Q: Ever since we purchased an HDTV, I’ve been puzzled: The digital channel numbers seem to be the same as the analog ones, but I can’t tell what frequency they’re using. They all show their usual numbers in high definition. I’m confused.— Bill Eichelberger
A: You’re in large company, Bill, myself included. This whole digital TV conversion has us all spinning.
When the flip to all-digital signals happens Feb. 17, some stations will move to a different frequency, though your television will most likely show the old number. No need to be alarmed.
That is because some signals will contain information that your television — or converter box, if you don’t already have a built-in digital tuner — processes to alter the channel display.
For instance, Ch. 2’s digital signal will actually be at Ch. 34, but your TV will still display it as Ch. 2.
Other stations, however, have been granted the choice to transmit digitally on the same frequency as their analog. So Ch. 9, which currently offers its digital signal at Ch. 16, will remain at Ch. 9 when the switch-over happens in February.
The same for Ch. 7.
A great place to check online is , where you’ll not only see what the channel line- up will be but also the type of antenna you’ll need for your location.
All the UHF/VHF chatter confused me so that I thought a good high-gain UHF antenna was all you needed for the transition. Not so, because channels 7 and 9 have opted to keep their slots.
Fun, huh? So although you need a good UHF antenna to watch Ch. 9’s digital signal on Ch. 16 through Feb. 16, it won’t do so well the following day, when it flips entirely to Ch. 9 again.
Remember: If you have satellite or cable, you’re fine. No need for the antenna worry or a digital television.
