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KMTR NewsSource 16 is now broadcasting in digital on
KMTR DT 16.1...
But what exactly
does this mean to you?
The Federal
communications commission has ordered
that all television be broadcast in digital by June 12th 2009.
Until that time you will be
able to continue to watch TV as you normally do with your existing television.
But after 2009 (if the FCC
doesn’t change their mind, which they do from time to time), or if you want to
see what you're missing right now, you'll need some new equipment.
Why?
Because compared to the
old way of broadcasting television, Digital Television is a completely new
technology.
DTV & HDTV
These are terms that
you are going to be hearing quite frequently in reference to television over
the next few years.
DTV stands for Digital
Television. DTV allows much more information and a higher quality picture to be
broadcast than regular television.
HDTV stands for High Definition
Television. HDTV is a form of DTV but at much higher quality with a larger
picture size and Surround Sound audio capabilities.
What's the
Difference? Why do I need new equipment?
The DTV/HDTV picture is
significantly (some say amazingly) better than the standard television of
today. If you haven’t seen the difference, we suggest you visit your local
television retailer and see this incredible new technology in action.
The old style of television
is broadcast as an "analog" signal. These signals can carry one
stream of video, stereo audio and a small amount of other information, like
closed captions and second audio programming.
Televisions, as they are
now, have built-in receivers that allow you to receive the old style of
"analog" TV. These receivers are not equipped to receive and
translate the new digital signal into something you can see on your television.
A DTV/HDTV signal contains
8 separate streams of digital data. Combined, these streams can deliver much
more information to a digital receiver than was ever possible with a
traditional analog receiver.
This translates into much
higher quality video and audio; multiple channels of standard quality video and
audio; digital information like you use on a computer, or any combination of
the three.
To receive DTV /HDTV you'll need a digital television receiver and an antenna. In some limited cases, HDTV can be received through satellite television services. Comcast Cable is now offering KMTR NewsSource 16 HDTV programming on channel 703.
Because you will be getting
the signal over the air, you'll need to make sure you can receive it at your
home before you make an investment in new equipment. The easiest way to check this
is to hook up an antenna to your existing television. If you receive KMTR
NewsSource 16 now, in most cases you will get even better reception with a
digital receiver.
A Digital Receiver can be
attached to your existing television, but you will not be seeing a true digital
picture unless you have a newer TV with digital inputs. However, the picture
quality will still be better than regular TV. Also, you won't be able to watch
true HDTV on a regular TV.
The HDTV signal will need
to be processed by the receiver and either "squeezed" onto your
smaller (proportionally) TV screen or made smaller with black areas above and
below the picture (Letterbox) to allow the entire HDTV picture to be visible.
To get the full benefits of
the new technology, you will need to have either an HDTV set with a wider
screen and a built-in digital receiver or an HDTV monitor with a separate
digital receiver.
In addition, if you wish to
take advantage of the Surround Sound audio, you'll need a separate Surround
Sound system with 5 speakers attached to your receiver.
When you connect your
receiver for the first time, it will automatically search for all digital
signals that are available and provide you with an on screen guide that shows
you the channels, and in many cases, the programs that are on during the next
several hours.
What programs are
available in DTV & HDTV on KMTR DT 16.1, KTCW DT 46.1 AND KMCB DT 23.1?
Although not every show
on KMTR NewsSource 16 is originally produced digitally, they are all converted
to DTV and available at their regularly scheduled time on KMTR DT 16.1, KTCW DT 46.1 and KMCB DT 23.1. Some locally produced shows like NewsSource 16 Newscasts are
created and broadcast in DTV.
HDTV on KMTR DT 16.1, KTCW DT 46.1 and KMCB DT 23.1 is available during major NBC network programming like ER,
Law & Order and The Tonight Show, NBC Sports programs and many of your
favorite NBC Primetime shows.
For a guide listing
specific programs on KMTR DT 16.1 available in HDTV, click on the link entitled,
HDTV Programming on KMTR DT 16.1.
The Bottom Line
The face of television
is changing. Although the necessary equipment for this new technology is a
little expensive at this time, the price will start coming down as more and
more people demand access to affordable equipment. Color TVs were out of most
peoples price range when they first hit the market, but now its hard to find a
home that doesnt have at least one, or more commonly, two or three color TVs.
It will be the same with
Digital Television.
At KMTR NewsSource 16,
we're excited to be able to offer DTV & HDTV and we know you will have some
questions about this sometimes confusing technology.
You may ask your questions
by contacting our Engineering Department.
Now
that weve cleared all that up, LETS GET DIGITAL!!!!
KMTR
DT 16.1 Your Digital Source for Local News.
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