Here are answers to some of the questions we're frequently asked.
Q: I've heard about Digital Television and High Definition Television. What's the difference?
A. You have found the key question. They are not the same.
Digital television (DTV) simply means the signal is transmitted as a bunch of ones and zeros. Right now, direct home satellite systems use a digital system to send signals to your home (where most likely, you convert them back to analog TV to play on your TV set). Some cable services do the same thing.
At this point, all commercial television stations in our area are operating a digital service on a separate channel from where you now watch them. NBC 23 has its digital service (KVEO-DT) on channel 23.1.
You cannot see digital TV on a regular (or analog) television. You will need a new, special digital TV set or set-top-box to see the new digital TV channels.
Digital television has some big advantages. The picture you get is exactly what the station sends out. There is no "snow" or "ghosts" on digital TV. You either get the picture or you don't. The audio is also much clearer with the same range you expect from CD's.
High Definition Television (HDTV) is a special wide screen, super sharp, version of digital TV. HDTV is transmitted with about five times the amount of picture information and up to six channels of digital audio. It will provide the viewer with a clarity and picture quality you need to see to believe. It also appears on a wider-screen (much more like a movie screen).
There isn't enough "room" (bandwidth) on the current TV channels to send HDTV and continue to provide you with today's television.
NBC 23 has begun HDTV service. But as this new medium starts, not all of KVEO's television shows are produced in HDTV.
We are carrying in HDTV all NBC shows that are produced in that format (and that's much of NBC's primetime schedule). All the rest of our schedule is being "converted" to a picture that looks a lot like HDTV and plays on your HDTV but isn't true HDTV. [Click here for more on NBC & HDTV]
As time passes and more and more people have HDTV, more and more shows will be produced in this new format.
Q. Is HDTV expensive?
A. Prices have come down a lot. But top of the line, large screen, plasma HDTV's could cost you $4,000 or more. Other HDTV TV sets are selling in the range of $1,500 and up. Projection HDTV's range from about $1,200 to $5,000.
But just like color, most people believe those prices will come down as more and more people want HDTV and competition gets stronger. Already, in the last few years, we've seen prices come down about a thousand dollars a TV.
And the set manufacturers point out that the early color TV's, relative to the black and white TV of the 50's, were actually more expensive.
Q. I hear that my old TV will become obsolete soon. That doesn't sound fair.
A. When the Government developed the plan for the transition from today's (analog) TV to digital Television, back in the 90's, they guessed it would be complete this year. They predicted most all TV's in your home would be the new digital ones. However, because that hasn't happened, the deadline has now been extended to February 17, 2009. On that date, unless the government delays it again,your non-digital TV's will no longer pick-up any over-the-air signals.
The Government has plans for many of the old, analog TV channels NBC 23 and other local TV stations now use. The expansion of cell phones and other wireless devices makes these frequencies very valuable. Today's TV channels are being sold to other industries.
As of February 2009, your only option will be cable, a new TV or 'converter boxes' that will turn the digital signals into signals your old TV can receive. Most people guess those converters -- which now cost about $500 -- will come down to about $100.
Beginning in 2008, you will be able to obtain up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of converter boxes for your analog TVs receiving over-the-air broadcasts. You can obtain these coupons from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which will be publishing rules on how to obtain and use the coupons sometime in 2006.
Q. I recently bought a HDTV monitor, but I can't find your new channel. What's wrong?
A. There is a big difference between a HDTV monitor and a HDTV set or receiver. If you are going to buy a new set, this is a key to getting the TV you really want. Retailers have been selling HDTV monitors for several years. Some, but not all, of those monitors have receivers built in for the old (analog) tv signals. Some have receivers for the new digital channels.
In order to see the new HDTV broadcast channels, you will need a digital receiver (some times called a set top box). Some new digital televisions come with the receivers built in. Some will require you to buy a separate set-top-box or get an HDTV signal (at extra cost) from your cable company or satellite provider. Without the built in receiver, those TV's are usually called HDTV "monitors" or are referred to as being "HDTV ready."
Your TV retailer should be able to help you find the right equipment. But before you buy, you should know how you're going to get your HDTV signal. Will you take the free, over the air signals from NBC 23 and other local broadcasters or will you get your HDTV signal from your cable company or from your satellite provider?
Q. Do I need an outside antenna for over-the-air digital TV?
A. If you live within the Rio Grande Valley, you may be able to use an inside "bow tie" antenna. But digital TV hates to see reflections and an antenna in your living room may be subject to reflections from people moving around in the room.
An inexpensive outside UHF antenna may be your best choice. It does not have to be located outside. Many people simply put them in their attic.
Q. Are your digital & HDTV channels going to be on cable or satellite?
A. Time Warner Cable in the Valley area now carries our HDTV program on their digital service (for an extra fee). Most other cable companies say that when enough viewers want the new digital and HDTV signals on cable, they will provide them.
While both "Dish Network" and "Direct TV" provide our station (and the other local Valley channels) on their satellite services, neither currently provides the HDTV version of our service (nor the other local HDTV channels). The satellite services will provide some HDTV channels like HBO, ESPN & Discovery, but at an extra charge.
Q. I understand the new digital channels allow for multiple programs. Is there more than just NBC 23 on the new digital channel?
A. Yes. The new channel has enough capacity to carry a full HDTV program AND additional non-HDTV digital channels.
Q. What about the other Valley stations? Will they be transmitting HDTV?
A. Yes. They have all began broadcasting on their digital channels. Like KVEO, some of their programs (but not all) are in HDTV.
Q. I'm told there are several versions of HDTV. How do I know which type receiver to buy?
A. There are indeed. Some are higher resolution than others. Some show fast motion better. Some allow more additional channels. KVEO is broadcasting in 1080i. It is among the very highest quality pictures available to broadcasters.
Most digital TV receivers can pick up all the different types of HDTV. They determine which is being broadcast and show you that version without you having to do anything. This will work even if different broadcasters in the same city choose different standards
Q. Where can I see HDTV?
A. Many retailers are now featuring HDTV receivers and monitors. And there are special retailers that deal with whole house audio and video.
Q. Will you be broadcasting HDTV 24 hours a day? And will it always be the same thing that's on NBC 23?
A. Most of the time, yes, we will air the same programs on KVEO-DT as we air on NBC 23.
Q. Are the new digital stations serving the same geographic areas as the existing stations?
A. When the government assigned the new channels to broadcasters for digital TV, their goal was to come very close to the same coverage as the stations had for their current channels. That effort wasn't perfect, but we seem to have about the same coverage as we have on Channel 23.
We’ve received a few viewer comments from folks outside our traditional coverage area that report they are able to watch our digital signal.
People who live 40 to 50+ miles away from the television station should be able to pick up a good digital TV signal if they use a properly installed, quality outside antenna located at least 25 feet in the air and in a clear area.
Q. Will local programs be broadcast in HDTV?
A.Most of our local programs will be converted to appear on the HDTV channel. We have not yet invested the millions of dollars necessary to produce most local programs in true HDTV.
Like the conversion to color, when there are more HDTV viewers, we will begin converting more local production to HDTV
Q. How do I tune-in the HDTV channels on my new HDTV (or set top box)?
A. Once you have your antenna connected to your new HDTV (or set top box), use the "scan" function on your remote and it should automatically find all the TV channels in your area. Our new digital HDTV channel is 23-1.
Q. What about the V-Chip and closed captions?
A. Both are operational on KVEO-DT.
Want to know even more about DTV & HDTV? Here is a list of additional websites.
NBC & HDTV
HDTV Magazine
