I'm guessing this has something to do with the fact that old 29 is going to become new 9. Say what? Yes, as I reported earlier, KMBC got permission to grab 29 when KCWE is done with it so they don't have to be KC's only VHF digital station. You don't really want to be pulling an all-nighter on Feb. 16 to make that switcheroo, so this gives the engineers some breathing room.
KCWE Leads as First Kansas City TV Station to Switch to DTV.
(Kansas City, MO) KCWE-TV will flip the switch from analog to digital two months ahead of schedule. KCWE will cease broadcasting its analog signal on December 15th, 2008 at 9 a.m. Federal Law mandates that all full power television station in the U.S. shut down their analog transmitters on February 17th, 2009. Viewers receiving KCWE’s signal via cable or satellite will continue to do so as they currently do.
Analog-only televisions can receive KCWE’s digital channel over the air by using a digital-to-analog converter box and tuning to Channel 29-1. KCWE Engineering recommends performing an Auto Channel Scan on your digital TV or converter box to ensure you can pickup Channel 29-1. Converter boxes are available at local electronics retailers. More information is available at www.kcwe.com and www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009. You may also register your comments or request information by contacting us at 6455 Winchester Ave, Kansas City, MO 64133, calling us at 816-221-2900, or e-mailing us at engineering@kmbc.com.
“KCWE is proud to lead the transition to digital television in Kansas City,” said Wayne Godsey, President and General Manager of KMBC-TV and KCWE-TV. “Our early switch to DTV on December 15th will provide local viewers with a real life test to see if they’re digital ready. We invite viewers to tune in to KCWE. If they can’t see us, they’ll know they have work to do before all TV stations complete the digital transition on February 17, 2009.”
DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. DTV enables TV stations to provide crystal clear pictures and CD quality sound. DTV also makes it possible for stations to broadcast in high definition or provide multiple channels of programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology.
I have a problem with the government mandating the switch to Digital Tv. Why not let the market determine if and when stations should go digital.
All old TV's will be obsolete for over the air programming. What are we to do in an emergency and power is out? All those old battery operated TV's and radios with TV sound will be useless.
It would make sense to let the stations keep their existing analog signal and let them make a business decision to decide whether or not they want to add a digital station to compliment their current analog signal.
It is also interesting to note that most people who will go out and buy a new digital tv will hook it up to their satelite or cable that they already have. Don't they know that you do not need a digital TV to watch progamming on cable or satelite?
The reason to upgrade is to experience the new picture and sound quality and the multicast broadcasts. Just you wait though, once people get hooked on this then local and network broadcasters will want to charge a premium since you are getting so much more picture and sound quality. When that happens you won't have a choice as analog will be gone.
All this is a scam by the electronics industry to move the population to new and more expensive digital tv products and to make people by converters if they take over the air transmissions.
The electonics industry and retailers will be laughing their way to the bank on this scam.
It started when the industry lobbied our lawmakers in Washington to apporve the digital conversion laws. A lot of money went into our lawmakers pockets over this. There are more pressing issues that our lawmakers should address rather than addressing the lining of the pockets of the electronics industry.
The digital TV manufacturers knew that without a government mandate, people would not buy their new high price products.
All I can say about analog is that if it's not broke then don't fix it.
There is no reason to shut off analog TV signals. In fact, cell phone companies still have their analog spectrum to use as a backup when the digital spectrum goes down. The same could be done with the analog tv signals.
Posted by: jpb | December 23, 2008 at 08:26 AM