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Important Notice From NBC 10
NBC 10 WJAR ceased analog broadcasting on Feb. 17, 2009.
Viewers who rely on over-the-air service will need to use a digital television (DTV) receiver or converter box to receive NBC 10 programming. Converter boxes can be purchased from electronics retailers and online. Tune to UHF channel 51 for NBC 10's digital signal or use your receiver's channel scanning function. NBC 10 has completed its final digital facility. Viewers on the fringe of NBC 10's reception area who previously could not receive our over-the-air signal may be able to receive NBC 10 broadcasts.
If you subscribe to cable or satellite service, you should maintain reception.
For more information, please go to www.dtv2009.gov or contact NBC 10 at 23 Kenney Drive, Cranston, RI 02920 or by e-mail.
Other television stations in the Providence-New Bedford television market also made the transition to digital broadcasting ahead of the congressional deadline of June 12, 2009.
Providence-New Bedford is one of the top markets in the country for cable/satellite distribution, and it was among the top markets in digital readiness. More than 93 percent of the market receives its primary signal from cable, FiOS or satellite. Of the remaining 7 percent, many have digital-ready sets that have no need for the converter box. For those who do not own a newer model television, most viewers have installed the DTV converter box.
Antennas can be purchased from electronics retailers and online.
With the change from analog to digital transmission, radios that had the ability to receive the audio portion of analog television broadcasts have become obsolete. Portable televisions that receive digital signals are available from electronics retailers.
Call For Help:
If you have questions about the DTV conversion, you can call the FCC and speak with 24-hour live operators at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
Related Links
Download: Rhode Island Broadcasters Association News Release
Web Site: DTV Frequently Asked Questions
Web Site: R.I. Resource Recovery Corp: Television Recycling
Federal Converter Box Coupon Program
The last day to apply for a $40 coupon toward a converter box was July 31, 2009. Learn More
What Is Digital TV?
Digital Television (DTV) is a new broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with movie-quality picture and sound. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multi-casting, and interactive capabilities.
Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.
Who Will Be Affected
Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners will be affected by the transition.
Cable, Satellite Viewers Have Least Impact
Analog cable, satellite and telco viewers will not lose their broadcast signals and will be least impacted.
Cable, satellite and telco companies have been ordered by the FCC to carry all broadcast main and digital stations after the transition.
These companies must carry broadcasters’ high-definition signals in HD. Viewers may need to purchase a digital or high definition package from their cable/satellite provider.
What Can Consumers Do To Prepare
Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service:
1. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. (Government providing $40 coupons starting Jan. 2008).
2. Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner.
3. Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider.
The Transition to Digital TV
TV stations serving all markets in the U.S. are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through Feb. 17, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. At that point, some full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses. (Note: Congress has given stations the option to continue analog broadcasts until June.)
As of March 1, 2007, all new TVs must include digital tuners.
Analog TVs will need additional equipment to receive over-the-air television when the DTV transition ends
Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.
Questions?
If you have a question about the conversion to digital television, e-mail us at NBC 10. One of our experts will be able to answer question you might have.
Where To Find WJAR-DT
Watch WJAR-DT On These Cable Channels |
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| Cox Full Channel Verizon FiOS Comcast Thames Valley |
700 |
WJAR-DT broadcasts over-the-air on Channel 51 Regular Programming 51.1 Retro Television Network 51.2 |
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Converter Box Coupon
A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.
For more information about the converter box coupon program, call 1-888-DTV-2009. You can also read more on DTV Web site.
Consumer Reports tested several digital converter boxes. Read product guide and ratings.
Analog
• Date for transition to digital is Feb. 17, 2009. After that date, some stations will only broadcast digital signals. (Note: Congress has given stations the option to continue analog broadcasts until June.)
• Consumers will always be able to connect an inexpensive receiver, a set top box, to their existing analog TV to decode DTV broadcast signals.
• Set top boxes will not convert your analog TV to high-definition.
• Analog TVs will continue to work with cable, satellite, VCRs, DVD players, camcorders, video game consoles and other devices for many years.
DTV
• Digital cable or digital satellite does not mean a program is in high-definition.
• Digital pictures will be free from "ghosts" and "snow" that can affect some analog transmissions.
• Multi-casting is available.
• HDTV is available.
• Data streaming is available.
HDTV
• High-definition broadcasts offered.
• Best available picture resolution, clarity and color.
• Dolby theatre surround-sound.
• Dolby surround-sound.
• Wide screen "movie-like" format.
Publications
• DTV Shoppers Guide
• What Every DTV Consumer Should Know (.pdf)
• DTV Tip Sheet (.pdf)
