Many of you have already heard about the “Digital TV Transition” taking place on February 17, 2009. Those of you on cable or ‘dish” systems will not be affected by this change in technology, nor will TV-17’s channels on its current cable systems. In other words, cable and dish subscribers will not have to do anything.

KWMS TV-17 is a Low-Power station and will not be required to convert to digital transmission in February, 2009. TV-17 will be one of the only stations in Ouachita Parish and perhaps Louisiana still broadcasting an analog signal. All “old” analog type TV’s with an antenna will still be able to pick up our signal without a converter box. These analog TV’s will need a converter box to pick up the new digital signals that will be broadcast by the Full-Power stations, such as KNOE, etc. and convert them to an analog signal for viewing.  If you purchase one of the digital-to-analog converter boxes, make sure it has analog pass-through capability.

These six boxes are recommended by the NTIA for their pass-through capability.

Digital Stream DX 8700

Magnavox TB-100MG9

Digital Stream DSP7700T

Philco TB100HH9

Echostar TR-40

Philco TB150HH9

A government program is awarding households up to two $40 coupons toward the purchase of a digital-to-analog converter box. (Some I have seen are running $49-59.00)

It is very easy and only takes a minute to do online.

 Go to this site for more information and to order your coupons.

 http://www.ntia.doc.gov/

Note: The converter boxes are only for older TV sets that are not on a cable or dish system and are only needed to receive the new digital signals broadcast by the Full Power stations. Most new TV sets are digital and will not need converter boxes.

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