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Q: What is FREE digital television?
A: Free Digital television (DTV) is a broadcast TV signal transmitted as a series of binary numbers -- ones and zeros. Digital signals allow greatly increased quality and the ability to send additional information. Digital television (DTV) is a new form of TV developed in conjunction with the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and was approved by the Federal Communications Commission on December 24, 1996. This new technology is capable of transmitting one High Definition Television (HDTV) program or multiple Standard Definition Television (SDTV) programs. The federal government has adopted this new digital television format in order to allow the broadcast industry to deliver programs that are comparable in quality to other digitally delivered services, such as direct broadcast satellite, digital cable and digital video disk.
Q: Is that the same as HDTV?
A: No. HDTV (the HD stands for High Definition) utilizes the digital broadcast signal to send wide screen, super sharp, version of digital TV. HDTV is transmitted with a lot more picture information and six channels of digital audio. It's an incredible difference -- even more noticeable than the difference between DVD movies and VHS movies.
Q: When can I get digital broadcast TV?
A: On May 1, 2002, TV stations throughout the U.S. were required to begin broadcasting a digital signal. KIMT-DT is currently broadcasting on Channel 42. To receive the digital signal, you need a UHF antenna and TV set capable of receiving digital broadcast signals. Don't be fooled into buying a fancy antenna to get digital TV. This site can help you choose a antenna. If you have an older TV, you can purchase a set-top converter box that will allow you to view digital TV signals. Starting in 2008, the federal government will offer a $40 coupon to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box for your TV. Please be aware of expiration dates on the coupons. Click here to learn about the coupon program.
Q: Will I lose my "existing" TV signal?
A: Since KIMT Channel 3 broadcasts the analog signal, and Channel 42 broadcasts the digital signal, KIMT offers both services at the same time. As of right now, the FCC plan is that February 17, 2009 the analog channel 3 signal turns off. If you receive any TV signals in your home by an antenna, you will need to convert to digital TV before February 2009. Congress has ordered all TV stations to turn off their old analog signals on this date and only broadcast in digital TV afterwards. Learn more about the federal deadline here.
Q: I turned my TV to Channel 42, but don't see your shows. How come?
A: You cannot see digital TV on a regular (or analog) television. You will need a digital TV set, an antenna or possibly a set-top box to see the new digital TV channels. Learn how to prepare for DTV.
Q: What differences will I notice between digital TV and what I have now?
A: The first noticeable difference of High Definition Television from the current television system is that the screen is much wider. In our current television system when the width of the picture is divided by the height of the picture it will always produce a 4/3 ratio. High Definition Television, on the other hand, has a width to height ratio of 16/9, which closely approximates that of the cinema. The second key feature is that High Definition has over six times the sharpness and clarity of the current television system. The HDTV picture contains 1080 vertical picture elements (pixels) by 1920 horizontal pixels for a total of over 2.0 million pixels. The current standard definition picture contains only 480 vertical pixels by 720 pixels for a total of 345,600 pixels. Third, the color resolution of HDTV is also more than twice the current system. High Definition television also has six channels of CD-quality surround sound (left, right, center, left rear, right rear, and low frequency effects). Finally, the signal is digitally transmitted, which eliminates all of the current imperfections we have lived with for the past thirty years, which include snow (weak signal), double images (ghosting or multi-path) and picture sparkles (impulse noise). As a result, the picture is perfect whether you are one mile or fifty-five miles from the transmitter.
Q: So I buy a new TV, and a new tuner, and I get your programming on Channel 42. Is it HDTV?
A: We are currently passing all programs that CBS sends in HDTV directly to the transmitter for retransmitting in HDTV. Local news, syndicated programs, and network programs not sent in HDTV are up-converted to standard DTV.
Q: I hear HDTV is expensive. Is it?
A: Right now, HDTV-capable sets are selling in the range of $300 and up. In the last two years, we've seen prices come down about a thousand dollars. If you're already buying a big-screen TV, the price isn't drastically different.
Q: I bought an HDTV monitor last year, but can't find your new channel.
A: In order to see the new HDTV broadcast channels, you will need a digital tuner (set-top box). Some new digital televisions come with the tuner built in. Some do not, and require a set-top box in order to receive a digital signal. Your TV retailer should be able to help you find the right equipment.
Q: You mentioned an antenna earlier. Does this mean I need to get "rabbit ears?"
A: Some people may be able to use a "bowtie" antenna on top of your TV set. But an inexpensive outside UHF antenna may be your best choice. It does not have to be outside. Many people simply put them in their attic. This site can help you choose a antenna.
Q: Will KIMT digital be on my local cable system?
A: As the customer of the cable company you need to call them and demand that they provide the channels you want. They want your money so you have a voice. So far, most cable companies have resisted putting the new digital channels on their cable systems. They argue that it takes up space for the same programs that are on the existing channels. Most cable companies say that when enough viewers want the new digital and HDTV signals on cable, they will provide them. But it won't be as good as the signal you can get with an antenna, because of the compression of the signal they have to use to fit their "pipeline." Contact your local cable provider to find out when they'll offer KIMT Digital signals.
Q: What about my existing VCR, will it be able to play back and record the new digital television?
A: Your existing VCR will be able to play back your library of VHS tapes on the new digital television receivers. However, your VHS VCR will not be able to record the widescreen high definition signal. If you want to record and playback the digital HDTV signal, you will need to purchase a new Digital recorder or DVR.
Q: What is multicasting?
A: The digital channel has enough capacity to carry a full HDTV program, or several standard digital channels. Digital signals can also be used to send other types of data -- still pictures, text and databases, for example.
Q: So there's DTV and HDTV to choose from?
A: No. HDTV is a part of DTV. Many shows don't need the added resolution and detail that HDTV provides.
Q: Will you be broadcasting HDTV 24 hours a day? And will it always be the same thing that's on KIMT?
A: We expect to start with afternoon and evening coverage on KIMT-DT. As CBS expands HDTV offerings into other times of day, we will expand our broadcast day. Most of the time, yes, we will air the same programs on KIMT-DT that we air on KIMT. There are some special programs that will be exceptions.
Q: Are all of CBS's programs going to be in high definition?
A: Eventually yes; however, initially CBS has converted most of its primetime evening schedule to high definition. We will continue to expand the number of high definition hours that are broadcast per day. All the standard definition programs (4/3) that are not produced in High Definition Television will be up-converted. Up-conversion refers to the process of doubling the number of television lines in our current system (525) to develop the 1080-line high definition signal.
Q: Why is CBS planning to broadcast in High Definition Television?
A: For years CBS has been producing its programs on 35mm film in Hollywood. This is the same film used by the motion picture industry to photograph and project motion pictures. In other words, for the last 30 years CBS has been producing high definition programs and has been unable to deliver these high quality images to the public. CBS believes that High Definition Television with CD-quality surround sound will vastly enhance the television viewing experience and provide the viewer as well as advertiser with a revolutionary new media tool.
Q: I live outside Mason City. Will the digital signal reach me?
A: Yes if you could receive KIMT Channel 3 you should be able to get KIMT DTV signal if they use a properly installed, quality outside antenna located at least 25 feet in the air and in a clear area. Click here to see if you can receive KIMT DTV at your home.
More Helpful Links:
• CNet HDTV explained
• How HDTV Works
• HDTV Information Source |
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