CouponFrequently Asked Questions
WMFE moved forward with the Feb. 17 analog shut-off date, switching off the analog signal at 11:59 p.m.
WMFE along with PBS is actively working to assist members and viewers with information about the digital transition.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming switch from analog to digital signals and digital television:
What is the digital transition?
What is analog television?
Why is this transition happening?
Will I be able to continue to use my current television?
How can I get a low cost converter box?
What if I do nothing?
What are the benefits of DTV?
What is high definition television?
What is multicasting?
Why can DTV offer so much more information?
How is DTV different from digital broadcast satellite (DBS)?
What other resources regarding DTV are available?
Why do the picture dimensions change while you are watching WMFE?
What is the digital transition?
After June 12, 2009, all TV stations must cease analog broadcasting and transition to exclusively broadcasting in a digital format, also known as DTV. WMFE ceased broadcasting the analog signal on Feb. 17, 2009.
What is analog television?
Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television.
Analog is not as efficient as digital television: it uses up much more of the valuable spectrum than digital, and TV stations can only transmit one channel of programming with an analog signal versus up to four or more programs with a digital signal in the same amount of spectrum. Analog is also susceptible to interference and "snow" that make a picture less clear.
Why is this transition happening?
Congress mandated the conversion to DTV for two important reasons. First, DTV will provide higher quality picture and sound and more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams. Second, ceasing analog broadcasting will free up a wide range of frequencies so they can be used for public safety such as police, fire, and emergency rescue communications, as well as commercial uses.
Will I be able to continue to use my current television?
If you subscribe to cable or satellite, your access to broadcast channels should not change. However, if you currently rely on over-the-air signals via an analog television and an antenna ("rabbit ears"), you will need to act to continue to receive television. You must either:
Purchase a low-cost converter box to use with your existing analog television
Purchase a digital television that can receive DTV signals
Subscribe to cable or satellite
How can I get a low cost converter box?
In order to help consumers with the digital transition, the federal government has created a coupon program that will significantly reduce the cost of a set-top box. The coupons will be redeemable at select retailers.
To learn more about the coupon program, including how and when to request your coupons, coupon value, and redemption instructions, click here. Consumers may also call a toll-free number, 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009), for an update in English or Spanish.
What if I do nothing?
If you do not receive your signal via cable or satellite and do not have a television with a built-in digital tuner (or have a set-top converter box), your television will not receive a signal after June 12, 2009.
What are the benefits of DTV?
Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at once. This is known as “multicasting.” DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology.
What is high definition television?
Digital television allows stations -- like WMFE -- to telecast programs in much higher resolution or clarity than standard analog television. This is called high definition television or HDTV. Viewers are able to receive high-quality, crystal-clear pictures. These visually stunning pictures, with more than twice the resolution and clarity of standard television, are displayed in a widescreen format with a 16 by 9 width-to-height ratio compared to analog's 4 by 3, or basically square, format. And because HDTV is digital, viewers have the option of a six-channel CD-quality "surround sound." In other words, viewers are able to enjoy a true home theater experience.
What is multicasting?
WMFE is able to transmit multiple channels of television programming simultaneously.
.Why can DTV offer so much more information?
The key is video compression. Compression allows a vast amount of data -- in this case, gigabits of a television picture or other information -- to be reduced for transmission. In the United States, the DTV signal is reduced to 19.4 million bits per second! (To put this in perspective, the telephone line to your home handles 28,000 bits per second.)
How is DTV different from digital broadcast satellite (DBS)?
Broadcast DTV and DBS both use digital transmission. However, DTV uses the ATSC format (which brings you HDTV, multicasting, datacasting, and other ancillary services). Another key difference is that terrestrial broadcast DTV will be over-the-air, and is free to you and all viewers, whereas DBS is a pay subscription service.
What other resources regarding DTV are available?
Check out out links page for many resources regarding analog shut off and digital television.
Why do the picture dimensions change while you are watching WMFE?
You have probably seen the same kind of thing happen on other channels as well. This is the most vexing issue we deal with in bringing digital television to viewers. At the heart of the problem is the new wider screen for high definition (HD) television. It is 16X9 (16 units wide for every 9 units of height). The old analog era screen, also known as SD for standard definition, is 4X3 (4 units wide for every 3 units of height). For this discussion, it helps to see 4X3 as 12X9, which is the same ratio expressed differently. Converting from one picture ratio to the other is what causes the various changes in picture size. Compounding this are the effects of digital receivers and set top boxes as well as cable and satellite companies. Finally, all of the programs delivered by PBS are in, or have been converted to, high definition. The conversion to HD and the conversion to SD add to the problem.
As of April 1, 2009, WMFE is keeping its 24-1 channel in high definition for the entire broadcast day. This reduces the number of times you see the picture change size.
Following is a more detailed explanation of two of the most common dimension changes.
Let’s look at the black border on the top and bottom of the screen. This was the result of converting a high definition 16X9 picture to 12X9 standard definition. To fit a 16X9 picture on a 12X9 screen without picture loss or distortion, the picture is reduced until it completely fits within the 12X9 screen. The left and right edges of the picture end at the edge of the screen but the top and bottom are now too short to completely fill the screen. The result is a black border at the top and bottom; also known as letterbox.
Another image you may see is a black frame around the entire picture, also called "postage stamp." This happens when a standard definition picture is converted to HD and then converted back to SD. Why is this done? PBS sent the program as an HD program converted from the SD format. This added the black bars at the left and right of the image. We needed to convert it to SD and this resulted in the addition of black bars at the top and bottom.
We will see less and less of the old 12X9 ratio pictures and more 16X9 high definition pictures as digital television matures. WMFE is already providing better pictures, more choices, and prime time programs during the daytime.