Jun 12, 2009 9:30 pm US/Eastern
Friday Marks Final Signoff For Analog TV Service
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
-
-
The transition to digital television takes place June 12th.
CBS
The switch to digital television has finally happened.
At 12:30 p.m., Friday television stations across Baltimore including
WJZ made the switch from an analog signal to a digital signal.
Analog is over. We are now in the digital age of television.
WJZ along with television stations around the country have made the switched to a digital signal.
Weijia Jiang reports it was a exciting afternoon as
WJZ went digital. A million viewers nationwide are still without the upgrade.
At 12:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, WJZ joined all television stations across the country that made the historical switch from analog to digital programming.
"It's very historic. We've been watching television since the 50s, pretty much the same way with a transmission signal that really hasn't progressed. Yet, the quality of everything else has progressed. Now we are in digital, which means a sharper, crisper, and in some cases high definition signal," said Jay Newman,
WJZ's general manager.
Along with a clearer picture, the transition gives viewers more channels at no charge. Viewers have to do their part to come up to date. The Federal Communication Commission put 4,000 operators on standby to help confused television owners.
"No programs, weak signal, won't come in," said Dawn Ford.
Ford is among the 15-percent of US household who don't have satellite or cable television and now need a digital converter box to receive broadcast.
"I rescanned it, I put it on factory re-set, rescanned everything all over again and nothing," said Ford.
That's because a converter box does not guarantee a problem-free switch. In many cases, antennas are not strong enough to pick up a signal.
"Sometimes you have to get a different antenna and especially as Jay said, rescan your sets, your set top box and that should pull it in," said Paul Garnett, engineer.
Of course kinks will all smooth out, and give America a fresh modern picture, when they turn on their tube.
Engineers are reminding people to rescan their sets over and over again.
The switch to DTV or digital television is expected to transform your television viewing experience allowing for a higher quality picture and better sound.
In order to view your favorite local television stations you should have purchased and installed a digital converter box on any T.V. set which uses an antenna.
Those who have cable or satellite service don't need a digital converter box.
It's important that since the digital television switch has happened you set your digital converter to box to rescan, which is a way of ensuring that you receive all the digital stations transmitting in your area.
For more information visit
WJZ's Digital Television
section.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
