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A message from WIWB:
Wisconsin’s CW (WIWB Suring/Green Bay) ceased broadcasting our analog signal at midnight on February 17th, 2009, prior to the DTV transition deadline of June 12th.
Viewers can continue to enjoy Wisconsin’s CW over-the-air with TVs that are DTV-ready, or with TVs connected to DTV converter boxes.
Viewers with cable or satellite providers will not be affected.
DTV converter boxes are available at electronics retailers throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Viewers may register comments or request information by mail at WIWB 975 Parkview Rd. Suite 4 Green Bay, WI 54304; by phone at 920-983-9014, or by email at Promotion@WisconsinsCW.com.
The FCC posted the following new DTV publications. Please click on the links to view:
Go to http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/. Type in your address and you'll be able to see the channels you should be able to get, and how strong the signals should be.
- Basic Guide to Setting UP Your Digital to Analog Converter Box: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/converterbox-analog-digital.pdf
-Setting up your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box with a VCR: http://www.dtv.gov/factsheets/converterbox_vcr.pdf
-Video Descriptions & the DTV transition. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvvideodescription.pdf
-Setting up your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (basic with twin-lead antenna wire) http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/setup-converterbox-balun.pdf
For a complete listing of all our DTV publications, and up to date information on the Digital Transition, please go to www.dtv.gov.
Wisconsin’s CW – Quick Facts about our Digital Signal:
Digital Transmitter Location
Our digital transmission site is located on in town of Glenmore SE of De Pere. We are co-located with WFRV and WLUK DTV. We are a side mount antenna with the major lobe positioned toward the West/NorthWest.
(Our analog tower was located 5mi.north of Pulaski on HWY 32.)
Digital signal strength
In September of 2009, Wisconsin's CW received permission from the FCC to nearly double the power of our digital signal. We're now broadcasting at that higher signal power.
Aiming for our Digital Signal
Digital is more sensitive than analog, and aiming is critical. A great resource can be found at www.antennaweb.org. Type in your address and the website will show you what channels you should be able to pull in, what antenna would be best for your location, and where to point your antenna for best signal strength.
Tip: make sure the UHF portion of the main beam of your antenna is properly oriented, with vertical elements to the rear.
Finding our digital channel
Most digital tuners will autoscan for available channels. However, if you have a digital tuner that doesn’t autoscan, you’ll need to turn to channel 21 to receive our station. It will appear in your program guide as 14.1.
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Station Name |
Digital Channel |
Displays as |
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Wisconsin’s CW |
21 |
14.1 |
The Digital “Cliff Effect”
One key difference between digital and analog: the effect of interference:
n With analog, signal interference would come across as a ‘snowy’ picture.’
n With digital, enough interfere will prevent the signal from coming at all. You either have the picture, or you don’t at all. There’s no in-between. It’s referred to as the “cliff effect”
Digital Signal Interference
A number of things can cause interference that can disrupt any digital signal. Large flat surfaces can cause reflective power. Structures like tall building, hills, and even trees can interfere with a digital signal, or even completely block it. The higher up you can raise your antenna, the better. Another tip: use good quality cable between the antenna and your tv.
Audio Sync Issues
It’s very frustrating when audio doesn’t sync up with the video.
If you have cable, software issues within the cable box can cause issues. Ask your cable provider if your cable box needs to be updated, or if the cable box’s software can be updated.
Home audio theaters can also occasionally cause sync issues.
For more information about audio sync issues, see the link below from Aug 7th, 2008.
ARTICLES/LINKS
Feb. 20th -- Consumer Reporters has a dedicated DTV section with some good info, including ratings on converter boxes: http://ConsumerReports.org/DTV.
Feb 13th -- Obviously there have been a ton of articles on DTV lately, what with the new June 12th date. I haven't linked much, because so much of it has been confusing or tentative. But here's a good article that sums up what's happened, and what to expect in the coming months.
Feb 2nd, 2009 -- The DTV transition will make some wireless mics illegal. Boy, that was news to me.
Jan 13th, 2009 -- Thought-provoking article about the DTV transition and the challenges ahead at MSNBC's Red Tape Chronicles.
Jan. 6th, 2009 -- A Washington Post article from Dec. 30th strongly urges everyone to submit for a coupon immediately, which may have lead to this next article ...
5th, 2009 -- Yikes! The DTV Coupon program ran out of money. Which isn't to say that you shouldn't apply for coupons if you need them -- you just may have to wait longer ...
Dec. 3rd, 2008: Great article in the Green Bay Press Gazette: Digital TV offers better picture, different problems
Nov 12th, 2008 -- a new study says that 29% of people think the dtv switch means all programming will be in HDtv. Not true. Many, if not most, of the shows will not be HDtv.
Sept 23rd, 2008 -- a CW station in Maine turned off their analog signal well before the February deadline. Here's an interview with the station's GMl, find out how it went, and what leads him to say, "It's the antenna, stupid."
Sept 17th, 2008 -- those DTV coupons might run out before Feb 2009 ...
Sept 17th, 2008 -- did you even know there are $40 converter boxes? The head of the FCC is asking retailers to carry 'em.
Aug 7th, 2008 -- DTV faces some challenges when it comes to lip sync. UPDATE: Sept 10: apparently, they're working on it.
July 18th, 2008 -- the Boston Globe talks about about reception problems with digital tv, and good antennas.
July 17th, 2008 -- the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal has good step-by-step instructions for making the leap to digital tv.
July 9th, 2008 -- in this article from March '08, Consumer Reporters gives some good information about the different converter boxes.
June 25th, 2008 -- the FCC is gearing up for DTV complaints ...
Some good information about digital tv and antennas here, from the NY Times article of April 24th, 2008.
The article references this excellent website: www.antennaweb.org. The site let's you know if you need an antenna, what kind, and where to point it.
This article talks about a potential problem with the DTV converter boxes -- some shows might appear too large or too small.
This New York Time article looks at how ready the nation is for the conversion to DTV.
A study suggests that up to one-third of US households will be impacted by the DTV conversion -- meaning as of right now, 1 in 3 Americans have a tv that will go to static come Feb 2009 unless they do something about it.
Wow, the US government runs out of stamps too -- apparently the converter box coupon program, anyway.
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