Making the transition
to digital TV

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

About 80 senior citizens and representatives of organizations that serve them turned out at the Far Northeast Senior Center recently to learn how to handle the looming Digital Television Transition.
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered that, as of midnight on Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power television stations must switch from broadcasting analog signals over the airwaves to digital signals. The change will free up the analog airwaves for public safety and commercial uses.
If you have cable or satellite television services, your viewing will continue uninterrupted.
In about nine months, however, folks without cable or satellite dishes will be left without a television signal. There’s no need to fear because there is a solution in the form of a little black box.
"The Philadelphia Responds Initiative is making sure those vulnerable populations are identified by our office and receive information and resources you need to make this transition as easy as possible," said Carole Smith, executive director of the Mayor’s Commission on Technology (MCOT).
Those vulnerable populations include the elderly, non-English speaking people, disabled people and those with low incomes.
MCOT and WHYY have partnered with City Council to educate Philadelphians about the transition. City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) made a brief appearance at the workshop, which his office hosted, before heading back to City Hall.
Bill Weber, WHYY vice president for content distribution and chief technology officer, was on hand to explain the ins and outs of connecting the converter boxes to analog television sets.
He described the basic steps of connecting the antenna to the converter box, which would then connect to the TV; adapters for old sets that use two screws to attach the antenna; and ways to hook up VCRs and DVD players.
The WHYY Technology Services help line also can answer your questions regarding the DTV transition, reception or technical setup at 215-351-1270 or by e-mail at dtv@whyy.org
While all the converter boxes have gone through certification, Weber explained that there are still variations on the way different companies addressed it.
Some include the connector cables, while others do not. Magnavox, for example, did not include any sound control on its remote control. The Zenith box includes the cables as well as a full-functioning remote. Weber suggests that people read the packages before purchasing. He also noted that you do not need to buy the same brand converter box as your television.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) created a coupon program that helps subsidize the cost of the box.
To help subsidize the cost of the shift from analog to digital television, NTIA will administer the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.
Every American household may request up to two free $40 coupons, which resemble plastic gift cards. They’ll be mailed to households beginning late this month, in the order applications were received. The coupon cards can be used to help pay for certified TV converter boxes, expected to retail for between $50 and $70.
To apply, you can call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009). For text telephone (TTY) in English, call 1-877-530-2634; in Spanish, call 1-866-495-1161; or go online to www.DTV2009.gov
It takes about two months to get the coupons, which look like red credit cards, complete with expiration dates.
Each coupon can be applied to the purchase of one certified converter box, available at local retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart and Wal-Mart. The coupons must be used at the time of purchase and are not redeemable for cash or any other purchase.
According to Smith, one issue that has arisen is that many seniors in assisted-living or nursing homes have been turned down for coupons because they don’t live in a household. Many of these facilities have cable, and NTIA is concerned about possible fraud.
However, the organization is considering a waiver for affected seniors. The public can give the NTIA input on the matter through June 8.
Representatives with Aid For Friends and St. Martha’s Senior Center were given Zenith converter boxes, donated by the company, to take back to their organizations so they can train others who work with seniors or the infirm.
For more information about the transition, call 1-888-CALL-FCC (voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY- text telephone). ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com