National DTV "soft tests" slated for Thursday
Thu May 21, 2009 11:49AM EDT
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If you're one of the last remaining viewers with an analog TV set, an over-the-air antenna, and no digital TV converter box, don't be surprised if your screen goes blank for a few minutes today.
Scores of TV stations around the country are conducing a series of "soft tests" Thursday in preparation for the impeding digital TV transition, slated for June 12—just three weeks away.
Most of the participating stations (you can find out if your station is taking part on the FCC's Web site) will run the test three times today: once early in the morning, again around noon local time, and once more between 5 and 7 p.m. (TV stations in some markets, such as Albuquerque, N.M., will run multiple tests in the evening.) The tests will run between two and five minutes, according to the FCC.
If you're watching TV over cable or satellite or you already have a DTV converter, you won't even notice the tests. But if you're still getting analog TV signals, the tests will interrupt any programming with a warning about the coming DTV deadline and information about how to prepare.
According to the latest numbers from Nielsen, only 3.1 percent of U.S. households (or about 3.5 million homes) are still "completely unready" for the analog TV shutdown, a figure that includes those with DTV converter boxes but have yet to hook them up to their TVs.
Are you among those who still aren't ready for the DTV transition? If so, check out the FCC's DTV Web site, which is chock full of information about what'll happen come June 12, where to buy a DTV converter box (they're about $50-$60 each), and how to apply for a converter box coupon (good for $40, and you can apply for two per household).
Related:
Broadcasters to Test Digital TV Transition on Thursday [Digital Media Wire]
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Comments on National DTV "soft tests" slated for Thursday
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2 Posted by alexgannis on Thu May 21, 2009 12:49PM EDT Report Abuse
After june 12 this should be the end for good enought with this it getting old very fast.
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3 Posted by monko12105 on Fri May 22, 2009 1:43AM EDT Report Abuse
THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED OVER 10 YEARS AGO, only .00000000000000000000000001 percent of the population probally still has a working antenna tv
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4 Posted by dcsoccer25 on Fri May 22, 2009 11:01AM EDT Report Abuse
Monko you're an idiot. Try multiplying that decimal by the number of people in the world. It comes out to less than one person. Don't be stupid.
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5 Posted by nighteye19 on Fri May 22, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm not ready! WAIT! NOT YET!
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1 Posted by dcsoccer25 on Thu May 21, 2009 12:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Get a box. Hook it up. You've had plenty of time, you've had government coupons, you've had delays in the switch, and you've had information in print, TV, and on the internet. Just do it. Everyone who is already prepared is sick and tired of hearing about having to delay the switch because others were too lazy.