Problems caused by switch to digital TV linger

A week has passed since stations throughout the country officially switched to digital television, but some viewers are still having problems picking up a signal.

Stations and the Federal Communications Commission have spent more than two years getting the public ready for the switch from analog to digital television through over-the-air educational initiatives and coupons toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. An original deadline of Feb. 17 was delayed to June 12 because the government determined not enough homes would be ready for the switch.

Still, Nielsen Co. reported Wednesday that 2.5 million American households, or 2.2 percent of the television market, could not receive digital signals.

The government mandated the switch to digital-only television to free up the analog spectrum for emergency first responders and to auction off to private vendors. The digital signals can give viewers higher resolution images and enhanced audio quality.

Reporting problems

Similar to other parts of the nation, local stations have reported frustration from viewers.

Paul Keener, marketing director at KFVS12, said the station has received more than 1,000 calls since June 12 from viewers expressing frustration. He said most of the initial calls were from viewers who didn't know they had to or were unaware how to re-scan converter boxes to find the new digital signal. Because the station switched frequencies from UHF channel 57 to VHF channel 12, a re-scan was needed.

Now, Keener said, the FCC has announced viewers must go through a more involved re-scanning procedure, which involves disconnecting the antenna from the converter box, performing an auto channel scan on the converter box, unplugging the converter box from the electrical outlet for three minutes and plugging the box back in, reconnecting the antenna and performing another scan.

And that's just one of the issues that Keener thinks has made the transmission rough.

"I could list numerous instances of mistakes by the government throughout this process, including running out of money for converter box coupons, changing the deadline at the last minute, not researching the characteristics of digital broadcasts especially on VHF frequencies, forcing soft tests that gave false positive results, and many more," Keener said. "And I know that all industries have challenges right now, but the digital transition was recently described in the trade [publications] as the perfect storm for broadcasters."

Keener said viewers experiencing difficulty receiving the KFVS12 signal should use an outdoor VHF/UHF combination antenna pointed at the station's transmitter north of Cape Girardeau.

"We're quickly learning that indoor antennas are simply not performing well for VHF digital signals," Keener said. "Some viewers are getting reception with them but generally they won't perform as well as outdoor antennas for this purpose."

Robert Carter, engineer at WSIL TV 3 in Carbondale, Ill., said his station has fielded about 100 calls since the switch. He said most questions have involved how to re-scan converter boxes.

Upon request from the FCC, Carter said his station has been continuously broadcasting for those still using an analog signal a one-hour program to educate viewers about the move to digital television. He said that program will stop airing Friday.

"A lot of stations were asked to do this and we decided it would be good for those viewers still who aren't prepared," Carter said. "But those who have a converter box and have done all the right things should be pleased with the end result."

Bill Evans, vice president of news and operations for WPSD Local 6 in Paducah, Ky., said his station received far fewer complaints from viewers. The day after the switch he said his station received 10 calls. He said one of the calls was from an elderly woman who claimed she was unaware the switch would take place.

Looking to the future

Even with some of the problems that have occurred, Evans said the future looks bright for the television industry.

"Why would anyone not want to switch to digital?" Evans asked. "The quality is so much better on the screen. There are so many opportunities for broadcasters, including the addition of a good number of channels."

Dwayne Stice, director of programming for WPSD, said the switch will open new doors for viewers.

"The possibilities are unlimited," Stice said. "But everyone is taking it a step at a time. The delay was actually a good thing because it gave people more time to be prepared, and I feel like stations have done what they needed to do to make the transition as smooth as possible."

In addition to problems with the switchover, some cable and satellite subscribers have indicated problems receiving clear high-definition reception of WSIL, KFVS and WPSD.

Evans said he hadn't heard of the problem and said the station's signal was as strong as ever. He said inclement weather could play a factor in some viewers not receiving the signal. Keener said he was aware the problem had occurred but did not know why it happened.

"This is an issue that is confusing for us at the TV station and there are still problems that come up everyday," Keener said. "This is a work in progress."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

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