• The United States government has mandated the current (analog) system of transmitting television be shut down and replaced with a digital transmission system.

• Nearly all television stations in the United States -- including all KSN stations in Kansas -- are currently transmitting BOTH a digital signal as well as analog signals.

• The current (analog) system will be shut down on February 17th, 2009.

• Over-the-air digital television does not behave like the analog system which is prone to interference from things like car ignitions, electrical devices and storms.

• You will either get a good over-the-air digital picture or no picture at all.

• Digital signals can be received well with rabbit ears if you are within about 10 miles from a full power transmitter. With an outside antenna, you should get good pictures up to 50 miles from a transmitter.

• There are two forms of digital television: Standard Definition and High Definition.

• The Standard Definition digital picture will be commonly seen in the old-style aspect ratio: Four (4) units wide by three (3) high (4x3).

• The High Definition digital picture will be commonly seen in the new-style aspect ratio: 16 units wide by 9 units high (16x9). The high definition signal carries the most "data" and therefore will display incredible detail on a High Definition TV set.

• Most new TV sets can convert the Standard Definition (3x4) picture to 16x9. That ability, however, does not make an HD picture. It’s simply a standard definition picture that’s been electronically "enhanced".

• There is more than one way to receive a digital TV station.
  
  1. Over-the-air with a TV set equipped with a digital tuner.
  2. Over-the-air with a converter box connected to your analog TV set.
  3. Cable or Satellite service. Those services do the converting and deliver a standard definition picture to your old style analog set.

• You will need a 16x9 digital TV set to get the full benefit of digital television which is the high definition picture, no matter how you receive the digital signals.

• The best quality digital picture you can get will most likely be by using the off-air signal and displaying it on a digital TV set.

• If you want to continue using your analog set, you must purchase a converter box. The government will help you by giving you coupons, but you must apply for them by going online at www.dtv2009.gov/applycoupon.aspx. Or call 888-388-2009. The coupon program expires at the end of March, 2009.

• The converter boxes CANNOT be used to receive digital cable on your "cable ready analog" TV set.

• If you want to record digital television, the best thing to do is buy a DVD recorder with its own digital tuner.

• Don’t just "throw away" your old TV sets. The tubes and parts carry an unhealthy amount of lead and other toxic chemicals. For Sedgwick County, call: 316-660-7464. In Reno County, call 620-694-2587. Elsewhere, contact your nearest county commission office for guidance on hazardous waste disposal in your area.
  

Still have questions? Send them to us at dtv@ksn.com and we’ll get back to you. If you have questions about HDTV on KSN, visit our HDTV page.

Or leave a message at 316-292-1114.