Question: Will I need new equipment to view Digital TV?

You will need a digital receiver and possibly an antenna to receive an over-the-air digital signal. Most TV’s sold today and over the past couple of years already have the digital tuner on-board. If your set does not have a digital tuner and is receiving only analog signals, you will be able to purchase a digital converter box. After February of 2009, there will no longer be an over-the-air analog signal. Congress has made a commitment to help consumers pay for a converter box if needed. This program is still being finalized, but the federal government will cover at least a portion of the cost of a digital converter box for consumers. A converter box will make it possible for you to use your existing analog TVs for digital reception.

Question: Will I need a special antenna to receive the over-the-air digital signal?

No. Most antennas that you use for your current analog signal will work for Digital TV. Of course your reception will depend on your receiving location and the intervening terrain between your antenna and the transmission site on Lookout Mountain. Broadcast engineers from the Lake Cedar Group stations say if you receive a usable over-the-air analog signal now, you will more than likely receive an acceptable digital signal. The digital signal is also likely to produce better reception in some areas because of improvements made possible by the new digital transmission.

Question: What’s the difference between Digital TV and HDTV?

Digital TV signals make HDTV possible. High Definition TV uses more lines of resolution for a superior picture. To benefit from HDTV, you must have a High Definition set. Not all Digital TVs sold today are HDTV. You can use your existing analog TV for digital if you have a converter box for the over-the-air signal, or if you use satellite or cable for your TV viewing.

Question: What if I get my television from cable or satellite? Will I need a new TV or special equipment?

No. Satellite and cable operators are talking steps to provide signals of all channels both broadcast and cable to consumers who have analog and digital TVs. Check with your provider on their plans for the transition to digital. Even with cable or satellite if you want a High Definition picture, you’ll need an HD set.

Question: Are Denver’s other TV stations broadcasting from the consolidated Lake Cedar Group tower?

Only Channels 4, 7, 9 and 20 will be broadcasting from the new tower. Channels 2 and 31 are broadcasting in digital from their own facilities on Lookout Mountain. Channel 6 is broadcasting from Mount Morrison and Channel 12 is broadcasting from Squaw Mountain in Clear Creek County. Check with those and any other broadcasters should you have questions about their signals.

Question: Are the over-the-air digital signals on the same frequencies as the current analog signals?

The digital signals are on their own frequencies. Here’s a list of the analog and digital frequencies for Denver’s TV stations:

 

Call	Analog	Digital	Network
KWGN	2	34	CW
KCNC	4	35	CBS
KRMA	6	18	PBS
KMGH	7	17	ABC
KUSA	9	16	NBC
KBDI	12	38	PBS
KTVD	20	19	MyTV
KDVR	31	32	FOX
KCEC	50	51	Univision

 

 

Question: How do I know if I will need a digital-to-analog converter for my current TV set?

Television Manufacturers started installing digital tuners in some sets starting in 1997. Any set purchased today regardless of its size or technology (Plasma, LCD, DLP or Tube) will have an on-board digital tuner. If you have questions about your older TV consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer. Digital sets will carry the phrase “ATSC” either in the manual or on the set itself.  Analog sets will read “NTSC”. Some sets have both tuners on board.

Question: What are the coordinates for the consolidated Digital TV tower?

North Latitude: 39 Degrees 43 Minutes 51 Seconds
West Longitude: 105 Degrees 13 Minutes 54 Seconds

The tower height is approximately 7850 above sea level.