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If you still aren’t ready for the new era of television, you’re running out of time.
TV stations that didn’t make the switch from analog to digital Feb. 17 will do so June 12.
You’ll be OK if you already have a converter box, cable, satellite or another pay service, or a TV made after 2007 that features a built-in tuner.
Digital sets are “backward compatible,” which means old analog VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and video games will still work.
Though they’re equipped with digital tuners, newer sets in homes without cable or satellite will still need an antenna.
Carol Kellum is president and chief executive officer of the Quincy, Ill., CBS affiliate KHQA Channel 7 and the Kirksville ABC affiliate KTVO Channel 3.
Kellum said Channel 7 was ready for the change three months ago, but was asked by the Federal Communications Commission to hold off. Everything is still a go.
“We seem to be prepared,” said Kellum said. “I really don’t anticipate any issues. This area probably is more prepared than the national average.”
WGEM, the NBC affiliate in Quincy, made the switch in February and, for about two weeks, had a steady stream of telephone calls from people with questions.
“Most of the people were very understanding,” said WGEM Operations Manager Jim Lawrence. “We were able to help most of them.”
Lawrence said WGEM found most problems resulted from people who relied upon antennas. He recommends people have a UHF/VHF antenna and converter box to get over-the-air signals.
The FCC recently approved the station’s request for a power increase, which has helped with reception.
Kellum said Channel 7 at 301 S. 36th in Quincy will be open to answer viewers’ questions and offer demonstrations of converter box installation until 8 p.m. June 12; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13, 14, 20 and 21; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 to 19.
Also making the switch June 12 will be NBC affiliate KSDK Channel 5, CBS affiliate KMOV Channel 4, FOX affiliate KTVI Channel 2, PBS affiliate KETC Channel 9 and the CBS-Warner Brothers affiliate KPLR Channel 11, all in St. Louis; and CBS affiliate KRCG Channel 13, NBC affiliate KOMU Channel 8 and ABC affiliate KMIZ Channel 17, all in Columbia.
In addition to WGEM, St. Louis ABC affiliate KDNL and PBS affiliates in Quincy and Jacksonville already have made the switch.
To learn more, go to the FCC’s digital television Web site at www.dtv.gov.
If you still aren’t ready for the new era of television, you’re running out of time.
TV stations that didn’t make the switch from analog to digital Feb. 17 will do so June 12.
You’ll be OK if you already have a converter box, cable, satellite or another pay service, or a TV made after 2007 that features a built-in tuner.
Digital sets are “backward compatible,” which means old analog VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and video games will still work.
Though they’re equipped with digital tuners, newer sets in homes without cable or satellite will still need an antenna.
Carol Kellum is president and chief executive officer of the Quincy, Ill., CBS affiliate KHQA Channel 7 and the Kirksville ABC affiliate KTVO Channel 3.
Kellum said Channel 7 was ready for the change three months ago, but was asked by the Federal Communications Commission to hold off. Everything is still a go.
“We seem to be prepared,” said Kellum said. “I really don’t anticipate any issues. This area probably is more prepared than the national average.”
WGEM, the NBC affiliate in Quincy, made the switch in February and, for about two weeks, had a steady stream of telephone calls from people with questions.
“Most of the people were very understanding,” said WGEM Operations Manager Jim Lawrence. “We were able to help most of them.”
Lawrence said WGEM found most problems resulted from people who relied upon antennas. He recommends people have a UHF/VHF antenna and converter box to get over-the-air signals.
The FCC recently approved the station’s request for a power increase, which has helped with reception.
Kellum said Channel 7 at 301 S. 36th in Quincy will be open to answer viewers’ questions and offer demonstrations of converter box installation until 8 p.m. June 12; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13, 14, 20 and 21; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 to 19.
Also making the switch June 12 will be NBC affiliate KSDK Channel 5, CBS affiliate KMOV Channel 4, FOX affiliate KTVI Channel 2, PBS affiliate KETC Channel 9 and the CBS-Warner Brothers affiliate KPLR Channel 11, all in St. Louis; and CBS affiliate KRCG Channel 13, NBC affiliate KOMU Channel 8 and ABC affiliate KMIZ Channel 17, all in Columbia.
In addition to WGEM, St. Louis ABC affiliate KDNL and PBS affiliates in Quincy and Jacksonville already have made the switch.
To learn more, go to the FCC’s digital television Web site at www.dtv.gov.
