DIGITAL TRANSITION

Question and Answer Guide 

You’ve probably been reading about the upcoming digital TV transition. If you’re like most folks, you may have some lingering questions, like:

• • Will my current television(s) continue to work?
  • How will digital TV affect my over-the-air or cable TV service?
  • Just what is the digital transition and how should I prepare for it?

Click! Cable TV is committed to providing you with all the answers.  As “your local choice,” our team of experts has answers tailored specifically for people who live in the south Puget Sound. If you do not find what you are looking for below, please call customer care  at 253-502-8900.

To ensure you’re ready for TV’s digital transition, check through the following question and answer guide.

Q: What is the new date set by Congress for the digital transition? 

A: Congress has set June 12, 2009 as the final deadline for ending analog broadcasts. Under the law, on Feb. 17, some full-power broadcast television stations in the United States may stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. The remaining stations may stop broadcasting analog sometime between March 14 and June 12.

Q: If I am a Click! Cable TV customer, what will I need to do?

A: The good news is...with Click! you can keep your current TV and won't have to do a thing. Every TV in your home with a cable connection will be OK! You will continue to receive the same service without the need for a converter box. However, if you have one or more TVs, perhaps the one in the garage or kitchen, still using "rabbit ears" or antennas, you will need to have it connected to a cable outlet. Right now, for our current customers, we are installing extras outlets for just $10 each.

Q: What do you mean by digital TV and digital transition?

A: In non-technical terms, digital TV is a newer technology and way of receiving television signals that uses less space. Digital TV signals provide clearer audio, improved picture quality and are intended to replace older analog signals because of the enhanced quality and the fact that they take less space (spectrum) to transmit and receive.
The “digital transition” is a government-mandated deadline whereby local broadcast TV stations must transmit their signals in digital-only format by June 12, 2009.  The FCC is requiring this all-digital transition in order to reclaim valuable over-the-air broadcast spectrum (air space) for public safety purposes.

Q: How will the digital transition affect my cable TV service?

A: As a Click! Cable TV customer, you will see no change in your broadcast channels immediately following June 12, 2009. Because Click! is converting the signal at our facilities you will see no change in service.

Q: What should I do first, to prepare for the digital transition?

A: First, take an inventory of all the televisions in your home. Even if you’re a cable customer, you may have one or more TVs that are not hooked up to cable, but instead are hooked up to an antenna. These secondary sets are probably analog sets that do not have digital tuners and won’t be able to receive digital signals that TV stations will start broadcasting in June 2009.

Q: How do I know if I own a digital TV?

A: All TVs purchased after 5-25-07 are digital unless it is indicated differently on the back of the TV. The best way to determine this is to check your TV owner’s manual. If that’s not possible, you may be able to check the manufacturer’s website or look on your TV for a connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (the acronym for the new digital TV format).

• Here are some general guidelines in determining if your TV is digital.
  • If you bought your TV before 1998, it probably doesn’t have a digital tuner.
  • If you bought a big screen projection TV between 1998 – 2004 it’s possible there’s a built-in digital tuner inside. Only a limited percentage of sets (those over 42 inches in diameter or larger) included digital tuners before 2004.
  • If you’ve purchased a new TV since 2004, your chances of having a digital tuner built-in are better.

Q: Will I have to buy a new TV?

A:  You will not have to buy a new TV. Consumers, who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting via an antenna on analog sets, will have options for continuing their television service after June 12, 2009:

1. If you have an older TV that uses an antenna, call Click! to have an extra outlet installed that will allow you to connect your TV to your cable line. We are currently installing extras outlets for just $10.00 each. 
2. If your TV is digital cable-ready (includes a cableCARD device or a slot for a device) and you don’t want a converter box, Click! can provide you with a cableCARD.

Q: What about the Digital Converter box voucher program the Government is offering?

A: Click! encourages you to contact federal resources through the website or toll free number below, to get the latest information about the converter coupon program.  Go to www.dtv.gov or call toll free 1-888-DTV-2009.

Q: What are the benefits of moving to a digital format?

A: There are many benefits of digital TV, like:

• • Customers get 100% digital quality audio and video on all channels.
  • Customers have access to on-screen parental control features that allow parents to choose what their children can view.
  • Customers have a user-friendly on-screen programming guide and access to 47 commercial free music channels.
  • Customers have access to video on demand which features a variety of free local content, free programming from popular cable channels and a large selection of new release and popular movies.
  • Click! Cable TV can provide improved service to our customers - we’ll be able to resolve many issues remotely.