Benefits:

Digital Television, or DTV, has many benefits over standard analog television of the past.  DTV is more versatile and efficient than analog television and allows stations to broadcast more programming using less spectrum.  In the same bandwidth that a broadcaster currently provides one analog channel, a broadcaster may provide a super sharp “high definition” (HD) program, multiple standard definition (SD) DTV programs or both simultaneously. 

Providing several program streams in one broadcast signal is called “multicasting.”  Because the signal is digital, images are crystal clear and noise free.  Along with the improved images DTV provides comes improved sound that is far superior to analog television sound.  Digital TV has the ability to provide 5.1 channels of Dolby Digital CD-quality surround sound that creates a three-dimensional sound.  

Televisions come in two aspect ratios, 4x3 and 16x9.  The aspect ratio is the comparison of the screen’s width to its height.  Traditional analog TVs have a 4x3 aspect ratio.  In other words, the TV screen is 4 inches wide for every 3 inches of height.  Most new digital televisions are 16x9, or “widescreen.”  The 16x9 aspect ratio more closely approximates the look of movies and can make viewers feel like they are right in the middle of the action on their screens.

Digital Television Format Definitions:

High Definition TV (HDTV)
HDTV in widescreen provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all DTV formats.  A current analog TV picture is made up of 480 horizontal lines.  An HDTV picture can have up to 1080 lines, allowing for sharp picture detail.  The most common formats are 720p (“p” stands for progressive scan) and 1080i (“i” stands for interlaced).

Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)
EDTV is a step up from analog TV and SDTV.  Also called 480 progressive (480p), EDTV can be 16x9 or 4x3 format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as good as HDTV.  Most DVDs are encoded as 480p

Standard Definition TV (SDTV)
SDTV is the baseline display and resolution for both analog and digital TVs.  Transmission of SDTV is usually in the traditional 4x3 aspect ratio, but may be wide-screen 16x9.  SDTV and analog TV can deliver up to 480 interlaced (480i) resolution, although analog TV may be lower.

The Transition to Digital Television:

The DTV transition has two parts.  Broadcasters must upgrade to digital transmission, and viewers of over-the-air TV must upgrade to digital reception.

The federal government has established a hard transition date of February 17th, 2009.  As of that date broadcasters must turn off their analog signal and can only broadcast a digital television signal.  The analog television spectrum will be auctioned off by the federal government and also made available for advanced safety communication purposes. 

Analog TVs have been used since the beginning of television to receive and display programming.  Analog TVs will continue to work as they do today until the transition to digital is complete on February 17th, 2009.  Viewers with analog television sets will be able to purchase a decoder box to convert a digital signal to an analog signal, however, in order to experience crystal clear pictures, sound quality and future technologies such as interactive TV, it will be necessary to purchase a new digital television set.  All TV’s manufactured after March 1, 2007 are required to have integrated digital television (ATSC) tuners.

Additional information about digital television and tips for purchasing a digital television set can be found under the “Links to Additional Digital Television Information”.

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KCRG Digital Television History

KCRG’s primary digital television signal, KCRG-DT (over-the-air digital channel 9-1), began broadcasting ABC Television Network programming in High Definition to Eastern Iowa in January 2003 just prior to the 2003 Super Bowl. 

Since that time, ABC Television Network has continued to offer more and more HD programming which now includes most of ABC’s prime-time schedule and an increasing number of sports broadcasts. (Programs available in High Definition are noted with a red HD in our on-line schedule information – click on “full schedule” above.)

KCRG-DT’s signal originates from a 28,000-pound panel antenna mounted on the station’s 2000 foot transmission tower near Walker Iowa.  Tower modifications and installation of the DTV panel antenna were completed during the fall of 2002 following several years of planning and preparation.

In early August 2006, KCRG launched its first digital television sub-channel, Local 9.2 KCRG (over-the-air digital channel 9-2).  Local 9.2 KCRG is the first in the nation locally-focused digital sub-channel offering local news, local weather and information of local interest.

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I have an antenna and a HDTV, why can’t I see KCRG’s digital channels?
There are many factors that impact a viewer’s ability to receive digital television – Location, proper orientation of the antenna, proper installation of the signal wire from the antenna to the receiver, using the proper antenna, scanning for over-the-air digital signals with the digital television receiver. 

Key points to consider:
Is the Antenna pointed correctly? - Our digital signals originate from our primary transmission tower near Walker Iowa (not downtown Cedar Rapids).

Is the antenna capable of receiving digital television signals? – Currently available local digital television signals are UHF signals.  (after the digital transition KCRG will switch our digital signal to VHF channel 9).  In general a roof mounted antenna is the best option for maximizing signal reception.  Depending on your location, you may be able to get away with mounting the antenna in an attic.  Keep in mind that the signal strength you receive with an attic mounted antenna may be up to 50% lower than an outdoor mounted antenna because the signal has to go through shingles, sheathing and other building materials.

We don’t recommend round Omni directional antennas, stick/bar antennas or antennas that clip on the back of satellite dishes as our experience has been that they perform poorly in most locations.

When writing to us to inquire about your particular difficulties it is helpful to include as much detail as possible about your DTV equipment, antenna installation and the nature of the problem.

Comments and questions may be directed to Engineering@kcrg.com or Dan.Austin@kcrg.com.

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CNET’s HDTV World

More about Local 9.2 KCRG

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