Unless you have been living in a cave or under a log, you are most likely aware that analog television will cease shortly. What many people don’t understand is that although all analog broadcasting must end by June 12th, individual television stations may choose to end it at anytime before that.
A case in point is WNEP TV, the ABC affiliate in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre market. A couple of days ago, WNEP announced they would be holding to the original termination date of February 17th, ending analog broadcasting. Now for many, those who have a new HDTV, a dish or cable or those who live in the Northern portions of Susquehanna County it may not make a difference.
However, there are a fair number of people who, for one reason or another, have not purchased a new HDTV or do not have cable or a dish and do care about the continued reception of WNEP. Why, you ask?
Simply put, WNEP is the most watched TV station in Northeastern, PA. One of their account executives recently told me that the CBS and NBC affiliates (WYOU and WBRE) combined do not have the viewership of WNEP. Traditionally, WNEP has covered news, sports and other events in Susquehanna County with greater regularity than either or both of the other two previously mentioned. In short, this facility is generally thought of as a staple of information in Susquehanna County.
Unfortunately, those who haven’t upgraded their TV set yet, or have purchased a converter box (with or without a government issued coupon) will be watching static on Channel 16 after Tuesday.
For those who like WYOU and WBRE (Channels 22 & 28), don’t feel left out, they just announced they will not be transmitting an analog signal after Tuesday as well.
If you watch WBNG (Channel 12) from Binghamton in analog, you will probably see the same thing after February 17th - static.
So, what you need to do, if you haven’t already, is to get a converter box (about $50) or a new HDTV for a whole lot more, or get a dish or subscribe to cable.
One other note on over the air, digital broadcasting, if you are down in a valley, or behind a hill (much of Susquehanna County), the converter with rabbit ears (UHF & VHF) may not do it. For those folks, the only option may be a dish or cable.
If you choose to do nothing - that is what you will be viewing after Tuesday - nothing.
If you think this only applies to a few here, you are wrong. Many can’t afford a new TV or can’t get a coupon for a converter box. For some, they may not even be able to find a store in Susquehanna County who sells converter boxes. Run out to Wal*Mart you say? Great idea. And while you are there, maybe you should pick up an extra to give to your neighbor who can’t afford one or can’t drive to get one.
In the end, the switch to Digital Television is a good thing. Let’s be good neighbors and make sure no one left gets left in the dark.
Your thoughts?
This topic has drawn my interest as to the debate on when to pull the trigger on the transfer and begin the new transmissions.I could not imagine anyone not knowing this was going to occur and when. It seemed that every other ad on TV was telling you of the impending action and it felt like they lasted for at least the entire last year.If the date kept being extended for the transfer, how many years would it take to get most of the procrastinators to finally do what they were asked initially?
For those watching Channel 22 and Channel 28. The analog stations broadcast on channels 22 and 28 (big surprise), both of which are on UHF frequencies. You use a set top loop or UHF antenna which has relatively short elements. The digital broadcasts for those two station are on channel 11 (for channel 28) and channel 13 (for channel 22), both are in the VHF band. VHF antennas have long “rabbit ears” or long elements.
http://pahomepage.com/dtvanswers/
click “local Info”
Thus, I have been watching all the Scranton stations with a UHF outdoor antenna, but must get a combination VHF/UHF antenna to get WBRE. WYOU is strong enough that my current UHF antenna get it well enough.
You can buy outdoor antennae from Radio Shack and Lowes. This web site can be helpful in explaining the details and helping you aim your outdoor antenna:
http://antennaweb.org/
The “conversion box” is also required! But it may not be sufficient.
If you go to tvfool.com you can find out how good the reception will be in your area. It will let you put in your map coordinates and tell you how good (or if you will have) reception. Don’t know your coordinates? GoogleEarth will get you know. That link is earth.google.com - its free and it offers interesting views of our area.
According to the local tv stations, Analog broadcasting ended at 12:30 on 16, and 12 noon on 22 & 28. These local stations probably figured it is a whole lot cheaper to run one transmitter rather than two.
Anyway, tvfool.com will give you a great deal of information, if you are interested.