It’s finally here. DTV-day.
Friday, millions of homes across America and nearly 1,000 high-power television stations will be all-digital. Decades of analog television will end.
For some, it’s not a moment too soon. The technological benefits possible through digital broadcasts will begin to flood the market. Videos, Internet, music. The list is never-ending and growing.
For others, mostly long-term users of free over-the-air broadcasts, the transition is a chore, an inconvenience they would rather see go away.
But it won’t.
The federal government says thousands of consumers won’t get any reception, no matter their efforts, because the signal simply won’t reach them, blocked by a tree, a gully or the aluminum siding on the house. It’s the way digital works. You either get it or you don’t.
The trouble is, no one will real ly know if it all works until Friday, when the transition happens.
And not all stations will switch off at the same time. It simply has to happen by the end of the day — 11:59:59 p.m. Most will start at noon and go throughout the day, according to the National Association of Broadcasters.
In Denver, nearly all are scheduled to flip the switch between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Due to make the final switch in Denver are KWGN-Channel 2, KCNC-Channel 4, KRMA-Channel 6, KDVR-Channel 31, KCEC-Channel 50 and KPXC-Channel 59.
Already converted are KMGH-Channel 7, KUSA-Channel 9, KBDI-Channel 12 and KTVD-Channel 20.
“We really think most people have figured it out by now,” said Danielle Dascalos, spokeswoman at KCNC. “We’re not expecting much trouble at all.”
Only free-TV viewers who rely on an antenna are affected by the transition. Cable and satellite subscribers are fine, as those providers will continue to transmit in analog or provide the equipment needed to continue without interruption.
Anyone with an analog television relying on antenna service will need a converter box that will change the digital signal to one the television can process. And consumers who use a DTV or HDTV will still need a good antenna to be able to draw UHF and VHF signals, though cable and satellite subscribers are not affected.
The government is still giving away $40 coupons toward the purchase of a converter box, as long as the supplies last. Visit to apply.
The transition is not expected to be painless, either, according to Michael Copps, acting chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
“There will be disruption,” Copps said Tuesday at a meeting of the FCC in Washington. “No one knows for sure how much . . . (or) precisely what it will take to help consumers recover.”
David Migoya: 303-954-1506 or dmigoya@denverpost.com
Getting help
Free FCC clinics on understanding DTV
Today: Radio Shack, Thornton Shopping Center, 3843 E. 120th Ave., 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. 303-252-9889
Thursday: Aurora Public Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway, 2 to 7 p.m. 303-739-6600
Friday: American Red Cross, 444 Sherman St., 1 to 6 p.m.
Monday: American Red Cross, 444 Sherman St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free mobile DTV clinics
Every day this week, noon to 8 p.m. Details at 303-693-8608:
• Best Buy, 4100 E. Mexico Ave.
• YMCA, 5181 W. Kenyon Ave.
• Senior Support Services, 846 E. 18th Ave.
Free in-home installation help
• KMAD Business Services Inc. 866-932-2758
• Green Planet 888-508-1115
• DTV Helpers North of I-70: 970-377-3884; south of I-70: 303-805-5293; e-mail: DTVHelpers@gmail.com
Free telephone installation help
• TeleTech Government Solutions for the FCC: 888-225-5322
