Program helps seniors stay tuned to DTV
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Posted: 5:39 PM Mar 5, 2009
Program helps seniors stay tuned to DTV
SHERMAN, TX ― If you know someone who isn't connected with a DTV converter box or having trouble, there is free help available for seniors in Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin counties.
Reporter: KXII-TV Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com
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SHERMAN, TX ― If you know someone who isn't connected with a DTV converter box or having trouble, there is free help available for seniors in Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin counties.

KXII has already made the transition from analog to digital, but in order for residents to successfully do that, they need a converter box and VHF antenna, or cable or satellite service.

As part of the "Keeping Seniors Connected Campaign," the area agencies on aging gave $5,000 to the retired senior volunteer program (RSVP) to help seniors with the DTV transition.

"It's about keeping seniors connected campaign, and we are trying to get as many people involved and get people signed up for the DTV coupons," RSVP director Julia Traweek says.

To get more information on how you or someone you know can get assistance on the DTV transition, check the links below.

On the Web:

KXII's DTV Transition Page

DTV Tech Help Page

Digital TV Converter Box Reviews, Ratings, Comparisons & Anything TV Related


The Digital TV Transition
February 17th, 2009, the era of analog broadcast television ended in the United States. While the change marked the end of the traditional analog method of broadcasting over-the-air television, it hasn’t signaled the end of free broadcast television. Your favorite broadcast programs and local television stations will still be available.

Consumers that subscribe to a "pay" television service such as cable and satellite have not been affected by the switch, but if you received analog television over the air or via an antenna, you’ll need to take action to continue watching your favorite stations, if you have yet to do so already.
What You Need to Know
TV sets that currently receive programming through cable or satellite are not likely to be affected by the transition to digital.

However, TV sets that rely on "over the air" broadcasting with an antenna (set-top or rooftop) to receive a signal will be affected by the cutoff of analog broadcasts in 2009. You will need to consider one of the following options:
  • Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box that plugs into an existing television. The boxes, which are expected to cost between $50 - 70 will be available for purchase in 2008. Beginning on January 1, 2008, U.S. households can request up to two coupons valued at $40 each. Each coupon can go toward the purchase of a single set-top converter box that will allow you to continue watching FREE "over-the-air" television on an analog set.
  • Subscribe to a cable, satellite or telecommunications service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service.
  • Purchase a new television set with a built in digital tuner.
Any of these steps will ensure that "over-the-air" television consumers will continue to receive programming.