Start here for a DTV Basic Overview for NewsChannel 10's Viewing area - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports

Start here for a DTV Basic Overview for NewsChannel 10's Viewing area

The digital television (DTV) transition is happening. At this time NewsChannel 10 and many other broadcasters are broadcasting Analog and Digital Signals.  By June 12, 2009 all full-power TV stations will be broadcasting in digital and they will shut down their Analog signals.

You can test your New TVs, your new Convertor box now by hooking them up and scanning for digital signals. In this test you will see all the Digital channels available to you for FREE. It is a good idea to have at least one TV set-up to recieve the FREE digital signals because Cable and Satellite can experience outages.

• KFDA - NewsChannel 10 will keep a Full Power Analog and a Full Digital power signal until June 12, 2009.
• KVII is continuing to broadcast Analog and Digital until June 12, 2009.
• KAMR and KCIT will keep their Analog signal going until some time into the future between Mid-March and June 12th
• KACV- PBS will turn off their Analog signal on February 17th. You can recieve the Digital signal now.
• All other Low power and Translator stations are not under any mandate to make a change. So contact your local station or Translator association for an update on the plans to switch to Digital.

In order to give all viewers the best quality television available and more efficiently allocate spectrum, the federal government mandated that television broadcasting switch to an all digital format by February 17, 2009, this mandate has been extended until June 12, 2009. Older television sets that do not have digital tuners, and that are not connected to cable or DISH satellite (Not Direct TV), will need a simple converter box in order to continue to receive free antenna television.

The good news is that people who watch antenna TV have three simple options to upgrade their sets in time for the transition to digital:

• purchase a new television set with a digital tuner (and some new sets are selling for under $100)
• purchase a converter box, which may cost between $40 and $70 (the Goverment is giving $40 coupons to offset this expense - See below) 
• subscribe to a pay television service like cable or DISH (Not DIRECT TV - No local channels are offered on DIRECT TV).

To keep things as simple and affordable as possible, the government is providing two coupons per household worth $40 each to be used toward the purchase of converter boxes. For more information on this program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.gov to apply online for your coupons today. (Everyone needs to get a convertor box. In case of emergency a convertor box will provide a way for you to get FREE over the air TV incase your paid service goes out or has a delivery issue to your home)

The switch to digital is a revolution in television - providing clearer pictures and amazing sound, as well as additional channels and information. And the best part is, all of this is available for free, just by ensuring your television is ready. Make sure you are ready for the switch to digital and be sure to inform your family and friends. For more information on the amazing transition to digital, visit www.dtvanswers.com or Call NewsChannel 10 at 806.383.1010 and ask to speak to the Chief Engineer or the General Manager.

If you are receiving your signal over translator, please call your translator association or call NewsChannel10 to get the latest and the status of your specific situation.

Call your local stations if you have any issues or questions on the Digital Switch. Now is the time to test your equipment. The FREE over the air signal is available now.

NewsChannel 10: 806.383.1010