DTV Alert: Analog drops June 12 / KCPT goes to million watts in July
At 9 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2009, the era of analog broadcast television in the United States will end as the nation completes its transition to an all-digital system. KCPT and all other television stations in Kansas City will broadcast only digital signals after a.m. Friday.
If your TV has a built-in digital tuner, if you have hooked up a digital converter box with an antenna, or if you have cable or satellite service, your television reception will continue uninterrupted.
After the analog signals are turned off, KCPT will be able to reconfigure the existing digital transmitter for a slight increase in power. However, we are very excited to announce that KCPT is in the process of installing a new million-watt transmitter, which is scheduled for completion by mid-July. In the meantime, if you are experiencing reception problems, it may help point your antenna toward our tower at I-435 and 23rd Street in Independence.
KCPT appreciates your patience as we—and the entire country—make this historic technological shift. We also want to help answer your questions about the digital conversion. Please call us at (816) 756-3580, and we will be happy to assist you.
KCPT NOW OFFERS THREE DIGITAL CHANNELS AROUND THE CLOCK
This spring, KCPT will bring more quality public television into your home: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on three digital KCPT channels.
KCPT
Our flagship channel, KCPT (19.1), will continue to bring viewers the quality mix of local and national programs that Kansas City has come to expect over the past five decades. If you have a television capable of High Definition Television (HDTV), beginning on April 1 most of the content on this 24-hour main channel will be broadcast in Hi Def. If you own a Standard Definition television or an analog TV with a converter box, you'll still be able to see KCPT with a great image—it just won't be High Definition.
KCPT2
Also beginning April 1, we are very excited to bring KCPT2 (19.2) to your television, a 24-hour channel that will offer encore presentations of some of the best that KCPT and PBS have to offer, in addition to televising, on occasion, brand-new programs. This Standard Definition channel will also provide the chance for us to rebroadcast blockbuster PBS series such as Make 'Em Laugh, The Story of India, the Ken Burns films and more.
KCPT Create
One change that took place in February 2009 was the expansion of KCPT Create (19.3) to 24/7 broadcasting. KCPT Create provides expert advice on cooking, arts and crafts, gardening, home improvement and travel. Tune into this Standard Definition channel and be inspired to taste, grow, imagine, explore and live more fully.
CHANNEL 19.4 IS NO LONGER AN ACTIVE BROADCAST CHANNEL
In order for KCPT to expand its other three channels to 24-hour programming, the
bandwidth from digital channel 19.4 has been incorporated into KCPT (19.1), KCPT2 (19.2)
and KCPT Create (19.3).
We hope you enjoy these expanded and updated public television offerings and, as always, thank you for your support of KCPT!
Having trouble finding the three KCPT digital channels, including the re-formatted KCPT2? Here's where to look...
TV Provider
|
KCPT 19
(Standard) |
KCPT 19.1
(Digital High Def) |
KCPT 19.2
(Digital) |
KCPT Create 19.3
(Digital) |
Over-the-air (antenna) |
19.1 |
19.1* |
19.2 |
19.3 |
AT&T U-verse |
19 |
1019 |
N/A |
N/A |
Comcast |
|
240 |
241 |
242 |
DirecTV |
19** |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Time Warner Cable/MO |
11 |
1401 |
1402 |
1403 |
SureWest (Everest) |
11 |
601 |
602 |
603 |
*HD quality only available if you own a High Definition television; otherwise the picture appears Standard Def
**Available only if you subscribe to DirecTV's local package
N/A: Not Available (system does not currently carry)
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FAQs
What About My Analog TV? Will It Still Work?
After June 12, 2009, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box.
If I Already Have an Antenna, Do I Need a New One to View the Digital Signals?
A special antenna generally is not needed to receive digital signals. You may have antenna issues, however, if your current antenna does not receive UHF signals (channels 14 and above) well, because most DTV stations are on UHF channels. In such a case, you may need a new antenna or to add a UHF section to your existing antenna system. This equipment should be available at most bricks-and-mortar and Internet consumer electronics retailers.
How Do I Receive Digital Broadcasts If I Subscribe To Cable or Satellite?
If you receive cable or satellite television service, contact your cable or satellite provider about any additional components, such as a digital set-top box, that you may need to watch digital broadcast programming.
If I Buy a DTV, Will My VCR, DVD Player, Camcorder, Video Games, Or Other Equipment Still Work?
VCRs, DVD players, camcorders and video games will continue to work, even if they are only analog-capable. Such equipment, however, may not provide digital-quality picture and sound. Manufacturers are producing a number of different connectors to hook equipment together and improve picture and sound quality. Check with your equipment retailer to determine the types of connectors that will work with your equipment.
Information provided by the Federal Communications Commission.
More information may be found by clicking the links below:
Download more information. (PDF 316KB)
DTV Answers
The FCC DTV Website
The FCC DTV Fact Sheet
The U.S. Department of Commerce DTV Website
Public TV and the Transition
DTV Transition Coalition
Public Television Affinity Group Coalition Site
Antenna Information
Installing a Converter Box
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