Humboldt HDTV Digital Television Information

As we expected, TV viewers in rural parts of Humboldt County may very well be left in the dark after the switch is made to digital television (DTV) in February 2009. The Times-Standard reported this week that viewers in the Orleans area may lose access to KIEM-TV, the area’s only NBC affiliate, when analog transmissions cease and DTV is made mandatory. The problem? Reception in that area is currently only available via a low-powered analog translator, which relies upon solar power and batteries to broadcast a signal. The only way to keep translator service available would be for the station to install a new DTV translator or convert the station’s main signal from digital back to analog in order to be rebroadcast. The station’s current solar system does not produce enough electricity for either option though.

DirecTV accidentally turns subscriber HD DVRs and receivers into zombies. HDTV subscribers must reset receivers in able to view digital HD programming. Official announcement from DirecTV to customers on HD DVR problem and how to fix it.

We finally found a source for a decent CECB digital-to-analog converter box for DTV this past week. Even nicer was the fact that we were able to buy it for only about $13 out of our pocket.

A list of translators and low-power (LPTV) television stations in Northern California. Includes TV channels for digital and analog TV broadcasters.

Few things are more frustrating than being bombarded with comercials urging you to rush out and buy a product, only to find out later that no stores have the item in stock. No, I’m not talking about the new Apple Iphone. I’m talking about the new DTV converters individuals will need in order to continue watching over-the-air television after February 2009.

Review of DirecTV’s new Video On Demand (VOD) service, available to DirecTV customers with HDTV satellite TV and DVR receivers. Downloads using broadband.

The Eureka Reporter ran an interesting story in yesterday’s edition about the state of HDTV and DTV service in Humboldt County, along with some generic information on the switchover to digital.

Buying DTV Converters Online. As we’ve mentioned here before, there aren’t many websites that can actually process the “free” $40 government coupons when buying a DTV (CECB) converter online.

A frightening number of the DTV conversion boxes currently on the market lack a key feature that will leave their owners unable to watch many of their favorite channels after installation.

So, you might be wondering exactly how complicated it is to get these “free” DTV converter box coupons from the U.S. Government. There are some “catches” with the application process. Considering the fact that this program is administered by the federal government, the whole system runs fairly smoothly though.

A report released in June from the U.S. Government Accountability Office has yielded some interesting statistics on HDTV and the pending migration of television broadcasters to digital television in February 2009.

New section gives complete, up-to-date listing of all channels available via SuddenLink, the local cable TV provider throughout most of Humboldt County.

We now include information on HDTV programming available from satellite providers and cable television.

AntennaWeb.Org has a nifty feature that will calculate (roughly) what type of antenna you will need in order to watch digital television.

From now on, all newly-posted news articles will be available using an RSS news reader. You can either use a stand-alone reader program or access the feed via one of the many websites that support RSS.