Digital TV Conversion: Answers to Your Questions

MYFOXNY.COM - Have you gone digital with your television yet? If not, you might want to because on June 12, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format and broadcast only in digital. This means that after that date all TV sets not equipped with digital tuners or an adapter will no longer be able to receive programming through rooftop or rabbit-ear antennas.

OK, sounds cool -- but what does that really mean for you? Well, you have a few options. First, check out our DTV Conversion Guide if you haven't already. If you still have questions, you can submit them there.

And the great thing is, Al Shjarback, the vice president for engineering and operations for Fox 5 and My 9, is answering all of your questions. Check out his answers right here:

Where can I order converter boxes for my TVs and how can I apply for the discount coupons?

A: The digital converter boxes can be purchased over the Internet or in your local electronics retailer; most cost $40-$60. You can check out www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm to find an NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) approved converter model. Then apply for up to two coupons to help you pay for the converter(s). You can do this by going to www.dtv2009.gov and the coupons will be mailed to you. Each household can get up to two coupons for $40 each.

I don't have rabbit ears on my old set but I receive all common stations and NY1 very clearly. However, the station numbers are mixed up. For example, NBC is channel 12 instead of 4. ABC is channel 10 instead of 7. Do I have a digital antenna and will I need a converter?

 

A: If you are receiving NY1 then you are on a cable or master antenna feed that controls the channel lineup. If you live in an apartment, condo, etc. then you need to contact the manager of you building and ask if there is anything you need to ensure you are set for the digital transition June 12. If you were receiving these channels over-the-air then they would be referenced to the correct channel numbers.

I have 6 TVs in my home: 3 LCD (1 definite digital, 2 possible) and others 3 are standard TVs. I receive Cablevision as my television service provider, and two have Cablevision boxes. My question is, will my other TVs require a cable box for me to receive Cablevision signals or not?

A:  Most providers will continue for the near term to send analog signals so you should be OK without a converter as long as your TVs are connected to cable. Long term you should speak with your provider to see how long you can expect to have these signals without a converter. Keep in mind that most providers while having the local broadcast stations on without needing a converter are moving most other services to tiers that need converters.

If I have an HDTV using a digital antenna and no cable or satellite, do I still need to get the converter box?

A: If your TV has an ATSC tuner then you are all set. You will need to connect an antenna to the RF input, do a channel scan and you should be ready to go. Remember that after June 12, 2009 you will need to do another scan since several NYC channels will be moving. I would suggest getting everything checked now since all the digital stations are on the air.

I have an analog TV and cable service in my home. Since the tv is "cable ready,"  I do not have a cable box attached to it. Will I be able to receive signals without having to attach a cable box to my TV after the conversion date?

A:  We are told by most providers that for the near term analog service will continue to be provided for cable customers that do not use converters. You should check with them for the long term outlook on that question.

Can I run cable wire coming from the wall straight to a digital TV and expect TV to work?

A: That depends on what is on that wire. If it’s a cable feed and your TV is capable of QAM tuning then yes it will receive some (Not all) of the Cable channels. If it is an over-the-air feed then the TV will need to have an ATSC tuner in it as well. Keep in mind that if it is a cable feed then some channels may require you to still have a Cable Company converter to “decode” the channel.

My father has hooked up the converter box to his analog TV (he does not have cable). When he turns it on, there is no signal. Should it work now or will it not work until June 12, 2009?

A: Yes, the converter should be working now. Make sure that he has done a channel scan and that he has tried orienting his antenna several times to see if that helps for each scan that he does. The digital signal is a little tricky to get locked in so if he doesn’t have really good signals then it gets harder to lock in. If his analog over-the-air signals are great (no ghosts, no noise) then he should be OK but it may take a different antenna, pointing, or re-scanning.

My TV (Sanyo) only has 1 input for audio and 1 input for video whereas the cables with the converter has 3 cables.  Which cables do I hook up from the converter to the TV?

There should be two ways to hook up the converter one is to use the audio/video wires (3) one is for video and the other two are for left and right stereo audio. If you do not have stereo audio inputs on your TV (sounds like you don’t) then you will need a “Y” adapter for RCA audio connectors that takes the two from the converter and combines them into one. Most local electronics retailers sell these. Also you could use the RF (Round "F" connector output) from the converter and using a coax cable connect that to the TV’s RF input and tune the TV to channel 3. Hope that helps.

I have a combination VCR/cable-ready TV but not connected to cable. Do I need a converter?

A: If you are using the VCR to currently record "off air" then the antenna feed that goes into the VCR must have a digital converter placed ahead of it. If you are using the audio/video connections from some other device to provide the record signal to the VCR then that device will need a converter ahead of it.

What will happen if your TV has PIP (picture in picture)? I do have cable hookup. But they have changed a lot of channels that you need to have the cable box. Will my VCR still work without the converter box?

A: While most Cable companies seem to be continuing the analog transmission of TV stations there is no guarantee how long that will continue. All of the cable providers we talk to recommend that their subscribers have cable boxes on all devices (VCRs, TV, etc.) after the transition. On PIP you would need to make sure that you can continue to have access to the analog cable channels, which depending on the company you're using, may or may not be continued in the future.

I have Cablevision service in my home but I only have 2 cable boxes on the 4 TVs in my home. After the conversion, what happens to the 2 TVs that don't have a cable box but have a direct cable line attached?

A: After the transition date (6/12/09), Cablevision suggests that all TVs have a converter. There may be a period of time that you will continue to enjoy service on the non-converter TVs, but to ensure total service this is their recommendation. You also may be able to use a TV with a QAM in the Clear tuner to directly connect to cable but the number of services that it can pick up may be limited to "lower" channels only. There are a number of Internet user group resources that may be able to give you additional information in this area. I would suggest browsing through www.avsforum.com and looking for the "NYC Forums" where you will find specific groups for each cable/satellite provider as well as general TV forums. Cablevision tells us that all analog TVs must have a converter. We do not have any information on how many channels or for how long Cablevision will continue providing analog channels past the transition.

I purchased a TV with digital and analog tuners last March, used with rabbit ears. At that time I was able to pick up all NYC-area broadcast stations with the digital tuner. By the first week in August all I could get were NBC 4 and Fox 5 (all their digital channels). The service reps at Sylvania say that it is because the stations are doing things with their transmitters and I should be able to get them all next June. The analog signals are as good as my old analog set, same location, same antenna. Does that sound right to you? Have all but Ch. 4 and Ch. 5 reduced or cut their signals since last March?

A: About that time the new combined DTV antenna went into service that WCBS, WNBC, WABC, WWOR, WPIX, WNET shares. WNYW (FOX 5) has a separate antenna system. It is not uncommon from channel to channel to see differences in received signals due to differing transmitter power levels and transmitter frequencies. I suspect you are in what we call a "null" in the antenna pattern that shows up more on the higher channels since WNBC is working and it's the lowest channel (28). I do not suspect you will see any difference in the WCBS, WNBC, WWOR or WNYW signals post 6/12/09. WABC, WPIX, and WNET will be changing channel assignments for their DT service post-6/12 so you may see a difference from them. If you have not already tried this I suggest reorienting your antenna. If it's an indoor version, moving it around the room might help. You also may need a slightly different position of the antenna depending on the channel. Changing the antenna system might help as well by using either a different antenna, going outdoors (if you are using an indoor antenna now), or adding a pre-amplifier.

Will my portable battery-operated TV become obsolete?

A: Any portable TV will need to have a digital ATSC tuner in order to continue receiving signals post 6/12. Very few portable TVs have this capability. The only work around is adding a digital converter ahead of an analog TV in order for it to continue to work. Of course this is not a viable solution for hand-held portable viewing. There also are solutions using a USB digital ATSC tuner plugged in to a battery-operated laptop computer.

What happens to my battery-operated TVs? I rely on these when the power goes out which is quite often in New York. I would think that Homeland Security would be concerned about the lack of communication if there is no power. Why make these battery-operated TVs obsolete if they have been so reliable for years? Also, who benefits from digital TV and why is the government not allowing us to make a choice? I have a TV with an antenna that has worked perfectly for 29 years! Plus I do not want to invest in cable boxes even with the coupon.

A: We have been able to find a couple of substitutes for the current analog portable TVs. Brands like Dynex, Haier and Coby are selling 7-inch LCD TVs that can receive ATSC (digital) signals. Another solution is to purchase a USB digital tuner, which can be plugged into your battery-operated laptop and used in a portable configuration.

As for the benefits of digital TV, well there are many not the least of which is an improved picture and sound that can be displayed on the smallest as well as the largest of TVs without diminishing the viewing experience. Additionally the FCC is able to repurpose some of the no longer used spectrum and allow this to be used for enhancement of our nationwide public safety radio services.

How do I know what channels I'll get with digital without getting cable or satellite?

A: The number and type of channels you will be able to receive will primarily depend on your location and antenna type (indoor/outdoor). You can use this site to give you an idea of what's available: www.antennaweb.org.

In addition to the converter box, do I need an antenna if I have no cable?

A: Yes, you will need an antenna to feed the input of the converter. Depending on your location you may be able to use an indoor version antenna. Check www.antennaweb.org and see what type of antenna is recommended for your location. Most electronics retailers (both online and in stores) carry several models of these antennas.

If I hook up my TV to the converter box now, will it work properly? My concern is that the box will be defective and I won't be aware of it until June.

A: You should go ahead and hook it up now and make sure it works. All of the New York stations are sending out digital signals NOW so you should get a good feel for how things will work post 6/12.

I tried to apply online for two coupons for the converters. The Web site said my address does not exist, so I did it by phone and got a reference number. This was in July; to date no coupons. Tried to apply again online -- it still says my address is invalid and lived here for 40 years!

A: Give them a call back again (800-388-2009) or fax them at 877-388-4632. The address is: TV Converter Box Coupon Program; P.O. Box 2000; Portland, OR 97208-2000. Also you can e-mail them by going to www.dtv2009.gov; click on "Contact Us" at the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form.

I have an analog TV. I live in a basement and have no access to an external antenna. Will I be able to buy a small rabbit-ears antenna and hook it up to a converter box and receive digital programming? If so will I also receive more channels as well?

A: If you go to www.antennaweb.org and put in your address you will be able to get an idea of what type of antenna you need at your location. You can get an indoor antenna, but how well it would work depends on many factors (distance to our transmitter, obstructions, type of antenna, etc.). I also would recommend searching the Web for information on what results others have found with the various antennas available. It will take some trial and error when you get an antenna to find the best spot, and in some cases the same spot may not work equally well for all New York City stations.

Should my digital converter be working now? When I connect it to my TV it says "no signal."

A: Yes your converter should be working now -- most all New York City stations are operating with their final transition systems fully operational. The "no signal" condition could be anyone of a number of issues:

1. Make sure the converter is properly connected to your TV: your antenna should be connected to the input of the converter, and the output of the converter must connect to your TV set's antenna input.

2. Your converter may have an option (Switch or Menu setting) for the output channel (3 or 4); make sure it is set to 3 and the TV should be set to the same channel.

3. If you are using an indoor antenna, you will need to try several different locations in the room and move the orientation to see if you get a signal. (Remember that acquiring the signal may take a few seconds so you want to go through these tuning steps carefully and slowly.)

4. If you still do not have signal, then you may need a better antenna -- one with a pre-amplifier or an outdoor antenna. This is all location-dependant.

If you go to www.antennaweb.org you can put in your address and get some recommendations on which antenna setup will work best for your location.

If I have DirecTV satellite service do I have to worry about getting the converter box? Will I be able to receive Fox 5 and other local stations?

A: If you are receiving the over-the-air New York City stations now using this receiver then I suggest you try tuning "5-1" and see if you get Fox 5's digital signal. If you get a signal, then you will be ready to go after 6/12/09.

How do I connect my VCR?

A: One of the common issues we hear about is the inability of VCRs to directly receive ATSC (digital) signals. This means that in order for your existing VCR to receive digital channels you would need to add a converter box in your antenna feed before the VCR to enable decoding of the transmissions. This would limit you to only recording from the currently selected converter channel unless you manually switch before making the next recording. This makes multiple timer or unattended recordings difficult -- if not impossible. Our recommendation would be to purchase a DVD recorder that has an integrated ATSC tuner that also allows for multiple unattended timer recordings.

My dad already owns an over-the-air digital antenna. How can we find out which "color bands" it receives? He has owned it for a number of years.

A: If the antenna has both VHF (channels 2-13) and UHF (channels 14-51) capabilities and you are able to receive the analog VHF and UHF New York stations over the air without issue then you should be OK. There is always a chance that the antenna may need to be re-orientated to fully receive all digital TV channels. But we suggest that your father obtain a digital reception device (converter, TV, etc.) now so that he can make those adjustments ahead of time and have seamless service. For people with outdoor antennas this becomes more important as each days passes and we approach weather that will make accessing outdoor equipment more difficult.

I currently have a digital box and the picture is great. However, at times I lose the signal or get a message saying "no program" or "weak signal." How do I strengthen the signal?

A: If you have not already done so, go to www.antennaweb.org, put in your address, and get advice on the type of antenna needed for your location along with some orientation tips. As you may have already found out, orientation can be very important. You may have to experiment with moving the antenna many times before you get a spot that works well for all channels. Reception results can vary channel by channel. Better signals generally come from finding the best antenna location, using the correct size/type antenna, and use of a pre-amplifier (booster) if needed.

I own a radio that receives the sound portion of the TV broadcast. I enjoy listening to sports programs as well as the news. Will this radio become obsolete? If so, is there any solution?

A: At this time we are not aware of any products that are DTV audio-only receivers. So after 6/12, you will no longer be able to listen in this manner.

My TV is capable of carrying ASTC signals. Most of my TV programming comes from DirecTV satellite, but my TV says they are in NSTC, which I know is analog. Should I do anything?

A: At this time most providers like DirecTV are continuing to provide analog service. For those channels that do convert to digital, DirectTV is providing a conversion within your receiver. How long they continue to support this mode is unknown so we suggest that you contact them for further updates.

Will the digital transmitter power be increased for Fox 5 and others on the changeover date? I live 5 miles southeast of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. I receive New York City analog TV over a high-gain antenna. My new digital TV cannot pick up a single digital station except on rare occasions digital Ch. 25. My converter box for an analog TV gives the same results. I have tried new boosters and antennas with no change. I cannot afford pay TV. Does this mean I will no longer have access to New York City TV stations next June? There are many people living 50 or more miles away that will have the same problem. The analog signals I now receive vary from good to excellent depending on the station. Fox 5 is good to excellent, but digital is too weak to be found.

A: After 6/12 some stations will be putting their digital signals on their "old" analog channels (WABC, WPIX, WNET to name a few). Most stations will not be making a change and are currently operating at their post transition maximum power levels.

Why can't an analog TV with a digital converter receive Ch. 21 or Ch. 25?

A: Ch. 21 (WLIW) and Ch. 25 (WNYE) both broadcast their digital signals from a site other than where most of the other New York City stations broadcast from. So you may need to reorient

My digital TV often seems to gets no signal every night from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. What is going on why is nothing being mentioned to the viewing public?

A: Periodically the TV and FM Stations that are collocated will do maintenance in the overnight period. Since we share this facility many times when one station needs to do tower work the others must shut down as well to allow the work to proceed. The normal hours for this work are 1 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. There is no way to predict all of the hours needed for repair projects while we do have some notice on upgrade projects. We do these during the overnight hours to minimize the impact to the over-the-air viewers. We are sorry for this inconvenience but it is a necessary part of using a shared facility with many other broadcast users.

I have a coaxial cable going into my converter box, but I don't have an antenna so when my converter box searches for channels, I don't get any at all. Even if I try the frequency, I get nothing. What do I need to do to make my converter box work?

A: Where does the cable that goes into your converter box come from? Is it from a cable box, master outdoor antenna system, satellite or something else? You will need to have an over-the-air antenna in order to feed a converter. This can be either an indoor or outdoor version, but that depends on your location. Go to www.antennaweb.org for recommendations on what type/style antenna you need. If the cable you are now feeding into the box comes from something other than an over-the-air antenna then the box will not work.

I have cable (Service Electric Cable) for my TV already. Is that all I need or do I need to install a digital converter? I have noticed that one of the channels (TBN) already switched over and now I am not able to receive it. I get a message for that channel that says the signal isn't strong enough for broadcast. 

A: Most cable systems are preparing or have already converted most channels that fall under the June 12, 2009, deadline. TBN may have been moved to a “digital” tier to prepare for the changes. Only over-the-air broadcast channels will be affected by the transition (WCBS, WNBC, WNYW, WABC, WWOR, WPIX, WNET, etc.), although again like TBN there may be some fallout from these changes that collaterally impact other non-transition channels. In general, a cable subscriber should be OK with an analog TV and a cable set-top box after the transition. Contact your cable provider and get the latest information on how they are handling this change and what subscribers need to do.

I work in a 300-bed nursing home. Are there special rates/incentives for nursing homes? Or does a converter box need to be purchased for every room? Can we get coupons for each TV?

A: If the TVs do not have digital tuners then each one will require an individual converter unit. I am not aware of any program for coupons to be used by entities such as nursing homes. See www.dtv2009.gov for information on the coupon program. If the TVs are connected to cable, you should be OK. Call your cable company to double check.

My TV has only one outlet -- for the antenna. How do I connect the HD box with all its cables to my TV to get the HD?

A: The digital converters also have an RF output for channel 3 or 4. So you can unhook your current antenna connection going into the TV and plug that into the digital converter's input. Then you should connect the RF output from the converter back to the TV's RF input (where you just removed the antenna from). You do not need to use the audio/video connections from the digital converter to connect to your TV (but they are available for TVs that have those connections available).

In general, what is the cost to convert one TV to digital? Is it better to just get cable instead? I have cable service for my other TVs.

A: It depends on what type of antenna you would need or if you have an existing antenna that might work. The converters cost from $40 to $60. An inexpensive indoor antenna could run from $20 to $30. Outside antennas (depending on installation) could run you $75.

I have a Toshiba 32D46 television. Is this TV ready for the digital conversion or will I need to get a converter box?

A: That model supports digital TV reception from both over-the-air and cable feeds. You should not need an external converter box for over-the-air reception. You will need an antenna; depending on your location you could use either an interior or exterior version. If you want more information on antennas, visit www.antennaweb.org and put in your address. The site will then make some recommendations.

I have a Magnavox 20MS2331/17 television. Does it have digital input/ATSC or not? Where do I go from here? I currently use a regular antenna and I have a RF modulator that is hooked up to my DVD player. What changes would I have to make to view digital TV without any problems? I am totally confused at this point.

A: According to the Magnavox Web site, that TV will not work with off-the-air digital signals after 6/12/2009. You need to purchase a digital converter. You would then connect your antenna to the input of the digital converter, then connect the converter output to the TV's antenna input. You can also go to www.dtv.gov for additional information from the FCC. The site also has some diagrams that show a typical installation.

I keep reading that if I have cable I don't have to do anything, but RCN says I have to rent a box for each TV for $2.95 a month. Am I being ripped off? I have basic cable and do not use pay per view. Also, could I just buy the converter and own it rather than renting?

A: Most cable companies are charging for the rental of a converter box. The converter box referred to as the digital tuner (ATSC tuner) needed for over-the-air broadcasters is different from the cable company's box -- the two are not interchangeable. Cable companies over the next few months will be making many changes to account for this transition of broadcasters from analog to digital. This means that some TVs may work without converters (QAM tuner) and some will not (analog TVs). Check out www.dtv.gov where you can get some additional information.

What are the DTV channel names?

The FCC-mandated channel-numbering scheme will require all stations to use their current main channel number as the primary number (FOX is #5) and then assign a secondary channel number based on the sub-channel numbering scheme. For example, WNYW/FOX 5 will show the primary channel as 5-1. WWOR/MY 9 will be 9-1. Any additional channels that the broadcasters add to their program stream will be sequentially numbered in sequence in the same pattern: 5-2, 5-3, etc. Our call letters will remain the same (WNYW) with DT in place of TV (WNYW-DT) as now used on our analog program stream.

Right now I don't have cable. Should I just get cable to make my TV work?

A: The transition to digital TV will require all over-the-air viewers to have a digital TV (ATSC tuner) or an external converter for older analog TVs. Cable companies are now asking their customers to also have converters on all TVs that are connected to cable. So an older analog TV will work next year as long as you have a compatible converter box.

What specific frequencies do WNYW-DT and WWOR-DT currently broadcast? How is the signal for WNYW-DT and WWOR-DT currently polarized? Where are the broadcast antennas for WNYW-DT and WWOR-DT currently located? After 6/12/2009, will the frequencies be changed, will the polarization be changed, and will the antenna locations be changed?

A: WNYW-DT is on TV Channel-44 (650 Mhz-656 Mhz), WWOR-DT is on TV Channel-38 (614 Mhz-620 Mhz), the signals are largely horizontally polarized, we broadcast from Midtown Manhattan. After 6/12/09 we will not be making any near-term changes that will affect frequency or polarization. Over the long-term, all New York City broadcasters are looking at revising antenna locations on the current tower to remove the old analog antennas and make better use of the tower space and height.

I understand that not all converters receive all channels. A friend told me that there are only three brands that do so. Which brands should I consider to receive all TV channels?

A: While I have not heard of the issue you are reporting, I can imagine that some units may work better that than others. We have not done any testing of these units so I cannot give you a recommendation, but I am sure you can find in the various TV forums on the Internet many resources for comparing the features and performance of digital converters. The converter coupon program Web site features a list of converters approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

How many channels will I get with digital TV?

A: If you do not have cable you should be able to receive (with a proper antenna) the New York City over-the-air stations. These should include the major networks: FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Univision, Telmundo, and so on. You will need an antenna -- the type/style will depend on local conditions (height, obstructions, receive distance). Input your address at www.antennaweb.org and answer a few questions. You'll get an idea of what type antenna you will need and potentially what stations you will be able to receive. Also, several of the major electronics retailers have help desks to answer specific DTV questions. Finally if you do not have a TV that is digital ready (ATSC tuner) then you will need an over-the-air converter to change the digital signal into an analog signal.

I had applied for two coupons and was told to expect them to be mailed in July. When they did not come I contacted the Web site and was told there was a delay and to expect them in 3-4 weeks. When they did not come I again e-mailed and was now told they came and expired and I cannot get coupons. What do I do when I am missing two meals a week and cannot afford a converter box without getting these supposedly free coupons that do not come in the mail?

A: In a recent interview, FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate advised viewers who have not had success in getting their coupons to call 888-CALL-FCC and request help in correcting this situation. The converter coupon program is run under the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (www.ntia.doc.gov); you can also mail to: DTV 2009 Coupon Program Comments, P.O. Box 2000 Portland, OR 97208-2000.

What do I need if I have DirecTV?

A: If you currently have a DirecTV subscription and have "Local in Local" for NYC then you should be ready to go. DirecTV is making some changes to the system that allows for the rollout of the new Local in Local HD channels, so at some point you may need to upgrade your receiver/set top box. Our suggestion is to double-check with DirecTV to confirm. There are also a number of very good consumer forums on the Web that discuss DirecTV and HD questions. One that you might try is AVS Forum. If you are not using DirecTV for your local TV reception and use an over-the-air method, then you will need a digital converter box.

What stores sell the converter boxes? When purchasing the box, do I need my TV's name and model number?

A: Most major electronic retailers accept the coupons and carry several of the models that can be purchase. Some converters are not eligible, but the store will be able to tell you which ones are. Or print out a list of “acceptable” models at www.dtv2009.gov. You should not need the make and model of your TV, but it’s always helpful to shop with as much information as possible. Most converters use RF in (indoor or outdoor antennas) and a Channel 3 or 4 output to go into your standard RF input (antenna connection) on your TV.

There are so many converter boxes to choose from; could you suggest at least one?

A: The converters that are "approved" by the NTIA for the Coupon Program all should work about the same. Look at some of the digital TV forums online, such as , and look for user reviews on these units.

After getting the digital converter box, will I still need to use the "rabbit ears" antenna?

A: Yes, you will always need to have an antenna to feed into the converter; it can be an indoor ("rabbit ears") or an outdoor version, depending on your location.

Why am I not receiving your channel 5 HD broadcast signal? Channel 9-2 doesn't count. I get every station except for you and channel 13. I live in the West Village near the Hudson River.

A: WNYW-DT is operating at a higher power level and different antenna from the rest of the group. This means that you may need to re-orient your receive antenna for WNYW or make sure that you do not have too much signal (reflections, multi-path) sometimes. As hard as this may be to believe you can have too much signal, which causes interfering bouncing signals (multi-path) to cancel out the main signal. Channel 13 I believe is running low power, which will change after the transition date of 6/12/09. Try relocating or turning your antenna and see what happens.

What do you do with your old TV set after you get upgraded? How do you upgrade? Do you have to get a whole new TV set for that?

A: You do not have to get rid of your older analog TV if you add a digital converter in front of it. If you do decide that you also want to buy a new TV then it should not need a separate converter and should be able to receive ATSC signals. You current antenna may work for the new TV or converter or may need to be upgraded. Most of the major electronic retailers have DTV resources that can answer these questions and make some equipment suggestions. If you decide you no longer need your old TV check with you local city or county recycling center to find out what options are available for disposal.

Do I need any additional boxes if I already have Cablevision?

A: If you have existing cable service on all of your TVs and use a converter issued by Cablevision on all TVs then you are ready. If you do not have current Cablevision set-top boxes on all TVs then you may have issues after the 6/12/09 transition, we suggest that you contact Cablevision and they can walk you through what you may need to do. So if your TVs do not have a Cablevision box then you will need to add boxes for each TV.

Are all analog to digital converter boxes the same, or are some better then others (better picture quality, etc.?)

A: We have read reports online that some boxes work better than others. I would suggest you search out some of the TV forums, where I am sure you will find some helpful information in these groups. One that we see quite often with loads of useful information is AVS Forum. They have groups for specific areas of the country; specific makes and models TVs, VCRs. Converters, and signal providers (cable/satellite). Also if you are going to apply for and use a coupon to assist with the purchase of a converter, then www.dtv2009.gov has a list of approved converters and the online form to apply for coupons.

My building in Forest Hills has a master antenna which is how I get my TV reception. When I get a converter box, will the master antenna work as is, or will it need some kind of adjustment or part, etc?

A: As long as the master antenna system is setup to receive all VHF and UHF channels then you should be able to connect a converter if the feed is just a split of an antenna that is roof mounted. In some installations they actually take down the channels, remodulate them, and create their own pseudo cable style feed including sometimes their own local channel. Our best recommendation is to speak with building management and ask them what they are recommending for viewers in the building.

I am receiving transmission from satellite. My TV set is over 10 years old. Do I need a converter or will the satellite company automatically convert to digital for me?

A: Our information shows that most satellite subscribers independent of the type/model TV should be OK after the transition if you have a current set-top box. In order to be absolutely sure you should call your provider and review the model receiving equipment you are now using.

I missed the test that was given last Tuesday to see if my TV has a digital tuner. Will Fox 5 run the test again? I hope so. Thanks for answering my question.

A: We are planning to run more of these tests in December and January. Dates are not set as yet but will be available on our Web site.

How do you connect the Philips indoor amplified antenna to a digital TV converter?

A: The RF out connector on the back of the antenna unit needs to be directly connected to the digital converter RF Input using a coax cable with "F" connectors on each end. Both the antenna and converter should have matching connectors. You should be able to get a pre-connected cable at most major electronics retailers.

I have cable TV coming into my home for three TV sets. One of the sets has a cable box with extended channels. The other two are connected directly to a cable line. Will I have to obtain a cable box for those two TV sets?

A: In checking with the a few of the local cable companies, they all state that in the near future all subscribers will need converters for all TVs connected to cable in the home. While you may still be able to get some channels today, most of the providers are moving services to a digital tier that requires a converter or at the least a QAM tuner in your TV. Even with a QAM tuner many channels today when they switch to digital are also being scrambled -- which again gets you back to the converter. The best suggestion we can make is to contact your local provider and discuss the options they have available for you.

I recent brought a Zenith digital box and was very happy with the picture. But when I connect to my VCR, I was not able to copy another program when watching the digit program on another channel. I was only able to record the same channel I was watching. The other channel that I was trying to record had no signal. Is it because now my signal is digital and my VCR tuner is analog?

A: You are on the right track; the converter only allows one channel to be received at any one time. So what you see on your TV is the only thing the VCR can record. The only way to correct this is to get a separate converter for the VCR and hook it up to the same antenna source.

I am located in a rural section of central New Jersey and am currently able to pick up your analog broadcast but unable to pick up your HD signal on my digital TV and antenna. What over the air station numbers do you broadcast your HD signals on? Will you be increasing your HD signal strength prior to or after the 2/19/09 cutover to digital to cover the same geographical areas that your current analog signal covers?

A: WNYW/Fox 5 operates on UHF DT Channel 44, and WWOR/My 9 operates on UHF DT Channel 38. On a digital TV or converter, these should display as 5-1 and 9-1. Both of our stations are operating at the maximum allowed power for these channels as set by the FCC. We are required to use the FCC's method of calculation to determine what our UHF signals can be in order to duplicate our current analog coverage.

My mother resides in Caldwell, N.J., and her converter box will only pick up Channel 4 and some local N.J. channels. I live two towns away from her and cannot receive any New York channels, but I do get some local Jersey channels. We both have large outside antennas on our roof tops. Can you tell us if we need new stronger antennas to get the signal and if so, who do we call to install them?

A: With analog signals, the pointing of the antenna was not as critical as it is today. You probably need to have someone come in and re-orient your antenna so that you pick up all the stations. Digital signals are prone to cancellation from "ghost" (multi-path) signals. They cancel out the good signal and then you are not able to pick up anything. If you swing the antenna a few degrees one direction or the other, you may bring in more or all stations. Most major electronics retailers have access to technicians who can help with these issues and several have specific help desks just for DTV questions.

I think you should start looking into the problems people will have with reception with these digital converter boxes. You will see a lot of people complaining that when the boxes can't acquire a signal, the signal cuts out completely, unlike with "rabbit ears" where you just get lousy picture quality. I live in Brooklyn in a rear-facing building, so the signal has a hard time getting through, as it can't really bounce around the concrete walls of all of the other buildings.

A: What you are describing is a side effect of any digital technology, whether it cell phones or TVs. Many folks refer to it as the "Cliff Effect," where everything is great even as the signal gets weaker and weaker, then it's totally gone. It doesn't get noisy like analog and then disappear. So yes, in weak signal areas the converter has a tough time locking on to the signal. Also the coverage between our current analog channels and the digital channels may differ in some areas. So where analog now works great, the new digital may be better, the same or possibly worse. The FCC has some good information on www.dtv.gov.

I have the converter box attached to my analog TV with slightly amplified attic antenna. Previous reception was ALWAYS good on Channel 5, always lousy on 13, the others OK. I can receive NONE digitally. My converter box can't even find them, much less produce a usable signal. I live in Nyack, within 30 miles of Empire State Building. Why can't I even detect the regular channels?

A: The "new" digital channels are for the most part UHF channels. In the past you have enjoyed reception of the VHF signals and from what you describe it seems that you got the "low band" 2-5 better than the "high band" 7-13. This makes sense with your location. Unfortunately the UHF signals are more line of site so buildings, hills, or other obstacles can reduce the levels of signal you would see. You may need to do one or more of the following:

• Improve your antenna. Increase in size or add a new pre-amp of higher gain.
• Reposition your antenna. Many times just a small movement of the antenna azimuth will make the difference between good or no signal conditions.
• Change/check the RF cable from the antenna to the converter. Make sure it is low-loss coax.
• Check any splitters you have. Remember that the fewer splits the better. Also make sure all of your equipment (antenna, coax, connectors, splitters) are rated for UHF use.
• You may have to move the antenna outdoors.

Those are the most common issues we see. You will have to do a re-scan each time you adjust the antenna to see if you can acquire a signal. Sometimes you will get one or two of the channels and not the rest, then you need to continue to move the antenna until you can get as many channels as possible. Check out www.antennaweb.org, which has some recommendations on antenna pointing (direction) and what style antenna would be best for your location also the site will let you know what channels you can expect to receive.

Some cable systems provide a channel-mapping service that allows you to get signals on an analog tuner without a cable box. For example, I get WCBS on Channel 2, WNBC on Channel 4, WNYW on Channel 5, etc. In addition, I get a few other channels like NY1 on Channel 3 and C-SPAN. Will this continue?

A: Most of the major Cable providers tell us that yes this service will continue for some time into the future. The cable providers have been working with the FCC to ensure that viewers without converters or digital TVs are served, as much as possible.

I have a rooftop antenna. After connecting the converter box I receive UHF channels but not VHF? Without the converter box, I receive VHF but not UHF?

A: Once you place the converter in line and do a channel scan you should see analog and digital signals for all of the stations that you are able to receive. This means, for example, that if you see WNYW/Channel 5 you would have the following channels available on your converter: 5, 5.1, and 5.2. If you do not have these then you will not "see" all channels. In the example, "5" is the current analog (VHF) station, "5.1" is the digital version, and "5.2" is a simulcast of WWOR on WNYW's digital transmitter. If you are not seeing these types of channels then your converter is either, not working properly, not channel scanned properly, or has an issue with the antenna feed/signals it is being provided.

I would like to purchase a low-priced HDTV, but I am unable to afford an ongoing cable service bill. Can an HDTV get good reception with JUST a converter box and/or an HD antenna?

A: All TV currently sold should have an ATSC (digital) tuner -- so you do NOT need a converter. You will, however, need an adequate antenna for your location. Go to www.antennaweb.org to get guidance on the type and style of antenna you will need at your home.

Are they still changing to digital in February or was it rescheduled for June?

A: Yes, Congress has approved a delay until June 12.

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If you still need answers, go to our DTV Conversion Guide, which has much more advice and information and a place to submit questions to Al Shjarback.