The big switch

Every day it gets closer, nearer. And for those who are not prepared, all they will see is black.

No, it's not doomsday; it's the digital television transition. On Feb. 17, 2009, all televisions must be able to receive a digital signal and all stations must be broadcasting a digital signal. Congress has made this mandate in order to free up frequencies for emergency response organizations.

This means in order to continue watching the news, sitcoms or soaps, your television must be compatible with a digital signal.

A five-minute test was held on Dec. 17 for people to verify whether or not they are DTV ready.

Basin PBS participated in the analog "soft shut down" and General Manager Daphne Dowdy Jackson said she understands there is a lot of confusion surrounding the big switch.

"Lots of folks understand some of what's going on, but they're hearing messages from all different sources, many of whom have a financial reason to paint a distorted picture. Basin PBS is a free service. We don't stand to make any money in this digital upgrade; therefore viewers trust our DTV information," she said.

Basin PBS has a vested interest in the transition because it's estimated "one out of every five PBS viewers get their television from their rabbit ears, so it was really important to us."

Broadcasters are trying many different avenues to alert people to the impending transition. The Federal Communications Commission has even sponsored a NASCAR race and car to reach out to audiences. But despite its best efforts, there are still people who have not made the switch.

Rudy Franco, a Gardendale resident who has yet to convert to digital, isn't worried just yet. He said he'd make the switch "probably Feb. 20."

"I just haven't had time ... I don't watch that much television," he said.

KOSA-TV CBS 7 received seven calls after the DTV awareness test but General Manager Barry Marks said of the seven, five were to say everything was just fine. Marks said the station is currently awaiting results from the Texas Association of Broadcasters on how many calls were received from the Odessa-Midland area.

Marks said during the test, a digitally compatible TV had a message scrolling that informed the viewer a test was going on and this TV has passed. A TV receiving a signal via antennae had a message reporting that the viewer was watching a TV that had "probably failed" the test and gave a number to call for further instructions.

Marks said it's estimated 11,000 homes in the Permian Basin are not ready for the switch. The rest, Marks said, had at least one television that was ready for the transition. Nielsen Media Research estimates 6 percent of homes nationwide are not ready for the conversion. Another test is tentatively panned for Jan. 15, 2009.

Marks said he knows that when Feb. 17 comes around some people will still not be ready. He said CBS 7 is prepared to handle the confusion.

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best," he said.

A few DTV Myths (and the facts to set it straight)

>> MYTH: I need to buy a new TV.

>> FACT: This is only one option. You can purchase a new TV or a converter box.

>> MYTH: TV will no longer be free for me.

>> FACT: You can still receive free television over the air with an antenna just like you do now as long as your TV either has a digital tuner or is connected to a converter box.

>> MYTH: One converter box will work for multiple TVs.

>> FACT: If you choose to buy converter boxes, you will need one converter box for each analog TV. Every analog set has to be connected to a pay TV service or converter box to get a TV signal after Feb. 17, 2009.

>> MYTH: I already have DTV because I subscribe to digital cable.

>> FACT: If you subscribe to any kind of cable, you should be ready for the transition. However, DTV and digital cable are not the same thing. DTV refers to a higher quality television signal and the method used to send that signal. Digital cable is purchased as a tier through cable providers, and it offers enhanced viewing options.