Suddenlink Pisses Off The FCC – Gets $25,000 NAL

Washington, D.C. – This story is only marginally connected to the DTV transition, but is so amusing that I just had to pass it on. Apparently, the Federal Communications Commission received a number of complaints about the cable television provider when it decided to switch certain analog channels on its cable system to digital this [...]

Rural TV Viewers May Soon Be In The Dark

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.

List of LPTV Stations and Translators

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

Shortage of DTV Converters Continues

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: DirecTV HDTV Video On Demand Service

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

Update On HDTV and DTV Service in Humboldt County

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

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.

Getting Your Free DTV Coupons

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.

Choosing An Antenna For DTV

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

DTV Terms and Definitions

Custom Search AACS – Advanced Access Control System. A computer specification for guarding next-generation optical-media content created by the film, electronics, and software industries. AC-3 – (see Dolby Digital 5.1) Aliasing – Jaggedness that appears at diagonal edges of objects in a pixel or raster image. De-aliasing (anti-aliasing) is a smoothing of the jagged edges [...]

Digital Converter Boxes Ranked

Consumer Reports magazine has published their ratings for a limited number of HDTV converter boxes.

Signal Availability On ETG HDTV Stations

Eureka Television Group (ETV), the broadcasting conglomerate that currently owns five television stations in the Eureka, California, market, recently posted information on the accessibility of their signals via broadcast, cable and satellite television. This includes VHF, UHF, UHF-LPTV and Digital or HDTV.

Digital TV Myths

Information on HDTV and digital television reception using OTA Over The Air antennas and TV sets. Purchasing antennas, accessories and installation advice.

Humboldt County HDTV

HDTV Is On The Way HDTV and DTV service is coming soon to a television set near you, even if you live in Humboldt County. In February of 2009, most broadcasters across the county will be changing the frequencies that they currently broadcast at and start transmitting their signals in an all-digital format called DTV [...]