The digital television transition is this Friday, but this time around, there won't be any delays.
On June 12, all full-power television stations in the U.S. are federally mandated to switch from analog signals to digital ones. After that, without a digital converter box, a TV with a digital tuner, or a cable or satellite signal, people will not be able to receive a television signal.
The original deadline had been February 17 of this year, but concerned that not enough Americans were prepared, Congress extended the deadline to June 12. President Barack Obama released a statement last week ensuring that the transition will indeed take place this time.
As of May 24, 2.7 percent of U.S. households were still unprepared to receive a digital signal, which was down from 5.1 percent on February 1, according to Nielsen Media Research. Roughly 11 percent of U.S. households are broadcast-only.
How prepared Maryville and Nodaway County are is a little harder to gauge, as Nielsen only narrows down that type of information for the nation's 56 largest markets.
Wal-Mart has seen customers trickle in to buy the necessary equipment as the deadline approaches, but not like in February, said Ian Carlson, Wal-Mart entertainment zone merchandise supervisor.
"Since they had the original deadline back in February, that was when our big rush was. Then it got pushed back and we haven't seen that same rush," Carlson said. "I'm sure we'll get a few people after the switch happens that didn't get (a converter box) and they're wondering why their TV doesn't work — we might get a few of those — but I think most of the public already has it and they're ready to go."
Carlson said many of the customer's coming in to buy converter boxes now are doing so for their recreational vehicles.
Another reason residents might need a converter box is to receive a signal from ABC affiliate KQTV, Sears Manager Ryan Gessert said. Neither DirecTV or DISH Network offers the St. Joseph station at this time. Gessert has also encountered several misconceptions from customers about what the digital transition will entail. Several people still don't realize that they won't need a converter box if they have a cable or satellite signal. And residents that don't own a TV capable of showing high definition signals won't get that service, he said.
"(Some customers) think everyone is going to high definition instead of digital. They think that they're going to get a signal from that box like they would from a satellite company that's providing that extra service for an extra charge, but it's really just digital," Gessert said. "It's going to increase their picture quality a little bit, but not drastically like high definition would."
In addition to a converter box, residents trying to receive a digital signal over-the-air will need an antenna of some sort to assist in the process. A digital signal works a little differently than an analog one, Best Brands Plus Owner Cliff McNair said.
"A lot of people don't understand that it takes a very good signal. They've been getting by on analog and watching a snowy picture. Digital won't work on a snowy picture. It's strictly going to be perfect. You have to have a certain amount of signal strength," McNair said. "My understanding — what the industry has told us — is that they're not broadcasting at full strength until they shut analog off. So they should get about a 10 to 15 percent bump in signal. Hopefully, that will take care of most people's problems."
Nodaway County residents could also have a tough time pulling a digital signal if they live in low lying areas, are surrounded by several tall trees, or encounter competing signals.
They'll also rely on one of two television markets to pull signals from. A home's location could have a significant impact on the strength of the signal, McNair said.
"It really depends which way the land lies around you. Generally, most people in this area do better going to Omaha, because we're going more up a river valley for one, and there aren't any major cities or anything in between," McNair said. "Kansas City is pretty tough. If you're south of Maryville five or 10 miles and you're not in a hole, you can get Kansas City."
A switch to all-digital broadcasting will free up analog signals for public safety announcements for police, fire and rescue squads, according to the U.S. Government. It will also allow television stations to send multiple broadcasts over-the-air. For example, an affiliate could show a program in both standard and high definition. People can apply for a coupon to purchase a converter box at Dtv2009.gov, however coupons applied for now may not make it to applicants in time for the transition. There are also several resources online for finding more information on the digital transition, including at Dtv.gov and Fcc.gov.enter.
Maryville, Mo. —
