Preparing Yourself for Digital Television

View KERA's FCC Form 388 (DTV Consumer Education) here (pdf)

After February 17, 2009, all TV stations will be required to cease analog broadcasting and transition to a digital format exclusively (DTV). This change will mostly affect viewers who currently receive their signal with an indoor (“rabbit ears”) or outdoor antenna.

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” DTV converter box that can be used with your existing analog television. The coupons will be redeemable at select retailers. From January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two digital-to-analog converter boxes. Call (888) 388-2009 or go online to www.dtv.gov or www.ntia.doc.gov to request your coupons and find out where you can obtain a converter box. You could also purchase a digital television that can receive DTV signals or subscribe to a cable or satellite service.

If your TV set is	And you get your programming from	You will need the following by 2/17/09
Analog	Over the air	Digital-to-analog converter box (see above)
Analog	Cable or satellite	Contact your service provider
Digital	Over the air	Nothing
Digital	Cable or satellite	Contact your service provider

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 as well as commercial uses. An online resource about the DTV conversion can be found at www.dtvanswers.com.

KERA 13 airing on digital channel KERA 13.1

On May 1st, 2003, KERA began simulcasting its entire KERA 13 program line-up on digital channel KERA 13.1. This means that KERA viewers with digital television are now able to receive programs originating in high definition - also known as HD or HDTV.

Programs originating in high definition (HD) will be noted on KERA.org's TV schedules and program highlights.

Digital televisions viewers should be aware that unless a program on KERA 13.1 is broadcast in high definition (and thus identified as (HD) in our online listings), the program will appear with gray bars on both sides of the screen area.

A Brief History of KERA's Digital Signal

The first digital broadcast from KERA began December 14, 2000 in standard definition. This technical achievement was the culmination of more than a year of research and design that produced a unique combination of computer-controlled solid-state amplifiers operating through a custom digital filter.

This one-of-a-kind transmitter system was necessary to ensure KERA's DTV signal would not interfere with thousands of locally operated two-way business radio systems. KERA's standard definition signal had a range of more than 50 miles, an amazing feat considering the transmitter was only emitting 3 kilowatts.

Following the successful low-powered test transmissions that began in December 2000, KERA built a full-power version of the transmitter and aired its first High Definition program on October 6, 2001. On May 1, 2003 under federal mandate from the FCC, KERA began simulcasting the KERA 13 signal on digital channel KERA 13.1. In 2009, all television stations must turn off their analog signal.

Digital Links

For more information about digital broadcasting, check out these links:

PBS DTV

DTVAnswers.com (National Association of Broadcasters)

DTV.gov (official site for changeover)