Is my tv a dtv?

How do you know if your current TV is ready for the switch to digital in February 2009? Norm Abram and Maria Hinojosa of PBS offer helpful tips to answer this question. You can also visit http://www.pbs.org/dtv for more DTV information or to watch the TV show Get Ready for Digital TV.

What if I need to return my converter box?

If you’ve purchased a new converter box with your coupon and find you need to return it, there are a few things you should know:

1. Retailers can not refund the full cash value of the box. If you return it, you will only get back what you paid over the $40 coupon.

2. You can only exchange your converter box for the exact same model. Even if there is another box of the exact same price, you will not be able to swap out for it.

3. If you return your converter box, you do not get another coupon to use at a different time. If you choose not to exchange the box for the same model, you will have to pay full price when you find the box you do want.

4. Most stores have a 30 day return policy. When you purchase your converter, be sure to try it out right away and save your receipt in case you do need to make a return.

I have cable or satellite. Why don’t I see KETC’s digital stations?

If you currently subscribe to cable or satellite, but do not receive PBS HD, PBS Kids or Create, it is likely that your provider does not carry these stations.

Some cable companies carry our HD channel for an extra fee, whereas others only carry PBS and Create.

If you’d like to receive all of KETC’s digital stations, call your cable or satellite provider and request they be added to the service.

Charter: 1-888-438-2427

DIRECTV: 1-800-494-4388

Dish Network: 1-888-284-7116

Awareness of Digital Television (DTV) Transition Reaches 94 Percent in Missouri

From DTVAnswers.com…

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) today released a new poll that shows most consumers in Missouri know about the nationwide switch to digital television (DTV), which will be completed on February 17, 2009.

Conducted March 29 through May 23 by Smith-Geiger LLC, the survey reported 94 percent of Missouri households were aware that full-power television stations will be switching their broadcast signals and programming to an all-digital format. Across the country, consumer awareness of the DTV transition is nearly universal at 90 percent. 

An estimated 478,030 homes in Missouri rely exclusively on over-the-air television, meaning they watch free TV broadcasts using rabbit ear or rooftop antennas. These households will need to take steps to receive a digital television signal by February 17, 2009, when all full-power stations must begin broadcasting only in digital. 

Among the survey’s key findings in Missouri:

• 94 percent of households are aware television is switching to digital
• 41 percent of households correctly stated the date of the transition
• 76 percent of households recalled seeing DTV messages on TV

Led by NAB, broadcasters nationwide are focusing their efforts on educating Americans about the actions they need to take to be prepared for the switch. Over-the-air viewers must either purchase a converter box or digital TV set, or subscribe to a pay service, such as cable or satellite. Local television and radio stations will continue running spots that highlight the transition date and the government‘s converter box coupon program, as well as explain the benefits of DTV and the ways consumers can upgrade to digital.

I hooked up my converter box and now I don’t receive Channel 9

If you’ve installed your new converter box and are experiencing problems with Channel 9’s signal, these suggestions may help:

1. With your converter box remote, enter in Channel 39. This is where KETC’s digital transmissions are sent. Entering 39 into the converter box can cause the digital tuner to re-scan and find Channel 9.
2. Most reception issues are caused by the direction your antenna is facing. Channel 9’s tower is located just west of Highway 21 and just north of the Meramec River. To find the exact positioning for your antenna, visit www.antennaweb.org and select “Choose an Antenna” on the front page.  This will let you know how strong the signal is in your region as well as the type of antenna you may need to pick up our digital stream. Outdoor antennas are always preferred, but an amplified indoor antenna may help.
3. If there are tall trees or buildings along the area where you have your TV and converter box set up, this could cause the stations to not come in. If possible, try to move your antenna away from these areas but be sure it is still facing in the right direction.

These remedies have worked for some viewers experiencing trouble with the signal. Let us know what has or has not worked for you, or if there is a specific concern you have. We are working hard and trying many approaches to minimizing these problems, and will keep you updated on our progress.

Why was my coupon application denied?

If you’ve tried to request your digital converter box coupons and your application was denied, here are some reasons why this may have happened:

1. You already requested coupons. DTV hotlines and web sites have taken applications for coupons since January 1, 2008 but many still haven’t received them. Thinking that their coupons are lost, many people try to request them again only to be denied.  This means that the government received your application and the coupons are scheduled for delivery.
2. You gave a P.O. Box as your street address on the application. If you have a P.O. Box you are eligible to receive a coupon, but you must also provide your street address even though you don’t receive mail there.  Reapply giving your street address and using your P.O. Box as your mailing address. 
3. One or more of your TV sets is connected to cable or satellite. Coupons are only available to households with no televisions hooked up to cable or satellite. This is because there is a limited number of coupons to go around, and cable/satellite users will not need a converter box to receive channels. Even if four of your TVs have antennas and only one has cable, the program will not recognize you as eligible.

Where are my coupons?

If you requested your digital converter box coupons all the way back in January and they have not arrived, don’t fret.  Coupons are mailed on a staggered basis, and the first batch didn’t mail until the last week of February.

For those who requested coupons more recently, know that they could take up to 12 weeks to arrive.

An easy way to find out where your coupons are is to log on to http://www.dtv2009.gov and click on “Where’s my coupon?”

You can enter your confirmation number to track your coupons. If you lost or forgot your confirmation number, simply enter your home address to find out where they are.  If you receive a message that says “coupon status not found,” you may need to apply again.