Just in case you didn't notice, Portland, Maine's CW Network affiliate, WPXT, Channel 51, was the first station in Maine to turn off its analog signal. They only send out a digital signal.
For those of you using cable or satellite services, you won't notice the difference because they are down-converting the digital signal to analog.
For those of you using an antenna who don't have a digital TV or digital converter box, you have LOST YOUR SIGNAL FOR GOOD.
If you have a digital or HDTV and use an antenna, you can only receive the digital signal which, right now, is broadcast on UHF channel 43 (it still appears as channel 51, the 43 is behind the scenes so to speak.
So this is good and bad. Good for Channel 51 since they are the first to do it in Maine and are the first to remove their analog signal from cluttering up the airwaves. It's bad for anyone who doesn't have cable or satellite, or has not yet bought a digital TV or conveter box.
The FCC allows TV stations to drop their analog signal as early as February 19, 2008 without further approval from the FCC. WPXT applied for an earlier shut-off date and it was approved by the FCC. The FCC wants as many stations as possible to do exactly what WPXT did to avoid having one single day when everyone shuts off analog and goes all digital. That scenario would probably create lots of havoc for those who aren't ready and/or have no idea in the first place that they were supposed to do something. The hope is that as local affiliates turn off their analog signals, viewers who are no set up for digital will notice and make the changes they need to make. If all of this happened on one day, well, let's just say I wouldn't want to be answering the phones at a Maine television station on that day, or at the FCC. Oh, and I wouldn't want to be working at Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, or anyone else who is selling converter boxes.
So, the games have begun. We can't run back now. The digital age is here so I hope you are all ready. There is lots of information to help on this blog if you need it.
4 comments:
This cosumer is very unhappy with the switch to digital. It forces the consumer to pay more for less...new equipment that recieves fewer channels.
I certainly understand and agree. I have had numerous conversations via email with the FCC, the Maine Association of Broadcasters, and TV stations in Maine. They all realize there are reception issues and the problem is that they were told it WOULD NOT be an issue. So now that people are starting to set up their digital converter boxes, it is all unraveling. TV stations are not in a position to build higher towers, or more towers and the FCC has not established rules about how strong signals have to be. One suggestion I can offer is to contact your Senator (Collins or Snowe) and file a complaint. As we get closer to Feb 19, this is all going to come to a head. Probably sooner since most TV stations are not going to wait until the last day to shut off their Analog signal. Remember, Feb 19 is the LAST DAY OF ANALOG, not the first day of digital.
I live in Augusta on one of the highest hill around. I just happen to have a Rohn tower (120feet) and have mounted the UHF antenna at the 100 foot level. All UHF HDTV have a very strong signal but there is no channel 43. Is it on there air now? What tower is it broadcasting from? Is it up to full power? Seam strange to me that I dont see it.
Dave.
I don't know what a Rohn tower is but I'm not sure it matters. I'm not that smart;)
This is an email I got last week from the General Manger of WPME and WPXT (same company manages both).
WPXT and WPME both broadcast from the same tower location…Gray, ME. You can see two towers from the turnpike (on the left as you head north) about two miles south of the Gray exit. We are on the top of a hill do our 700 foot towers are about 1,200 feet above sea level. We picked that spot because it is half-way between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn, the two largest population centers in the market. WGME is in Raymond, WCSH is in Sebago and WMTW is in West Baldwin. WCBB and WPFO are in Litchfield (they are licensed to Augusta and Waterville respectively and have to be located physically closer to those communities. MPBN also has a tower for channel 26 on the big hill in Sanford.
I can assure you that Channel 35 - WPME - My Network = UHF 28 and Channel 51 - WPXT - The CW Network = UHF 43 are running full power from that tower. I receive both of them. The analog signal for both is now gone.
I hope this helps. You may write to me directly at mainehdtv@gmail.com if you'd like.
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