Digital broadcasting test set

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yranaivo@journalnet.com

POCATELLO -- Three local television stations are scheduling a one minute test Monday evening to prepare viewers for the nationwide switch from analog to digital television in February.

Channels 3, 6 and 8 will switch to a digital broadcast at 6:59 p.m. for 20 seconds. Station staff at Channel 6 said the move will allow local viewers to know if they need to change over to a digital reception method.

The brief switch won't affect households with digital TVs but will broadcast a black screen on sets still receiving analog signals.

Channel 6 will begin the entire one minute test by airing a 20 second broadcast informing viewers about the incoming interruption, project the black screen for another 20 seconds and then let viewers know what had previously occurred during the remaining 20 seconds.

The station will also operate a 12-line switch board allowing viewers to call in and inquire about the brief interruption on their analog television.

Bill Fouch, general manager at Channel 6, said all the operators may be busy during that period and urged viewers to be patient. Viewers can phone into the station Monday by calling 232-6666.

Rocky Hansen, the Channel 6 promotion manager, said the test gives local viewers a chance to plan ahead for the nationwide change in February. He said most new televisions come equipped with a digital tuner, while analog sets still need an antenna to pick up local channels.

However, viewers who are still using analog TVs don't necessarily need to go out and purchase a digital set.

Hansen said viewers can buy a converter box that will transmit the channels from the antenna and digitally broadcast them on the television set. Additionally, he said the federal government is offering $40 coupons to help pay for the digital boxes, which will also need to be equipped with ability to pass analog signals in order to work.

"There's a lot of older viewers who have had that (analog) TV for years," he said. "So, you may not need a new TV."

For more on the $40 coupons, viewers can visit www.dtv.gov.

By Yann Ranaivo

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