Oct 27, 2008 4:50 pm US/Eastern
FCC: Marylanders Unprepared For Digital Conversion
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Chief engineers across the country will turn off their old transmitters on Feb. 17, 2009 and turn on new digital ones.
In just a few short months, broadcasting will change forever in America. It's called digital conversion.
Mike Schuh reports the Federal Communications Commission says most of the people in Maryland are unprepared.
Your television will work in February, but the tuner that decodes the broadcast signal will be obsolete.
"It's going to be really, really weird to turn this off for the last time," said Rick Seaby, WJZ's chief engineer.
Chief engineers across the country will turn off their old transmitters on Feb. 17, 2009 and turn on new digital ones. To get the new signal you need cable service, a new TV or a digital converter box.
"The challenge is, we have to get from here to there," said Michael Copps, FCC commissioner.
That's why Copps came to the Sandtown Winchester Senior Center Monday. He says the FCC needs their help because 55 percent of Marylanders haven't applied for or gotten federal coupons good for most of the cost of the converter boxes.
The FCC showed people how the converters are set up and work, and many filled out applications on paper and online for coupons.
"It's always nice to have someone talk you through the process," said Nancy Worrell, who needs a digital converter.
WJZ's general manager showed the commissioner the millions already invested in the new digital gear.
Copps says when the date of the transition arrives in February, he expects there will be problems for consumers.
"I think it's pretty easy to predict, we're going to get north of a million to a million and a quarter calls on Feb. 18," said Copps.
About 130,000 people in our area need the converters, but only 45 percent have signed up for the coupons.
Two coupons are allowed per household. They are worth $40. The boxes cost between $40 and $70 and are in stock at electronic stores now.
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