The analog to digital transition is here
Town Hall | Island cable users won't lose networks and can restore Channel 22 with free converter box, for now
2 comments below
If you haven't been following the analog to digital transition, your older television set may go blank tomorrow. That's the bad news. The good news is that cable television users will continue to receive analog broadcasts of local network stations (Channels 2 through 13 and several others) after June 12, but how long the limited analog service will continue is uncertain.
According to Congressional legislation, broadcast stations must switch from the older analog format of television transmission to the newer digital broadcasting by June 12. This transition is intended to free up communication frequencies for public safety transmissions (such as police, fire, or emergency rescue signals) and allow broadcast stations to send data more efficiently. The government is also auctioning off parts of the analog spectrum to wireless services providers.
In order to continue viewing television programming, anyone with the older “over-the-air” analog system, receiving signals through antennae, must purchase either a digital converter box or a television equipped with a digital tuner. This includes portable (battery operated) analog televisions, which can only receive transmissions by connecting to a non-portable conversion box. All American households are eligible for up to two coupons, valued at $40 each, good towards the purchase of up to two converter boxes (to redeem your coupons, visit dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-CALLFCC [1-888-225-5322]). Note that these converter boxes are only intended for analog televisions that receive airborne television signals (through, for instance, a “rabbit-ears” or rooftop antenna).
Island residents who subscribe to Cablevision or a satellite television provider will not lose analog network broadcasting immediately after the June 12 switch.
Cablevision customers who receive analog feeds, however, may have already noticed the loss of 16 channels such as MTV, MSNBC, and the History Channel. This is not a direct result of the Congressional-mandated analog-to-digital switch. Rather, it is the result of a long-term trend towards totally digital cable communications. This will make more efficient use of bandwidth, since cable companies can fit several digital channels in the space required for one analog channel.
If you're a Cablevision customer wanting a channel restored, but are now greeted with the message, “This channel is now available with a digital cable box or CableCARD,” you will likely need to rent a set-top box from Cablevision for $6.75 a month for each television you use. For more information, contact Eastern Long Island Cablevision at 749-0844, 631-267-6900 or 631-727-6300, or visit their website at optimum.net/support.
Cablevision is willing to provide those who no longer receive Shelter Island's Government Channel 22 with a free cable box that will receive only the public access channel. To get a free Channel 22 cable box, call Supervisor Jim Dougherty's office (749-0291) to add your name to a list compiled by the town, or contact Cablevision directly at pwhitty@Cablevision.com — but do so soon, since this offer expires August 31, 2009.
The mandated switch was originally planned for February 17 of 2009, but it was postponed by Congress until June 12. Digital television provides enhanced sound and picture quality, as well as interactive video and data services — although the older analog TVs will not benefit from these improved features, even with a conversion box.
For more information, or if you're still unsure whether you will be affected, call 1-888-CALLFCC (1-888-225-5322) or visit the FCC's Digital TV Transition home page at dtv.gov.
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2 comments found
Cable Box : 6/11/2009
We get charged because our town board couldn't negotiate a contract if their lives depended on it. Cablevision always screws us because of weak town boards
Transition : 6/11/2009
Providing the free box is nice i guess, event if it is only for public access. What really burns me on this is that Cablevision is charging me $6.75/month for a converter box, that people in CT and other parts get for free (albeit with a govt. coupon). What gives Cablevision? Why are we getting ripped on this?
