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See the WTIU DIGITAL TV SCHEDULE
We also currently simulcast our regular schedule on digital channel 30.2.
More About DTV
Learn more about digital television at the following web sites:
TV Converter Box Coupon Program
Aspect Ratio Comparison
Pictured above, the current 4 x 3 aspect ratio of conventional television.
Compare that to the new 16 x 9 aspect ratio of digital television pictured here.
Watch two segments on the DTV transition from WTIU’s THE WEEKLY SPECIAL:
Digital Conversion History and Background » WATCH
Digital TV Conversion Technical Aspects » WATCH
DTV Basics with Kevin O'Connor & Norm Abrams from THIS OLD HOUSE » WATCH
1. What is DTV? Important Dates, and Why Are We Doing This?
What is DTV?
The transition is from analog TV broadcasting to digital TV broadcasting, not just HDTV broadcasting. Digital television is both the content that is received and the technology which makes it viewable in homes. DTV offers high-quality pictures and sounds, multiple programming choices from single stations (multicasting), and interactive options. The analog system is outdated and will be replaced by a more flexible system.
What is Standard Definition/High Definition?
Not all digital signals are high definition. HDTV and Digital TV are not the same thing; HDTV is one format of digital TV
There are three kinds of DTV signals:
- Standard Definition (SDTV) which is basic quality of both analog and digital; transmission can be in either traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9).
- Enhanced Definition (EDTV) which is a step up from analog and comes in widescreen (16:9) or traditional format (4:3). It provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as good as HDTV.
- High Definition (HDTV) with widescreen format (16:9), has the highest resolution and picture quality of all broadcast formats.
Why are stations doing this?
Congress mandated that all stations shut off their analog signals by February 17, 2009.
What are the benefits of DTV?
- Digital pictures will not have “ghosts” and “snow” that can affect analog transmissions.
- Multicasting is available (more than one channel per TV station) which provides more programming choices.
- Improved picture/sound quality.
- Provides HDTV.
- Provides data streaming.
- Interactive video and data services.
- Portions of the spectrum will be freed up to public and safety services such as fire, police, rescue squads.
- Portions of the analog spectrum will be auctioned for commercial wireless Broadband and other new services.
When is the conversion?
March 1, 2007: Television manufactures were required to include digital tuners in all new television sets.
February 17, 2009: After this date full-power TV stations will only broadcast digital signals.
Most stations will continue broadcasting their analog signals until the deadline.
How will DTV affect audio?
The Dolby Digital AC-3 format will be utilized to provide 5.1 channel surround sound. The sound can be described as “theater quality sound.”
Dolby Digital contains up to six channels of discrete audio, with five channels for normal speakers and one for subwoofer-driven low frequencies.
Though usually associated with the 5.1 configuration, Dolby Digital also allows for setups that include mono, stereo, quadraphonic, and surround sound.