to prepare for the June 12 DTV transition, according to a survey by SmithGeiger LLC for the NAB. The NAB’s estimate takes into account households that are completely ready for the transition and ones that have requested or received a converter-box coupon. Nielsen, which measures preparedness based on what would happen if the transition took place now, estimates the number of DTV-unready households at 3.1%, or 3.5 million.

The complete story is at TVNewsday. Are you ready?

Gary Sgrignoli may know as much about DTV transmission — its strengths, its weaknesses, its quirks —  as any person alive.

We’ve been preaching about the need for a good antenna for solid DTV reception for a long time now. Read Gary Sgrinoli’s article in TVNewsday. Warning: it’s quite technical at times.

We’ve learned that the FCC has launched a new website full of interactive tools and advice for viewers of digital television. Go to www.dtv.gov to find out more.

It’s a one-stop-shop where you can link to converter coupon applications, find a retailer near you selling converters, advice on how to install converters, tips on fixing reception issues and more including an interactive map tool which will show you if you can receive our digital signal in your home.

Check it out.